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Free Press sports writer Tony Garcia looks ahead to Michigan football’s road contest against Illinois in a top-25 matchup on Saturday in Champaign, Illinois, on the heels of its first bye week of the season.
Michigan Wolverines running back Donovan Edwards scores a touchdown against the Washington Huskies during the second quarter at Husky Stadium on Oct. 5, 2024 in Seattle.
Matchup: No. 22 Michigan (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) vs. No. 21 Illinois (5-1, 3-1).
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. Saturday; Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois
TV/radio: CBS; WXYT-FM (97.1).
Line: Wolverines by 1½.
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Know the foe
Illinois appeared to be in look-ahead mode Saturday and as a result it barely escaped a lousy Purdue team in overtime, 50-49. The Illini were up 27-3, then fell behind in the final minute, only to kick a tying field goal as time expired and win in overtime after the Boilermakers failed on a 2-point conversion.
Illinois has wins over Kansas and Nebraska on the road. Even the Illini’s loss, 21-7 at undefeated Penn State (now No. 3 in the country), was tight until the final moments.
Luke Altmyer of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 20, 2024 in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Illinois is tied for No. 49 in scoring (31 points per game) and No. 76 in total offense (382 yards per game), and appears more likely to attack through the air than on the ground, not only because that’s its strength, but also because it’s the Wolverines’ weakness. Illinois enters play with the No. 58 ranked passing attack (242.5 yards per game) and the No. 87 rushing offense (139.5 yards per game). U-M is No. 3 in the nation in run defense (76.3 yards per game) but No. 110 in pass yards allowed (259.8 yards per game).
Quarterback Luke…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-football-faces-start-seasons-100920520.html
Author : Detroit Free Press
Publish date : 2024-10-14 10:09:20
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