In the preseason, it wasn't expected that Michigan football's midseason trip to Champaign to face Illinois would be a huge matchup. However, the Illini enter the game 5-1, ranked one spot higher than the Wolverines at No.

Big Ten football returns this weekend as No. 24 Michigan hits the road against No. 22 Illinois in college football’s Week 8 action on Saturday. Let’s check in with some of the early predictions for the game from the nation’s oddsmakers.

After a much-needed week off, the Michigan football players are focused on what's ahead, which could still be a playoff appearance.