Michigan Football: 4 questions facing Wolverines against Illinois

Will Michigan football overlook this one?

Illinois comes in on a three-game losing streak (one of those losses having come to Eastern Michigan) and ranks just 81st in S&P+. But that’s exactly the point.

If you’re a believer in trap games, this Saturday is the closest thing to one (and maybe the only one) Michigan has left on its schedule. The Fighting Illini aren’t a good team, and with the Penn State-Notre Dame gauntlet looming, this is a game the Wolverines might struggle to get up for.

But that thing about Illinois not being *good* might not matter in a vacuum in which the Wolverines do get caught looking ahead. There are playmakers here — Reggie Corbin averages 6.6 yards per carry and USC grad transfer Oluwole Betiku already has seven sacks on the season. Furthermore, Illinois hasn’t had a winning season or beaten a ranked opponent in eight years. There’s no fear that the Illini will struggle to get up for this game. It’s their Super Bowl. Michigan’s isn’t for another seven weeks.

Saturday’s contest will test Michigan just as much as last weekend did but in a different way. The Wolverines seem to always roll over teams like Illinois, usually doing so with sheer talent. But that hasn’t been enough to beat the Ohio States and Wisconsins of the universe.

If Michigan can come out and dominate as it should, it’d be a positive harbinger for this team’s ability to gain a mental edge when it needs one the most, as well as allow its fans to enjoy a stress-free Saturday.