| The Illini beat Michigan in 2008 and 2009, their first back to back wins in the series since the 50s, and then scared them with the 67-65 barnburner in 2010. Since then Michigan has put the series back on track with three wins by a combined score of 117-22. It's unclear whether they will have to face old friend Brandon Peters, former program savior, who has not yet cleared concussion protocol. He hasn't exactly lit the world on fire, ranking 14th of 15 qualified Big Ten quarterbacks in Total QBR. If he can't go, it's likely redshirt freshman Matt Robinson, who saw extended time against Minnesota once Peters went out, and didn't exactly impress. He completed 51% of his passes, barely even tried to go downfield, and was sacked 3 times. I think everyone knew that if this team couldn't run the ball, they'd be in big trouble, considering how bad they were last year even with an elite running game. This probably isn't the week to get that sorted out. Michigan's defense hasn't allowed a touchdown in their last 9 quarters. Last week made it clear that the offense is not fixed, not even close, but I think it also changed what we thought Michigan's defensive ceiling was. If the thought was they could be good, maybe even very good, but not great or elite, that appears to be wrong. The improved play of the line is the major reason, as the Hawkeyes were not able to get any run game going, and Nate Stanley was pressured unlike I think I've ever seen any quarterback get harassed behind an Iowa offensive line. The hopes that the Rutgers game fixed the offense? Not so much. Shea Patterson had another bad game, down to #9 in the Big Ten in Total QBR, #10 in raw QBR, although the major culprit continues to be the offensive line, which is probably the most disappointing positional unit of any team in the Big Ten thus far. They have the talent, they have the coaching, it baffles me why they simply cannot open any holes for the run game, and remain in the bottom quarter of the FBS in sack rate. Oddly, Indiana always gives Michigan problems (Wolverines won the last four by 11, 7, 10, 7), but aside from that, the only time in Harbaugh's tenure that a team with a losing record stayed within 3 touchdowns of Michigan was the Michigan State game in 2016. Michigan puts their foot down when they should every time. |
