Here is a look at the University of Michigan’s Week 7 matchup.
Who: No. 16 Michigan (4-1, 2-1 Big Ten) at Illinois (2-3, 0-2)
When: Saturday, noon
TV: ABC
Radio: WMIM 98.3 FM
Line: Michigan by 21
Over/under: 50 1/2
Series: Michigan leads 70-23-2
Key matchup
Michigan vs. Looking too far ahead. The Wolverines have more talent than Illinois, but that doesn’t mean they can look past the Fighting Illini. Penn State looms next week, but Michigan will need to come out with the same energy it did at home against Rutgers two weeks ago in another game in which the Wolverines were the better team. Illinois may not do anything to make Michigan lose, but the worst case scenario here would be the Wolverines beating themselves due to a lack of focus.
Players to watch
■ Michigan: Defensive back Daxton Hill. The true freshman was the top recruit in Michigan’s 2019 class, and has gradually earned more playing time over the last few weeks. After starting out playing mainly special teams this season, coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday that Hill was Michigan’s top nickel now. He has 11 tackles so far this season.
■ Illinois: Quarterback Brandon Peters.The former Michigan quarterback transferred to Illinois in the summer and was named the Fighting Illini starter. Peters was the first quarterback Harbaugh signed as Michigan’s head coach, but when Shea Patterson transferred, Peters was pushed down the depth chart. This season at Illinois, he’s thrown for 797 yards with 10 touchdowns and four interceptions. He has also rushed for an additional two scores. His status for Saturday’s game remains uncertain, as he suffered an upper-body injury in Illinois’ 40-17 loss to Minnesota in Week 6.
Did you know?
Michigan’s 70 wins against Illinois make it one of the programs the Wolverines have had the most success against in program history. Michigan also has 70 wins all-time against Michigan State, and the only program Michigan has more wins against all-time is Minnesota (74).
First Published October 8, 2019, 5:58 p.m.
