Michigan Wolverines vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 19th 2024
Preview and Prediction
Michigan suffered two defeats and a duo of quarterback alterations prior to their bye week. Now, the Wolverines' schedule becomes even more challenging.
The reigning national champions will face four teams currently ranked in the Top 25 in their remaining six regular-season games, including a road clash against No. 22 Illinois on Saturday afternoon in Champaign, Ill.
No. 24 Michigan (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) is coming off a 27-17 loss on the road to unranked Washington on Oct. 5. Wolverines first-year coach Sherrone Moore benched starting quarterback Alex Orji in the second quarter. Orji had taken over for opening-game starter Davis Warren after the latter struggled with turnovers.
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Orji's substitute, Jack Tuttle, completed 10 of 18 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown, but was also intercepted once. Tuttle began his college career at Utah in 2018, but never saw any game action for the Utes. He spent four seasons with Indiana before transferring to Michigan before the 2023 season.
Tuttle will start against the Fighting Illini (5-1, 2-1) in a crucial game for the Wolverines. Michigan still has matchups against No. 2 Oregon (Nov. 2), No. 16 Indiana (Nov. 9), and No. 4 Ohio State (Nov. 30).
"It's not time to panic, but we must evaluate what we need to do and how we need to operate," Moore stated.
The 25-year-old Tuttle will take the field against Illinois. Tuttle was recovering from an elbow injury during the offseason, which limited his practice time until the start of the regular season.
"They (his teammates) refer to him as Uncle Jack, the seventh-year veteran who has experienced it all, seen it all, and played in the big games," Moore commented. "So he has done an excellent job, and he will continue to progress and do those things right now."
There is no uncertainty about the Fighting Illini's quarterback situation. Luke Altmyer has been extremely accurate, throwing for 1,426 yards and 14 touchdowns with only one interception this season. Altmyer had 13 touchdown passes and was picked off 10 times last season.
"He has improved so much," Moore acknowledged. "He has just progressed from last year to this year."
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Illinois survived a thrilling 50-49 overtime victory against one-win Purdue last weekend. The Fighting Illini needed a 38-yard field goal from David Alano as time expired to force overtime.
Illinois has lost their last six meetings with the Wolverines, with their most recent win coming in 2009. Illinois fell 19-17 in Ann Arbor two seasons ago.
"The last one was pretty significant. I believed we had a strong enough team to go up there and win. Unfortunately, it did not happen," Illinois coach Bret Bielema recalled. "There were a lot of factors that played into it, a lot of things we could have done better. We did not get a chance to rematch these guys last year, so we have the opportunity to do so this year. Those things mean a lot. I think our guys understand the growth they have had."
Bielema emphasized that preparation has been the key to the team's success. The Fighting Illini have already matched last season's win total.
"I learned this from former Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez, you do not get ready for Michigan, you do not get ready for Ohio State, you do not get ready for Penn State in one week," Bielema stated. "You do it 365 days a year."