Illinois

Break out of the funk

Illinois’ passing offense has struggled this year and has yet to assert itself for too long of a stretch. If the Illini want to win against the Wolverines, they will have to be at least proficient enough to get Michigan’s defense out of the box so that running back Rashard Mendenhall will have room to work with when Illinois runs.

Force Michigan’s hand

Although Illinois’ defense is predicated on making the opposition one-dimensional and reliant upon the pass, doing so this week will be especially important against arguably the best back in the nation in Mike Hart.

Michigan

Wear your Hart on your sleeve

Michigan’s Mike Hart is far and away its best weapon and has been able to run on defenses for his entire career. The aptly named Hart is a powerful runner in a small frame that has gotten the job done this year and should have a big game if the Illini defensive front can’t slow him down.

Follow the Hawkeyes’ blueprint

Iowa did a great job of limiting Rashard Mendenhall and forcing Juice Williams and Eddie McGee to make plays with their arms and legs. If the Michigan defense can do as the Hawkeyes did in Iowa City, Iowa, last weekend, it stands a good chance of forcing the Illini offense into another stagnant performance.

History

Saturday’s night game is the 89th meeting between the Illini and the Wolverines. Michigan holds a commanding 65-21-2 advantage and has not lost in Champaign since the 1983 season – the last time the Illini were invited to the Rose Bowl. The Illini have not beaten the Wolverines since 1999. Zook has faced Michigan once as a head coach. He lost to the Wolverines 38-30 as head coach of Florida in the 2003 Outback Bowl.