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Michigan football: Everything you need to know about Illinois

By Matthew Helmkamp

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 05: Quarterback Brandon Peters #18 of the Illinois Fighting Illini warms up before the game against the Minnesota Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 05: Quarterback Brandon Peters #18 of the Illinois Fighting Illini warms up before the game against the Minnesota Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

As game six draws near, Michigan football is preparing for a familiar face in former Wolverine Quarterback Brandon Peters. Here’s what the Fighting Illini bring to the table.

Since assuming responsibilities as the head coach of Illinois, Lovie Smith – formerly of the Chicago Bears – has had a rocky start, to say the least. Smith managed three victories in his first season, and he followed up that stellar performance with two wins the second year. Progress was made in year three as Lovie and company put together four wins over the likes of Kent State, Western Illinois, Rutgers, and Minnesota. It’s terrible, and it’s only going to get worse for the 2-3 Fighting Illini when they show up to The Big House on Saturday. Michigan football will be prepared for an inferior opponent.

The last time the two competed against one another, Lovie’s squad was heavily overmatched and embarrassed in a 41-8 defeat at the hands of Jim Harbaugh. That game occurred in 2016 and brought the Wolverines winning streak over the Illini to four.

The streak began in 2010, which was the last time the university from Urbana-Champaign gave UM a true fight. Rich Rodriguez’s explosive offense featured Denard Robinson, who accounted for three touchdowns and 305 yards passing. In what was one of the highest-scoring games in NCAA history, the Wolverines dispatched Illinois in overtime, 67-65.

The last time Illinois defeated Michigan was in 2009 when Isiah ‘Juice’ Williams and the dominating Illini offense totaled 500 yards in a 38-13 route of the Wolverines. For those who are unable to do the math, it’s been nearly a decade since the last win.

Judging by the current situation from both camps, it will be another decade before the Wolverines fall again.

There is always a chance Lovie can pull off the upset – which ESPN places their chances at 8.9%. In the real world, the possibility of a victory is much higher. Michigan will arrive on the road as a heavy favorite, knowing they are one week away from another away game at night against Penn State.

Proper preparation and concentration on the task at hand are vital for a UM win.

As the team readies, we take a look at what Illinois brings to the table as they try to break the four-game losing streak.

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