FACTS & STATS: Site: Memorial Stadium (70,900) -- Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. Television:ABC. Home Record: Michigan 5-1, Illinois 1-2. Away Record: Michigan 0-2, Illinois 0-3. Neutral Record: Michigan 0-0, Illinois 0-1. Conference Record: Michigan 1-3, Illinois 0-5. Series Record: Michigan leads, 66-22-2.

GAME NOTES: The Michigan Wolverines's once promising campaign appears to be headed down hill and they will try to get back on track this weekend against the Illinois Fighting Illini in Big Ten play at Memorial Stadium.

The Wolverines raced out to a 4-0 start this season and earned national recognition, as it appeared last season's struggles were all but behind the program. The team however, would suffer back-to-back narrow defeats to Michigan State (26-20, OT) and Iowa (30-28) and that obviously shook the confidence of the club. After trouncing Delaware State (63-6), a FCS program, Michigan returned to Big Ten play only to be handled, 35-10, by Penn State last weekend. It marked the Wolverines' first loss to Penn State in Ann Arbor since 1996 and served as notice that this team isn't nearly as good as its start to the season would suggest. To make matters worse, it was recently announced the NCAA has issued a "Notice of Inquiry" to the school in regards to allegations made about the football team and head coach Rich Rodriguez, who was accused of violating rules regarding time limits on off-season workouts and in-season demands.

As for Illinois, it has turned into the doormat of the Big Ten, losing all five of its outings. Most recently, the team concluded a two-game road trip with a 24-14 loss at Purdue. The Illini is now just 1-6 on the campaign, with its lone win coming over Illinois State (45-17), as FCS program, all the way back on September 12th.

Saturday's game represents the 91st meeting between Michigan and Illinois on the gridiron, with the Wolverines holding a 66-22-2 advantage in the all-time series. Michigan has won eight of the past 10 encounters, but the Illini did capture a 45-20 victory in last season's meeting.

The Wolverines had little success against PSU over the weekend, gaining just 250 total yards of offense and committing four turnovers in a loss. Michigan is averaging a much better 404.5 total ypg on the year, but it has been plagued by turnovers, committing 18 thus far. Quarterback Tate Forcier had his share of struggles against a tough PSU defense and he completed only 13-of-30 tosses for 140 yards and an interception. The freshman quarterback has had some good moments this season, but he has lacked consistency like most rookies, completing 55.3 percent of his throws with nine touchdowns against five picks. Forcier hasn't favored one particular target, with Martavious Odoms' 22 catches and 272 receiving yards being tops on the roster. In the backfield, Carlos Brown leads the team with 371 yards behind a 7.1 yard per carry average, while Brandon Minor is second with 322 yards. Minor scored his team-best fifth rushing touchdown last weekend and paced the team with 48 yards on 12 carries.

Defensively, Michigan gave up 396 total yards to PSU, while failing to record a single takeaway. The Wolverines, who are allowing 367.4 total ypg on the season, have struggled in the turnover department and have forced just 11 on the campaign. Getting to opposing quarterbacks has also been an issue for the defense, which has recorded only 12 sacks. The lack of pressure has allowed opposing clubs to exploit the defense for 232.5 ypg through the air. Despite posting a pair of sacks last weekend, the Wolverines were still beat for 230 passing yards by PSU. Brandon Graham guided the defense in the loss with seven stops to go with 3.5 TFLs and 0.5 sacks. The talented end has certainly made his presence felt this season and has notched 5.5 sacks and 15.5 TFLs to lead the team.

The Illini were limited to 322 total yards and they went just 4-of-14 on third downs, suffering a 24-14 loss at Purdue this past weekend. Illinois also allowed three sacks and failed to score on one of their three red-zone chances, as they continued to struggle in both areas. For the season, the team has given up 22 sacks and missed out of five red-zone scoring opportunities. Quarterback Juice Williams got the start last weekend and he threw for just 77 yards and a pick, while rushing for 38 yards and a touchdown. A big disappointment this year, Williams have failed to live up to expectations and has thrown for just four touchdowns versus five interceptions. He does rank second on the team with 277 rushing yards, but redshirt freshman Jacob Charest got some snaps under center against Purdue and could take over for Williams. In the backfield, sophomore Mikel LeShoure showed promise last weekend by rushing for a career-high 122 yards on 15 carries. He now leads the team with just 285 rushing yards, although the Illini, as a whole, is averaging a solid 181.4 ypg on the ground.

Illinois simply could not slow down Purdue's run attack, allowing 220 yards on just 39 carries. It was a poor effort, but not a surprising one, as the Illini is giving up an average of 185.3 rushing ypg. The team's pass defense hasn't been any better, yielding 230.6 ypg, and Illinois hasn't made many big plays either, forcing just nine turnovers and recording only seven sacks. The deafens failed to come up with a takeaway and earned only one sack versus Purdue, while surrendering 21 first downs. Ian Thomas paced the defense in the setback with 10 stops, giving him a team-best 53 for the season.

The Wolverines are the choice here, as they have more to offer than Illinois, which has lost five straight games, all by double figures.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Michigan 32, Illinois 22

Saturday, October 31st, 3:30 p.m. (et)