Michigan Football vs Illinois: Important Takeaways from the Wolverines Win

Michigan football beat Illinois 41-8 Saturday at the Big House, here are three important takeaways from the Wolverines win.

The Michigan football team was off last week. But despite not playing for 14 days, the Wolverines showed no sign of rust and easily dispatched of Illinois 41-8 at the Big House.

Against a clearly inferior opponent, Michigan football dominated. The Wolverines defense bullied the Fighting Illini and the offense ran the ball, seemingly at will.

It wasn’t quite the blowout that the Rutgers game turned into. But with a 31-0 lead at halftime, the outcome was decided quickly.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh, never afraid to be unconventional, ran a fake punt up 34 points in the fourth quarter and it’s become a trending topic.

It’s too bad because there are a number of other talking points, well worth paying attention to. One, is that the running game for the Wolverines continues to dominate — another is how Wilton Speight continues to take his game to the next level.

Young players stepped up and took advantage of early opportunities, with the score still in doubt and delivered with flying colors.

Jabrill Peppers may not have had a splash play, but he was solid as ever on defense and helped limit Illinois to just six first downs.

At some point, maybe the Wolverines will get a challenge. Many thought it would come next week with Michigan State, but the way this team is playing, who knows if the Spartans can hang.

One thing I do know, the Wolverines are getting better each week and look on a mission to prove that they are the best team in the country.

With that said, here are three takeaways from Michigan’s victory.