Michigan vs. Illinois: Last Minute Spread Info, Line, BCS Impact and Predictions

The Michigan Wolverines are going on the road again to take on the Illinois Fighting Illini this week.

Things haven’t been good for Michigan on the road this year and they have only one win away from the Big House.

They are going up against an Illinois team that is hurting right now after suffering three straight losses.

It should be a good one and very evenly matched, so hopefully we’ll see a game reminiscent of last year's triple overtime thriller.

Where: Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL

When: Saturday, Nov. 12 at 3:30 p.m. EDT

Watch: ESPN/ABC Regional/ESPN3

Spread: Pick ‘Em (According to ScoresAndOdds)

I like Illinois here.

They are playing home in Champaign and Michigan has only won a single road game this year against Northwestern.

Michigan lost away from the Big House to Michigan State and Iowa and seemingly always struggles on the road in recent years.

Illinois is on a three game losing streak but only one of those losses has come at home against a feisty Ohio State team.

These teams played to a very close 67-65 Michigan triple overtime win last year in Ann Arbor but the Fighting Illini whooped up on the Wolverines 38-13 last time this game took place at Memorial Stadium.

This leads me to like Illinois in a pick ‘em.

Over/Under: 49.5 (According to ScoresAndOdds)

Over.

These two teams are both highly capable of manufacturing points.

While their defenses are relatively good this season, (Michigan gives up 15.7 points per game and Illinois just 17.2) I see them going back and forth in a shootout on Saturday.

The last time they took the field it totaled up to 132 points, an insanely large number inflated due to overtime, but the O/U was just 58. Look for this game to be a high-scoring affair.

Key Injuries via CollegeInjuryReport.com

Michigan

RB Fitz Toussaint – PRB (Shoulder) – The leading rusher for the Wolverines was held out last week against Iowa with a “bruised up” shoulder. The sophomore should take the field again this week and it’ll be just in time.

OL Ricky Barnum – PRB (Ankle) – The starting offensive lineman missed last week, as well, but should return against the Illini. Michael Schofield will replace him again if he cannot go.

Illinois

OL Hugh Thornton – DBT (Knee) – Thorton had his knee “scoped” last week and most likely won’t be able to play this week. Tyler Sands is his backup and should start.

BCS/Top 25 Poll Implications

Michigan is still very much alive in the BCS rankings and race for the Big Ten Leaders division.

They are sitting at No. 24 in the BCS polls and also in a tie with Nebraska for second behind Michigan State for the division. At 7-2 overall, Michigan could win out and find themselves in the Big Ten championship game and a BCS bowl still.

Illinois would need a lot of luck and need to go undefeated for any chance of playing in one of those big bowls but a win over Michigan isn’t a bad start.

Keys to Michigan Win

They need to limit turnovers and keep Denard Robinson on the field.

Robinson is an electric playmaker who can make plays in the passing game, as well as with his feet.

Michigan State and Iowa were able to contain Denard and that is the biggest reason why the Wolverines faltered in those two games.

If Denard has a good day, Michigan wins.

Keys to Illinois Win

Nathan Scheelhaase is probably the second best dual-threat QB in the nation behind Robinson and can make just as much of an impact on the game if he is on fire.

If he can out-duel Robinson and his defense can get him the ball more times than the opposing QB, he will lead the Illini to victory.

Prediction

Michigan 37, Illinois 39 in overtime.