GBMWolverine: Coach's Corner -- Michigan Football -- Michigan at Illinois -- Preview

Posted at 6:00am — 11/10/2011

GBMWolverine: Coach’s Corner — Michigan Football — Michigan at Illinois — Preview

Last week is over, in more ways than one, and this week offers an opportunity for Michigan to win a fourth league game. It is hard to believe that it has been years since UM has won four or more league games. After all, as Coach Hoke, and others, have repeated in a semi-mantra, “this is Michigan for God’s sake.” The game is on the road, the second of a two game road swing for Michigan. Big Ten teams have not fared well on the road, and many have played poorly on the second road go-around. But games can be won on the road, and for many reasons Michigan needs to win this game.

The spread of this game is interesting, starting at Michigan giving three and jumping in some quarters to Michigan giving seven. This game has some variables that make such a call for a win or a winning margin a little on the difficult side. First, Illinois is clearly hard to predict, an opponent may get the Illini’s best, worst, or typical shot, more so is the performance spread than a typical opponent. Second, the Michigan offense against the Illinois defense may be the match-up most important to the final outcome. Illinois has some very strong defenders, and even though the team lost to Ohio State, that game showed that Illinois could hold its own. Yes, indeed, Ohio State was trying to take baby steps, and only threw one completion, but the only failure of the Illinois defense that game was to protect the edge and allow some yardage to a scrambling Braxton Miller. Michigan has struggled running at the edge and the Illinois defense has been very good up the middle. In summary, the match-ups in this scenario seem to benefit Illinois.

The Michigan defense must cope with a very good running quarterback, Nathan Scheelhaase, a skilled athlete who can ruin a defense’s good plans with his scrambling. This is the first of three straight mobile quarterbacks that may dictate more zone and less man coverage. Turn your back on a guy like this and if the line of scrimmage is broken gains of 20 plus yards could occur. Will Michigan spy; the guess here is only on crucial third down plays. Michigan is more likely to bring the pressure up the middle or from the edge, getting to Scheelhaase before his feet can find a nice path of escape. If Michigan gives up critical third down scrambles, the outcome could be a long day.

A trend has been for the Illinois offense to start slow and be further hindered by shaky special team play. Michigan cannot let the Illinois offense out of that box.

The Illinois running game, not including Scheelhaase, has been just all right. Jason Ford is a runner very similar to what is on the field for UM currently.

The passing game includes one of the biggest statistical players in the Big Ten, wide out A. J. Jenkins, who was described as outstanding and Ohio State defenders described as ordinary. Although a close look saw soon very physical play by the nut defense. Jenkins is strong enough and Michigan’s best will need to be on him. Floyd, Woolfolk, and Countess may all get a chance. Beware of ignoring Ford out of the backfield.

The Illinois defense is anchored by several high level players as is common in Coach Zook’s time in Champaign. This unit is the hardest playing and best unit on the field for the Illini. Michigan will be hard pressed to move the ball and better take an opportunity given and turn it into a score. If the Wolverine offense squanders opportunities like last week, giving up crucial turnovers at both ends, the result could mirror the Iowa game.

The preeminent question is does Michigan have an answer for one of the best players in the Big Ten, defensive end, Whitney Mercilus? Few have as this sack leader is closing in on a dozen sacks for the year. Can any lineman stand this guy off? Can Denard escape and turn a sack into a broken play gain?

One factor that can only be guessed at will be the game plan of Michigan and the execution level of said plan. That is a guess and with UM facing a very good defense, UM better have some answers this week, or November will be one to not remember.

Again, as GBMWolverine has pontificated for the last month, any win from here on in will be tough, doable, not guaranteed by any stretch, and the result of hard work.

Good luck to the Leaders, who of course play as a Legend. Anything else would be too logical to allow.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff

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