The Illinois game will be a defining moment for Michigan football

Michigan football will take part in a top-25 matchup on Saturday as the Wolverines will pay a visit to Illinois, a team that's 5-1 overall with just one loss in the Big Ten.

Michigan football is 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten. The Wolverines have the same record as Ohio State in the league, but nobody in their right mind would compare to the two teams right now.

However, the Wolverines did have a bye week. Maybe they found a way to fix some things. The defense needs to get more vanilla. It has elite players so let them be elite.

The offense needs Jack Tuttle to be the guy who led three straight scoring drives against Washington. He doesn't have to carry the offense. He just needs to make the plays that are there, take care of the ball, and get points.

The offense has to get into the 20s for this team to win. Then, it's up to the defense. There could be as many as four first-round picks on that side of the ball. There are a bunch of early-round picks on the defensive line, so there is no reason to rank among the worst teams in explosive plays allowed.

Illinois will be another test. Most didn't expect this to be a top-25 matchup at the start of the season but Illinois is ranked No. 22 with just one loss to Penn State, while Michigan is ranked 24th. It's basically a toss-up according to the Vegas oddmakers and for Michigan football it's a huge opportunity.

The Wolverines need to find an identity on offense. They might have with Tuttle and if the defense can quit making so many mental errors -- another reason to go simple -- this team could get hot.

The next two games are critical for Michigan football

The next two games are critical. Beat Illinois and Michigan State, and suddenly, the Wolverines are back in the top 20 with Oregon coming to town. Somehow winning that game and losing a competitive game at the Shoe could be enough to get consideration for the playoff.

Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, the Wolverines need to win this weekend. Otherwise, they'll be fighting to get to a bowl game in November, instead of fighting to stay in playoff contention.

The Washington loss was troubling. That game was right there for the taking. That could be viewed as encouraging until Iowa dominated Washington. That makes you thankful at least that Michigan doesn't have any more long road trips.

It just feels like there is a massive difference between 5-2 and 4-3 for Michigan football and that's why this game is so important to the rest of the season.

It will either start a playoff push or end it once and for all.