Michigan vs. Illinois score, takeaways: No. 22 Illini stifle No. 24 Wolverines behind stout defensive effort

Michigan's misery

Tuttle finished 20 of 32 passing for 208 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. It was the most passing yards that Michigan has produced in a game this season. But it wasn't nearly enough to spark a unit that ranked No. 119 nationally in total offense entering the day. Forced to play from behind for much of the game, Michigan was unable to ride its star duo of running backs. Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards combined for 135 yards on 26 carries, but the circumstances of the game kept them from playing significant roles in the second half. Instead, the Wolverines were backed into a corner that required them to to throw the football effectively. As has been the case all season, they could't do it well enough.

Special teams makes a difference

Faced with the potential of going three-and-out on its first possession of the second half while leading just 13-7, Illinois coach Bret Bielema opted for a bold special teams gamble. Instead of punting on fourth-and-7 from his own 48-yard line, he went with a direct snap to Tanner Arkin. The tight end rumbled 36 yards to set up the Illini in the red zone. Four plays later, Illinois scored a touchdown to surge back ahead by two possessions. It turned out to be the Illini's only touchdown of the second half, and it wouldn't have happened without the fake punt. Illinois punter Hugh Robertson was also a weapon in the win as he dropped a pair of punts inside Michigan's 20-yard line to make things even tougher on a struggling Wolverines unit.

Illinois a CFP contender?

Could Illinois be a College Football Playoff contender? At 6-1 and with a manageable November ahead, it's a question worth pondering. There is a significant obstacle on the schedule next week as the Illini travel to face No. 2 Oregon. Barring a monumental upset of the Ducks, Illinois will enter the season's final month with two losses. It would likely have to run the table against Minnesota, Michigan State, Rutgers and Northwestern to close the season. But Illinois will likely be favored in each of those games, making a 4-0 November firmly within the realm of possibility for an Illini team that has proven the ability to grind out victories. It's hard to imagine a 10-win Big Ten team getting left out of the CFP.

Illinois improves to 6-1

Final: Illinois 21, Michigan 7

No. 22 Illinois used a strong defensive effort and capitalized on a series of blunders from No. 24 Michigan to earn a 21-7 victory over the Wolverines in a pivotal Big Ten battle on Saturday. A week after giving up 49 points and 536 yards in an overtime win over Purdue, the Illini (6-1, 3-1 Big Ten) found defense to be much easier against a Michigan team using its third starting quarterback of the season.

Michigan (4-3, 2-2) coughed up the football on consecutive possessions in the first half, and Illinois converted those turnovers into 10 points while jumping out to a 13-0 lead. Wolverines quarterback Jack Tuttle engineered a 72-yard touchdown drive to get Michigan on the board in the second quarter and cut its halftime deficit to 13-7.

But digging out of a two-possession hole proved to be an insurmountable task for a Michigan passing attack that continued to struggle with its third starting quarterback this season. Trailing 21-7 midway through the fourth quarter, Michigan finally hit on a big passing play when Tuttle found Colston Loveland for a 29-yard gain on a fourth-and-18.

On the very next play, Illinois linebacker Matthew Bailey intercepted Tuttle at the 2-yard line, effectively ending Michigan's hopes of a comeback.

• Michigan has lost as many games this season (three) as it did over the previous three seasons combined.
• The win marked Illinois' first victory in a home game between ranked teams since 1991.
• Illinois finished with five sacks, which was the most Michigan has allowed in a game in six years. 

Illinois bleeding the clock 

After forcing a turnover on downs, Illinois has the football and will be able to bleed most of the remaining clock. Michigan is out of timeouts and out of luck on the road as the Wolverines are about to suffer their third loss.

Too much time

Michigan is taking too much time as it trails by two possessions and the clock dwindles. Illinois is playing soft coverage, which is allowing the Wolverines to move the sticks. But they aren't doing so with any expediency, and the Illini continue to wreak havoc on Michigan's offensive line without bringing a ton of pressure.

Game-clinching interception?

Trailing 21-7 midway through the fourth quarter, Michigan finally hit on a big passing play as Tuttle found Colston Loveland for a 29-yard gain on a fourth-and-18 play. Then, on the very next play, Illinois linebacker Matthew Bailey intercepted Tuttle at the 2-yard line, effectively ending Michigan's hopes of a comeback.

Michigan struggling for every yard

Every yard is a slog for this Michigan offense as the Wolverines attempt to mount a drive while trailing by two scores here midway through the fourth quarter. Jack Tuttle converted a third-and-13 with a 14-yard pass to Semaj Morgan. But then he was sacked. The Illinois defense has consistently generated pressure on Tuttle.

Where Michigan struggles

This is where Michigan struggles. They don't have any downfield passing game to fall back on when trailing in the second half. Now on its third quarterback of the season, Michigan also lacks the chemistry between Tuttle and the receivers that's going to be needed to mount a rally. The Wolverines are going to need some big plays in special teams or a turnover to shorten the field and make it easier on Tuttle and Co.

What a stand for Illinois

Illinois came up with a sack of Jack Tuttle on third-and-6, forcing Sherrone Moore to settle for a field goal attempt. It missed, and the Illini escape one of Michigan's only good offensive possessions of the day without allowing a point. Chalk that missed opportunity up in a growing category of situations and sequences that have occurred today where Michigan has shot itself in the foot. A 55-yard drive with nothing to show for it.

Michigan on the move

Jack Tuttle hit Hogan Hansen for a 17-yard gain to open the drive, and Michigan is in business with a long drive that has now reached the red zone. The Wolverines have converted on a pair of third down plays and have a shot to reduce the deficit back to one possession.

Fake punt fuels Illinois

Illinois perfectly executed a fake punt on fourth-and-7 from its own 48-yard line. Tanner Arkin took the direct snap and ran 36 yards to establish the Illini in the red zone. From there, Luke Altmyer finished it off with a 1-yard touchdown run to put Illinois up two scores. That was a gutsy call by Bret Bielema and a gut-punch for Michigan, which looked like it had secured a three-and-out.

Great defensive start for Illinois

Illinois' defense began the third quarter with a dominant possessions, stuffing Kalel Mullings on consecutive runs and then sacking Jack Tuttle for a loss of 9. The Illini will take over at their own 45-yard line. A touchdown here would put Michigan behind 13 and force the Wolverines to show a level of offensive prowess that has been missing all season.

Second half keys

Michigan must eliminate the turnovers and miscues in the second half. The Illinois offense has not demonstrated the ability to drive the length of the field to get points on Michigan's defense. But the Illini haven't had to because the Wolverines have served things up for them with turnovers and penalties. Illinois needs to show it can be more explosive offensively. Aside from some Altymer scrambles and an early 29-yard run from Aidan Laughery, the Illini have been fairly muted offensively.

Illinois up on Michigan at half

Half: Illinois 13, Michigan 7

No. 22 Illinois capitalized on two turnovers and five penalties from Michigan to take a 13-7 halftime lead on the No. 24 Wolverines in a Big Ten showdown on Saturday. The Illini led 13-0 at one point before Michigan's offense finally found some life in quarterback Jack Tuttle's first start.

After consecutive turnovers led to 10 Illinois points, the Wolverines marched 72 yards on 12 plays to finally get on the board with a 1-yard scoring run from Kalel Mullings on a critical fourth down play. Mullings ran for 55 yards on 11 carries in the half.

Even after that score, the Illini struck back with a well-executed drive over the final 1:40 of the half to position kicker David Olano for a 44-yard field goal attempt as time expired in the half. But Makari Paige of Michigan blocked the kick, sending the Wolverines into halftime with momentum. Quarterback Luke Altmyer led Illinois in the first half by going 8 of 13 through the air for 65 yards and a 2-yard touchdown strike to Tanner Arkin. Altmyer also paced Illinois on the ground with seven carries for 47 yards.

Michigan finds life

Michigan finally found something offensively, first with four consecutive runs by Kalel Mullings and then with consecutive first down throws from Jack Tuttle to Colston Loveland. Faced with a fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line, Mullings was able to punch it in. That was much-needed from a Wolverines unit that looked anemic for much of the first half. Mullings is up to 55 yards on 11 carries.

Illinois capitalizes again

2Q: Illinois 13, Michigan 0

Another Michigan turnover and another Michigan pass interference set Illinois up for the game's first touchdown. Luke Altmyer found Tanner Arkin for a 2-yard touchdown pass. That's 10 straight points that have come on short fields courtesy of the Wolverines turning it over and then committing penalties. Of note: star Michigan corner Will Johnson was not on the field for that drive.

Michigan turns it over again

Michigan has now turned the football over on consecutive possessions after Donovan Edwards coughed it up while taking a hit on the tail end of a 16-yard run. That blunder came just two plays after Michigan quarterback Jack Tuttle was bailed out of a horrible interception by a defensive holding call that occurred away from where he threw the football. Michigan's offensive nightmare continues.

Illinois cashes in on turnover

Illinois just cashed in on a Jack Tuttle fumble with a 32-yard field goal from David Olano. Once again, the Illini were aided by a costly Wolverines penalty as another defensive pass interference call helped Illinois get into the red zone. Michigan's defense has been in some tough spots of its own making early in this game but has stood tall so far. That's huge considering how much of a struggle it is for Michigan's offense.

Will Johnson's ankle

Will Johnson came off the field in the first quarter, but it sounds like he'll be cleared to return after getting a change of shoes, according to an on-field report from CBS' Jenny Dell.

Muted first quarter

Illinois 3, Michigan 0

The most substantive yardage of the first quarter came on a 29-yard run from Illinois' Aidan Laughery on the game's third play from scrimmage. Otherwise, it's been tough sledding for the offenses so far in this Big Ten battle. Michigan is averaging 3.3 yards per play on 12 plays so far as Illinois has done a good thus far of bottling up the run.

Michigan makes a stand

Illinois jump-started the drive with a 12-yard connection between Luke Altmyer  and Pat Bryant. From there, a hands to the face penalty and a DPI on Michigan helped the Illini get deep into Michigan territory. Ultimately, those miscues did not cost the Wolverines as they stuffed Josh McCray for a loss of two on a fourth-and-1 play. Bielema took the points on a fourth-and-short during the game's opening possession but gambled on fourth-and-short the second time around. It backfired, and the Wolverines take over trailing just 3-0.

Progress before a punt

Michigan's offense made progress on its second series in the form of two first downs. However, the Wolverines still had to punt after a Jack Tuttle throw to Semaj Morgan came up short of the sticks on third-and-6. Tuttle had Colston Loveland open on a deep route on first down but couldn't hit him. He's 2 of 5 for 6 yards early in his first start of the season.

Swapping three-and-outs

Illinois' second possession began with promise as Luke Altmyer hit Hank Beatty for an 18-yard gain. But the play was called back due to holding. Put behind the chains, the Illini weren't able to generate a first down. Hugh Robertson did nice job of pinning the Wolverines deep with a 48-yard punt. So the teams have swapped punts now since the Illini opened the scoring with a field goal.

This Saturday is Michigan's last stand

Michigan is still ranked in both major polls. Should it be? I don't think so, no, seeing how its best win to this point is a 3-3 USC team and it lost its last game to a Washington team that just gave up 40 points to Iowa. Regardless of its ranking, Michigan's showdown with Illinois this weekend feels like an absolute must-win for the Wolverines. Michigan is a small favorite in the game, but it's a ranking that feels based more on reputation (or perhaps Illinois' second-half performance against Purdue) than what we've actually seen from the Wolverines this year. If Michigan wins, it's 5-2 and could build momentum with a follow-up victory against Michigan State. But if the Wolverines lose, they'll fall to 4-3 and still have to play Oregon, Ohio State, and, yes, Indiana. I still think Michigan would get to a bowl game with a loss to the Illini, but it'd be far from a certainty.

B1G Time: Ryan Day struggles in big games at Ohio State, but here's why that's not as concerning as you think

Tom Fornelli

Running the rock 

While Michigan's passing game has been inept, the Wolverines do can lean on an elite pair of running backs. Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards have combined for 942 yards and nine touchdowns on 164 carries. Slowing them down will be a chore for an Illinois defense that has been vulnerable on the ground in its last two games. Penn State racked up 239 yards rushing behind its own star duo of backs in the Illini's only loss this season, and Purdue produced a pair of 100-yard rushers against them last week. It's no secret Michigan is going to lean heavily on the run. But it's uncertain whether the Illini will be able to stop it.

Jack Tuttle's turn

Tuttle entered during the second quarter of the Wolverines' loss at Washington on Oct. 5 and provided enough of a spark to be named the starter for this week's contest. The seventh-year senior was on the mend from an elbow injury and unavailable as the Wolverines cycled through ineffective QBs Davis Warren and Alex Orji early in the season. But after completing 10 of 18 passes for 98 yards with a touchdown and an interception against the Huskies, he will be Michigan's third starter in seven games.

Luke Altmyer's ascension

Illinois quarterback Luke Altymer is tied with Ohio State's Will Howard and Indiana's Kurtis Rourke for most touchdown passes in the conference at 14. After throwing 10 interceptions in nine appearances last season, the fourth-year junior has been picked off just once this season. His emergence as one of the conference's most efficient passers has keyed the Illini's hot start. Altmyer also showed his dual-threat capability in last week's win over Purdue by running for 60 yards and a touchdown. 

Setting the stage for Michigan vs. Illinois

After a thrilling 50-49 overtime win against Purdue last week, No. 22 Illinois must refocus quickly as the Illini welcome No. 24 Michigan for a Big Ten showdown on CBS. The Wolverines are coming off a bye week and looking to tackle a challenging second half of their schedule in style. The last time these teams met was a dramatic affair as Michigan edged Illinois 19-17 on a field goal in the final 10 seconds. While that 2022 Illinois team went 8-5 behind the running of star back Chase Brown, this squad is led by a dynamic quarterback. Luke Altmyer is 14th nationally in passing efficiency and has tossed 14 touchdowns against just one interception. Altmyer is currently getting +40000 betting odds to win the Heisman, according to Fanduel Sportsbook. 

Michigan's quarterback situation is a mess by comparison. The Wolverines are on their third starter under center after seventh-year senior Jack Tuttle took over in a 27-17 loss at Washington on Oct. 5. The Wolverines rank 130th of 133 FBS teams in passing yards per game at 115 and are overly reliant on their defense and running game. The game will be the first between ranked teams at Illinois' Memorial Stadium since 2000, and it's the second sellout of the season for the Illini. That should equate to a charged atmosphere as Illinois and Michigan square off in the day's only matchup between ranked Big Ten teams.

Michigan vs. Illinois prediction

Michigan is giving Tuttle his first start of the season at quarterback, but the Wolverines are still a one-dimensional team. Illinois knows the Wolverines are going to rely on the run, and  the Illini should be able to load the box defensively. Altmyer is playing as well as any quarterback  in the Big Ten and is capable of leading a few scoring drives, even against this defense. Look for the betting underdog Illini to scrape out their first win over Michigan since 2009. Pick: Illinois +3.5