Michigan Football: 5 predictions for Wolverines against Illinois

Michigan’s running game asserts itself

There has been a lot of hype surrounding Zach Charbonnet, the Wolverines starting running back has seen his struggles over the last three games due to injuries.

He’s still averaging 4.3 yards per carry after his strong start to the season but over the last three weeks, he has had just 70 yards on 20 rushing attempts. His 13 attempts for 42 yards against Iowa is better than it sounds and this week, against one of the worst-run defenses in the Big Ten, he should have his second 100-yard game of the season.

The offensive line has improved dramatically the past two weeks and got a decent push against a very stingy Iowa defense. As previously mentioned, Illinois has given up more than 300 yards to both Nebraska and Minnesota, so UM should be able to take advantage.

It would be nice to see Shea Patterson come out and create some big plays throwing the football, but against a defense that struggles to stop the run, the Wolverines need to take advantage and with a stable of backs that includes Charbonnet, Christian Turner and Tru Wilson, they will.