Michigan 27, Illini 17

Flew out to Chicago and then drove to Champaign for the game. Sat in the Michigan section with my friend Tatt Mareeco, a Michigan alum.

I'll tell you the same thing I e-mailed to some other friends mid-game: the Illini looked great when Henne and Hart weren't in the game.

Hart of course missed the entire game and stood on the sidelines in sweats. His only apearance on the field was when he trotted out for the coin toss, which he punctuated with an elaborate handshake with Jake Long. Henne was in and out of the game with what looked like an elbow injury. Ryan Mallet played in his absence and showed an ability to move the ball but also made some costly errors in the red zone.

In the end, Michigan pulled away on the basis of (a) the Illini quarterbacks' - be it Juice or McGee - complete inability to hit a receiver in stride for a completion; and (b) Kyle Hudson's costly fumble after a Michigan punt. A roughing the kicker call on an earlier Michigan punt didn't help matters.

On a positive note it was an absolutely gorgeous day in Champaign. Joe's was a great spot before the game and C.O.'s and Kam's - always reliable - were nice and messy afterwards.