College Sports

College football preview: Michigan at Illinois

Posted November 10, 2011 11:00 pm

By Mike McGraw

mmcgraw@dailyherald.com

Michigan (7-2, 3-2) at Illinois (6-3, 2-3)

When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium

TV: Channel 7

Radio: WIND 560-AM.

Series: Michigan leads 67-23-2 and won 67-65 in 3OT last season.

Coaches: Ron Zook (34-48, seventh year at UI); Brady Hoke (7-2, first year at Michigan).

Players to watch: Michigan QB Denard Robinson is known for his running, but he threw for 305 yards against Illinois last season. Robinson and RB Fitzgerald Toussaint rank fifth and eighth, respectively, among Big Ten rushing leaders. … In his last three games, Illini LB Jonathon Brown has produced 39 tackles, 2 ½ sacks and 1 forced fumble.

The skinny: The Illini haven’t won a game since Oct. 8 at Indiana and have scored a combined 28 points in their last three losses. In three games against the Rich Rodriguez-coached Michigan teams, Illinois averaged 49.3 points, but this one could be different story. This Wolverines defense is allowing just 15.7 points per game.

Fast fact: Illinois is 11-16 in games following a week off.

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