Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
Illinois' nightmare ended on Halloween. Michigan's might just be getting started.
You figured the Fighting Illini wouldn't go through the season winless in Big Ten play. But they deserve a lot of credit for really dominating Michigan in the second half en route to a 38-13 win. Senior quarterback Juice Williams finally had something go his way, as he shredded an increasingly bad Michigan defense with both his arm and his legs. Running backs Mikel LeShoure and Jason Ford were terrific as Illinois piled up 378 rushing yards on a whopping 55 attempts. Wide receiver Arrelious Benn finally scored a touchdown (!), albeit a rushing score.
The wheels are falling off for Rich Rodriguez and the Wolverines, who dropped to 1-4 in Big Ten play. Michigan repeatedly stubbed its toe in the red zone and fumbled three times in the loss. Greg Robinson's defense is terrible and the Wolverines' quarterbacks aren't much better, and the schedule only gets tougher from here. With an NCAA investigation pending and Rodriguez facing another un-Michiganlike season, things could really turn sour in Ann Arbor very quickly.
Illinois' nightmare ended on Halloween. Michigan's might just be getting started.
You figured the Fighting Illini wouldn't go through the season winless in Big Ten play. But they deserve a lot of credit for really dominating Michigan in the second half en route to a 38-13 win. Senior quarterback Juice Williams finally had something go his way, as he shredded an increasingly bad Michigan defense with both his arm and his legs. Running backs Mikel LeShoure and Jason Ford were terrific as Illinois piled up 378 rushing yards on a whopping 55 attempts. Wide receiver Arrelious Benn finally scored a touchdown (!), albeit a rushing score.
The wheels are falling off for Rich Rodriguez and the Wolverines, who dropped to 1-4 in Big Ten play. Michigan repeatedly stubbed its toe in the red zone and fumbled three times in the loss. Greg Robinson's defense is terrible and the Wolverines' quarterbacks aren't much better, and the schedule only gets tougher from here. With an NCAA investigation pending and Rodriguez facing another un-Michiganlike season, things could really turn sour in Ann Arbor very quickly.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Adam Rittenberg
Rittenberg joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four years at the Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald, where he covered sports at Notre Dame, Northwestern, DePaul and several other colleges. He lives in Chicago.
BIG TEN SCOREBOARD
Friday, 11/27
12:00 PM ET Illinois 5 Cincinnati
