What to watch for in Illini-Wolverines Big Ten showdown

Michigan hosts Illinois at midday ET on Saturday in a Large Ten showdown that might be broadcast by ABC. The Wolverines have been ranked No. 3 in Tuesday’s Faculty Soccer Playoff rankings, and they’re 10-0 total and 7-0 in convention play. The Illini are 7-3 total and 4-3 within the convention.

Gamers to look at

Michigan’s Blake Corum has recorded the second-most touchdowns (17) and fourth-most dashing yards (1,349) within the FBS this season. The operating again tied a Michigan document with 5 landing runs towards UConn in September. Later that month, Corum piled up a career-high 243 dashing yards towards Maryland.

Combating Illini quarterback Tommy DeVito has thrown for two,083 yards, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions. He ranks sixth within the nation in completion proportion (70 p.c).

The coaches

Tuesday, Jim Harbaugh’s right-hand man, Biff Poggi, was named the following head coach at Charlotte. Within the uncommon cases when Harbaugh couldn’t make follow, Poggi served as the pinnacle coach. Poggi was credited with serving to spearhead the behind-the-scenes turnaround forward of Michigan’s run to a Large Ten title and CFP berth final season.

Illinois’ teaching workers has some Michigan in it, too. Bret Bielema’s chief of workers, Mark Taurisani, got here from Michigan after spending three years with Harbaugh. In his weekly information convention, Bielema stated Taurisani is “very effectively versed within the operations there at Michigan.”

Odds, predictions and extra

• Illinois at Michigan: Odds, knowledgeable picks with each groups chasing Large Ten division titles

• Michigan’s Biff Poggi, Jim Harbaugh’s consigliere, is probably the most attention-grabbing man in teaching

• Biff Poggi, Michigan affiliate head coach, employed by Charlotte

• Faculty Soccer Playoff: What would the 12-team expanded subject appear to be this week?

• Faculty soccer bowl projections: Welcome to the Faculty Soccer Playoff, TCU

• Faculty soccer picks towards the unfold: Stewart Mandel’s Week 12 picks

• Faculty soccer Week 12 mannequin projections: Predicted scores for each recreation

(Photograph of Jim Harbaugh: Vincent Carchietta / USA At the moment)