No. 3 MI has proven ability to focus on any opponent

The run game has been spread out, with four different players posting over 250 yards this season.

Crouch started last Saturday at Rutgers, but didn’t put up quite the impressive numbers that he did against Purdue, completing 6 of 14 passes for 92 yards, one touchdown and one interception against the Scarlet Knights while only managing 25 rushing yards on 11 carries.

Here’s all the information you’ll need to find the game on TV or streaming online.

For those that want to watch MI and IL, the game can be seen on TV on the Big Ten Network. Jabrill Peppers has starred on the defensive end and Wilton Speight directs the offense for MI, which draws a struggling IL team in what should by all accounts be a very winnable game. Despite not having the athletes, IL coach Lovie Smith’s defense has been average, which is more than a number of Big Ten teams can say. “It was tough to throw”.

Well, it looks like IL will start its third-string quarterback today at MI.

According to the Champaign News-Gazette, Jeff George, Jr., will earn his first start for the Illini on Saturday at No. 3 MI.

Chayce Crouch replaced Lunt and played well against Purdue, a game IL lost in overtime. Allen’s aggressive 4-2-5 defense allowed IN to beat Michigan State, play Ohio State close into the fourth quarter and give Nebraska a scare. Fullback Khalid Hill ran for three touchdowns while Karan Higdon, Jabrill Peppers and Ty Isaac added two each as the Wolverines tied a program record by rushing for nine TDs in the victory over Rutgers.

Lovie Smith is off to a 2-4 start at IL, has QB issues and undoubtedly still wringing his hands over losing at home to Purdue. He was 0 for 7 in the first half with an interception.

“I don’t remember any meetings we had in NFL”, Harbaugh said. Going through the entire first half without a completion, the Wolverines finally conceded a completion and yardage through the air midway through the third quarter.

“He told me to get my mind right and get my emotions in check”, the freshman said.

“As a dad to just have him around, that’s been just an unbelievable experience”, the older Nickerson said. MI led 31-0 at halftime. Speight acknowledged that the team has to learn how to not “give the opponent any sense of life” after building a big lead. The Wolverines are playing high-stakes football, climbing to their highest spot in the poll in a decade, desperately seeking at least their first Big Ten title since 2004.

Kicking off: Kenny Allen lost his field-goal kicking job in the Wisconsin game when he missed his first two attempts and Ryan Tice was given a chance before he missed. Aaron flipped the coin before the game.

TAKEAWAYS: Smith came to IL preaching the takeaway philosophy his Bears teams relied on and the Illini are tied for fourth in the country in turnover margin at plus-eight.

IL provides another opportunity, especially with the Wolverines’ game next week against rival Michigan State on the road and next month’s showdown at No. 2 Ohio State.

“Those last couple seconds are still boiling”, De’Veon Smith said.