More Impressive 6-0: Michigan Or Illinois?
The No. 11 ranked Michigan Wolverines and No. 16 Illinois are both 6-0 and at the top of their respective divisions. Which team’s unbeaten record is more impressive thus far? The Illini boast the No. 30 ranked offense in the country, and adds a No. 15 ranked defense to the mix. Michigan’s offense rates slightly higher, as they pull in with the No. 25 ranked offense and is tied with Illinois for the No. 30 nationally ranked defense. To say these two teams are close in talent and ability is a major understatement.
I would have to give the nod to Illinois as far as toughest schedule goes, to this point. The Illini defeated a very difficult No. 18 Arizona State team, 17-14, in the third week of the season. That was by far the toughest team either program has played so far this year. Michigan however, defeated a feisty Notre Dame squad in the final seconds during week two. The Irish will be a better team at the end of the season, making that victory look better to the BCS in time. Neither program seemed to want to play a powerhouse in the non-conference season, and that is why both teams records’ are inflated. Realistically, with some highly competitive laden schedules, both schools would be a one or two-loss team by this point.
Illinois has a much easier road the rest of the way. The Wolverines play No. 23 Michigan State this weekend, then the match-up with Illinois, followed by Nebraska and Ohio State in their final two games of the Big 10 season. Illinois has to contend with the unbeaten Badgers in the Leaders division, while Michigan has to worry about Michigan State and Nebraska nipping at their coattails in the Legends division.
Denard Robinson gives Michigan something not many other teams in the country have with his unreal athletic ability from the quarterback position. Also, his passing has improved this season from last season, as a whole. Robinson is that x-factor that makes these Wolverines dangerous on a week-to-week basis. He can change the game by himself in a matter of moments. A national audience witnessed his pure talent against Notre Dame and Northwestern already in 2011. The Illini has nobody on their roster with the ability or talent of Denard Robinson, therefore Michigan gets my vote in any close game they play the rest of this season.
The closest playmaker Illinois has compared to Robinson is wide receiver A.J Jenkins. He has come out of nowhere for the Illini this season. The senior has 46 grabs for an incredible 815 yards already, alongside seven touchdowns. He has been the saving grace for quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase this year. However, he needs to get more touches to be an impact for the Illini if they want to remain unbeaten.
All in all, I say the 6-0 start for Illinois is slightly more impressive then Michigan’s. The Illini defense has been stingier and their offense has done more, with less then the Wolverines. Also, the big win against ASU looms large in the mind of the BCS. However, if you take a look at both teams schedules for the remainder of the season, Michigan would undoubtedly be the more impressive team if they could finish with a better record then Illinois. The last three games of the Wolverines season will certainly prove to be do-or-die contests. Right now though, I am more impressed with Illinois because they are winning despite one of the worst game-calling coaches in the nation in Ron Zook. He may be widely considered one of the best recruiters in the counrty, but when it comes to coaching that talent, it just doesn’t add up in the wins department for Zook. I give his team a ton of credit for winning despite him.
I like Michigan better as an overall unit. I feel the Wolverines have better overall talent at their skill positions and greater upside for future success. Add Denard Robinson at quarterback, one of the most lethal weapons in the nation, and you have an annual BCS contender. I also see their defense getting stronger over time, but this article is not about down the road, it’s about now. And right now, I am slightly favoring Illinois.
Check out what others are saying about this post...
-
[...] Article Source : More Impressive 6-0: Michigan Or Illinois? – Rant Sports [...]
-
[...] LossBleacher ReportCollege Football Schedule Week 7: Start times, and TV CoveragesIt’s On MyTVRant Sports -Off Tackle Empire -CBSSports.comall 1,371 news [...]
Leave a Rant
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!
2 Rants to “More Impressive 6-0: Michigan Or Illinois?”