CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Michigan’s season is turning into a revenge tour for the rest of the Big Ten.
No. 22 Illinois was the latest team to get payback, beating the No. 24 Wolverines 21-7 Saturday at a sold-out Memorial Stadium. The Illini at 6-1 and won a matchup of ranked teams on their home field for the first time since 1991. Here are three instant takeaways.
Another QB change didn’t fix Michigan’s offense
The Wolverines (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) hoped the switch to Jack Tuttle would breathe some life into a sputtering offense. They had many of the same problems in Tuttle’s first start, including two lost fumbles, leaky pass protection and an anemic passing game. When Tuttle finally hit a big play, finding Colston Loveland for 29 yards on fourth-and-18 in the fourth quarter, he immediately followed it with a back-breaking interception.
Michigan fell behind 13-0 after two punts and two turnovers, one by Tuttle and one by Donovan Edwards that came after a Tuttle interception was wiped out by a penalty. The offense put together its first sustained drive late in the second quarter by feeding Kalel Mullings, who rushed 19 times for 87 yards. That drive ended with a touchdown run from Mullings on fourth down, but another drive of nearly nine minutes in the third quarter ended with a blocked field goal.
The absence of explosive plays continues to be a drag on Michigan’s offense. The Wolverines took a few more downfield shots with Tuttle at quarterback but weren’t able to connect. Tuttle’s passing numbers — 20-for-32, 208 yards — were a slight improvement over Alex Orji’s, but the overall productivity of the offense wasn’t markedly better. Michigan also drifted away from its running game at times, which was a puzzling choice for a team that hasn’t been able to throw the ball with any consistency.
Special teams hurt Michigan again
With the way the offense is playing, Michigan has virtually no margin for error on defense and special teams. The Wolverines simply haven’t been sharp enough in special teams to overcome their offensive limitations.
One of the biggest plays of the game was a fake punt for Illinois that went for 36 yards on fourth-and-7, setting up a touchdown. The Illini also blocked a 28-yard field goal attempt from Dominic Zvada, who was 8-for-8 on the season, after a drive that chewed up more than half of the third quarter. Punter Tommy Doman struggled as well, averaging 32.7 yards on his punts.
Michigan needs to be a team that does the little things well, and right now that’s not happening.
Teams are getting Michigan while they can
Illinois put a lot into Saturday’s game, which was the 100th anniversary celebration for the dedication of Memorial Stadium and Red Grange’s 402-yard performance against Michigan in 1924. It made the day even sweeter that Illinois was able to get payback against the team that streamrolled the rest of the Big Ten for three years running.
With the Wolverines faltering, the rest of the teams on their schedule will be eager to capitalize. That will continue next week against Michigan State, a team with plenty of pent-up frustration directed at its in-state rival. The hope of a midseason reset is gone, and Michigan’s prospects are getting bleaker by the week. Getting to 6-6 and qualifying for a bowl game is no longer a given for the reigning national champions.
(Photo of Michigan quarterback Jack Tuttle: Michael Hickey / Getty Images)
