Five Keys To Defeating The Illinois Fighting Illini

1) Run the ball

Michigan has been very successful running the football this season when they are persistent with that type of attack.  Michigan has been most successful with teams that struggle against the run, and Illinois is one of those teams.  The Illini have the worst defense in the Big Ten, including the worst run defense.

Michigan has to get Brandon Minor, Carlos Brown and Denard Robinson into this game in designed downhill rushing situations to set up the sweeps and the passing game.  Illinois' front should be susceptible to the type of attack Michigan runs, and the personnel executing it.

2) Get back to the basics and stick with what works

Rich Rodriguez and the Michigan staff need to go back to the basics.  They need to go back and look at the first game vs. Western Michigan where the momentum really started, and understand what really got the offense going.  They need to do this, because offense is what will win THIS game in particular.

If Michigan's offense plays at it's optimum level against Illinois defense they will score points and win the game.  The basics are allowing Tate Forcier to take over by any means possible.  He has looked like a 'robot' as of late, similar to Pryor.  Things are looking forced and at the same time Forcier seems like he is playing scared.

Let him scramble and play aggressive, even with the risk of injury.  They need to have a lot of designed mobile passing and sideline passing.  More aggressive play calling will help create big plays.

3) Set the tone

Sometimes it looks as if Michigan is allowing the schemes and play of the other team to dictate what Michigan does.  Michigan needs to be patient within games offensively at times where it hasn't been, but they also need to be more aggressive at attacking running and passing lanes. Even it doesn't seem to be working at first, it will work eventually if we are persistent.

Forcier needs to scramble out or bootleg by design and then let the play develop outside of the pocket.  These quick plays that are dictated by timing will set up plays that allow Tate Forcier to be more patient and allow the game to come to him.

4) Plays need to be allowed to develop

Many of the plays are setting up slow and then becoming erratic at the point of offensive attack.  What we are seeing is a lack of aggression on one hand, and then a lack of patience on the other. 

When they run more rollout passing off of play action, it allows them to be more decisive and aggressive as opposed to the opponent setting the tone, but at the same time gives the skill players more space to create yards and allow the play to develop.

Basically the seeming contradiction of being more aggressive and more patient within the same game are more of a contextual juxtaposition.  In other words we need to set the tone by keeping the defenses guessing.

5) Game plan around the quarterback

Juice Williams will most likely be the starter, and they will most likely run a scheme similar to Michigan's.  Michigan's defense will undoubtedly continue to give up big plays, and execute poorly on third down at times.

The key is how Michigan attacks the quarterback and what they force him to do. Juice needs to be forced into sacks, bad decisions and bad throws.  If Michigan can contain Illinois, stop them cold in the red zone, and force sacks and turnovers that will be the key to the game.

Whoever wins in the trenches and wins the turnover battle most likely wins this game. I give the edge to the Wolverines.

Prediction: Michigan 34, Illinois 24.