Staff Score Predictions: Michigan vs. Illinois

Michigan is expected to roll against Illinois later today so it's more about how the game plays out than it is the actual score on the board.

Michigan will take the field against Illinois in Champaign later today as 22.5-point favorites. After a dominant performance over a bad Rutgers team, Michigan seemed to slide a bit against an Iowa team that didn't look like a world beater. Illinois is more Rutgers than Iowa, so U-M needs to have another dominant performance. 

Covering the spread would be good, scoring 40-plus would be great and executing in a way that makes the offense look like it really is hitting its stride would be fantastic. How will the game end up looking on the scoreboard? Here's what we think...

Brandon Brown

"Illinois is pretty bad and it looks like they'll be heading into battle with their third-string quarterback. That's basically a recipe for disaster against a Don Brown-led defense, which could result in some chaotic, big plays for U-M on that side of the ball. If Shea Patterson can get some things going on offense, this one could get out of hand before half time."

Michigan 45, Illinois 0

Steve Deace

"Under Jim Harbaugh Michigan has not scored more than 35 points in a road game against anyone not named Rutgers. And given the primordial state of this offense, I don’t expect that to change, even against a moribund Illinois defense. For if you keep doing the same thing over and over again, you’re going to keep getting the same results." 

Michigan 35, Illinois 7 

Michael Spath

"Michigan will beat Illinois severely today. The only question is will the Wolverines outdo their result two weeks earlier against Rutgers (52-0)? My bet is no but it’s still a big blowout." 

Michigan 42, Illinois 10

What say you? What is your prediction for today's game? Comment below!!!