Michigan at Illinois Preview: Football For Our Sanity

I don't know if you have been aware, but some serious stuff has been going on in college football this week. Illinois' fourth quarter loss to Penn State two weeks ago is now perhaps much more significant than we could have ever thought, it was the last victory, the last game, ever coached by Joe Paterno. Obviously football should be the absolute last priority when considering the ramifications of what has come to light at Penn State, but the fact is, given how horrifying the crimes were that occurred, under the authority of the athletic department, some serious scrutiny will now be paid to what has been relatively unchecked multimillion dollar operations that are the athletic departments.

On some level, this was allowed to happen because the football team was too important, too profitable, its image too important its leaders too powerful, for the normal course of the law to take place. That is a chilling fact. Football can never be that important, that the safety of innocent bystanders be sacrificed to preserve its image or profitability.

That said, now that it seems the case is in the hands of the law (as it should have been for some time) and the football program is being cleaned out en masse, people like me can go back to talking about what we are actually qualified for: football talk.

Illinois heads into this weekend at a cross roads of football relevance. The last Illini victory came a month ago, and each successive week has seen a less and less confidence inspiring effort on their behalf. A sputtering offense that has lost its mojo. A defense that has been asked to do just too much, and a special teams that a complete liability.

Michigan too is looking to stop the bleeding, although at 7-2 are not exactly in panic mode just yet. Michigan has a bit of a reputation as of late to fall apart down the stretch, and are certainly concerned that the lost at Iowa last week is just another sign that they aren't really back yet.

This is an important game of course for both teams, made more so because the divisional titles are still within their reach.

Denard Robinson, of course, is the most important player on the field for either team. His play has largely dictated how the Wolverines have fared, no matter their opponent. He is a virtuoso at making spectacular plays, but seems just as likely to turn the ball over and sink his teams chances all together. For many weeks in a row now we have seen Robinson mistakes in the first half put UM behind the 8-ball, but his second half heroics put the team right back in contention, and more often than not claim a victory.

Nathan Scheelhaase on the other hand could use the sort of devil may care boldness that makes Denard such a threat and liability. Scheel has been taking a bit of a beating, figuratively for his play, and literally on the field, as he is one of the most sacked quarterbacks around. Faster decisions, are sometimes  just as useful as better decisions. This offensive line doesn't seem to be able to block long enough to allow for the more complex checks to take place.

If Petrino were to put protecting Scheelhaase as his number one priority, I wouldn't have a problem with it at all. A lot fewer designed runs (maybe to cut down on the head shots he takes?) and a lot more two tight end or full back sets. Run out of the I. Pass under max protect. More play action. Whatever it takes to keep your quarterback on his feet and in one piece.

Given that last year's game was a triple over time scoring frenzy, it seems all to obvious that this game could come down to whose defense rises more to the occasion. Michigan has an offense that is performing better now, but has a tendency to turn the ball over. Illinois' is tepid and ineffective, but Michigan's D isn't exactly at mid 1990's form either.  When, not if, Illinois manages a turnover. I sure hope that it is returned for a touchdown. That seems to be the only sure way to know we will get points out of anything these days.

How either of these teams are going to be mentally is anyone's guess. I just hope that the Illini are together enough, and confident enough to somehow come away with a win in this game, because it could very well be the game that dictates how the season is remembered.