Michigan at Illinois

Jim Harbaugh appears to have made the right adjustments defensively following a near-loss to Army before getting blown out at Wisconsin. Since then, Michigan has outscored opponents 62-3 in wins over Rutgers and Iowa. The offense still needs some improvement after scoring only 10 versus the Hawkeyes, but Iowa was held to only 261 total yards and just one net rushing yard on 39 carries. Shea Patterson wasn't spectacular, but he finished 14-of-26 for 147 yards and the Wolverines rushed for 124 yards. The Wolverines are learning a new spread offense and it's taking awhile to get it going. Nevertheless, Michigan will have no trouble with Illinois, which has lost three in a row and its only wins were against lowly Akron and Connecticut and the Fighting Illini is 1-3 ATS the last three games. Minnesota ran all over the Illini, rushing for 333 yards and outgained them 488-248. Michigan has covered its last four October games and four of its last five overall after an ATS win. Illinois is 2-6 ATS its last eight versus teams with winning records. Lay the points and play Michigan for my Max Play this weekend.