Illinois Falls to Michigan, and other facts we'd rather not be true.

Illinois' derailment has continued this week, after allowing us a calm week without losing. Any hopes that the offense, special teams and defense would return after a good bit of soul searching and retooling as much more effective were put to rest rather quickly. Denard Robinson and company quickly strolled down the field and scored on their opening drive. The Illinois offense would not get a first down until the second quarter.

The game unfolded in what has now become a typically maddening fashion. The defense, after some early let downs solidified and became extremely effective, forcing multiple turnovers from Denard Robinson, who is often generous in that regard. At halftime the score was 14-0 Michigan, and clearly within reach, but there had already been so many missed opportunities, as the Illinois offense not once ventured into UM territory that half. UM handed Illinois two fumbles, a turnover on downs and a missed field goal, and from that the Illini got a nothing.

The second half proceeded like the losses to OSU and Purdue, as the game remained close and only late did the offense seem to get any confidence or momentum. The first scoring drive featured power sets and taking shots down the field, and it was effective, moving the ball for once and getting receivers a bit more separation. Despite getting close in the fourth quarter, the mistakes were too many and UM would get a handy victory at 31-14.

The problems are nearly too numerous to name at this point. The play calling on offense is clearly a problem, but so too now it seems is our entire backfield. As a team, Illinois rushed 37 rushing yards. This from the team that routinely finishes in the top three of the Big Ten in that category. Jason Ford had his touchdown, but amassed only 26 yards on 11 carries, and added in a fumble for good measure. Troy Pollard, who seems to only get the ball in the option looks, (likely due to his lack of size) is getting tracked down pretty consistently now, and got 14 yards on 16 carries.

Donovonn Young, despite being pointed out as someone who was benefiting from the bye week, got no carries at all. I have not heard or read as to why that is the case.

For whatever reason, the offensive line has been overrun for the better part of a month now. These are almost all returning players from last year, and didn't seem to have a problem against  Penn State, Michigan or Purdue last year, but this year seem utterly listless.

Scheelhaase is caught in the backfield, recording sack after sack, either due to a lack of quick decision making (not a new problem) or the fact that blitzers are not picked up. When he keeps the ball, he seems more often to run into a defensive tackle than any gained yardage. 

At the simplest of levels though, it just doesn't seem as though there has been much adjustment on that side of the ball this season.

The special teams was consistent, if anything. Ryan Lankford had just two yards in his many opportunities to return punts, and capped his day with a catastrophic fumble. The freshman punter Duvernois, for his part, recorded a punt of just 13 yards.

This defense, though it gave up some frustrating scores and plays against Michigan, was more often than not put in some very difficult circumstances. Three turnovers that were negated by the offense and special teams (in one case on the ensuing series.) The defense was once again on the losing end of the time of possession battle, and were behind the eight ball all day due to the offensive and special teams complete non impact on the game. On three of the four touchdown drives, Michigan started inside Illinois territory. This is sort of lopsided production of defense to offense hasn't been seen since the 1990's.

It just wasn't a good day all around. Now the team has to turn around for senior day, and face what will likely be the Big Ten champion Wisconsin Badgers this coming Saturday. If ever there was a time to try something drastic, I think it would be now.