Michigan-Illinois at a glance

Posted: 10.28.2009 at 11:49 PM

(AP) --
      Michigan (5-3, 1-3 Big Ten) at Illinois (1-6, 0-5), Saturday,
3:30 p.m. Eastern
      Line: Michigan by 7½.
      Series Record: Michigan leads 66-22-2.
      Last Meeting: 2008. Illinois won 45-20.
      What's at Stake
      A year after finishing with three wins, the Wolverines are a
victory away from bowl eligibility. With games against Purdue,
Wisconsin and Ohio State to follow, this is Michigan's best shot to
get there. Illinois just wants to end its five-game losing streak
and find something - anything - good to build on.
      Key Matchup
      Michigan running attack vs. Illinois run defense. The Wolverines
lead the Big Ten with 219.4 yards a game and a conference-best 22
touchdowns. Carlos Brown and Brandon Minor (who is struggling with
ankle and foot injuries) have combined for 693 yards, but six
Wolverines have at least 25 carries and 180 yards this season.
Illinois, with middle linebacker Martez Wilson out for the year,
gives up more running yards than any other Big Ten team (185.2
ypg).
      Players to Watch
      Michigan: Quarterback Tate Forcier. He needs a return to the
form that saw him throw for 437 yards and five TDs in his first two
games. In his last two Big Ten games, against Iowa and Penn State,
the freshman is 24-of-61 passing with four interceptions and one
touchdown.
      Illinois: Quarterbacks Juice Williams (senior) and Jacob Charest
(redshirt freshmen). In his first college game action, Charest led
Illinois on a long drive last week while spelling the erratic
Williams, and coach Ron Zook says both will play this week.
      Facts & Figures
      Illinois quarterback Juice Williams set the Michigan Stadium
offensive production record in last year's Illini win with 431
yards. ... Michigan has won eight of the last 10 meetings between
the teams. The Wolverines haven't lost in Champaign since 1983. ...
Michigan is scoring 33.9 points a game, tops in the Big Ten. ...
The Illini are last in the conference in scoring at 16.1 points a
game.