2:23 p.m.

While this might not be a must-win for Illinois, it would be a huge setback if the Illini return home at 0-2 in the Big Ten and 2-3 overall. The first two losses were excusable, even expected. But this Michigan team falls far short of Illinois in terms of talent at this point and it’s hard to make an argument for the Wolverines.

This should be the day that the Illinois defense gets well. Michigan is having trouble adapting to coach Rich Rodriguez’ spread offense and even in last week’s win over Wisconsin the Wolverines were at times abysmal with the ball. Commentators on today’s pre-game shows were still expressing shock that they were able to win that game as poorly as they played and said a similar effort today will result in an Illinois win.

2:02 p.m.

Josh Brent might get a start at defensive tackle today if the stretching lines are true to form. Freshman Corey Liuget started the last two weeks and had made great progress, but ultimately I’m sure the coaching staff would rather have Brent at that spot if he’s ready after missing the first two games. He lined up with the first team.

Remember to also watch for some early substitutions at linebacker as coach Ron Zook promised during the week. Sam Carson and Russell Ellington are the leading candidates to see extra time as the Illini try to improve a defense that ranks last in the Big Ten in points allowed.

1:48 p.m.

Speaking of returns, Daniel Dufrene and Chris Duvalt just spent some time fielding kickoffs along with Arrelious Benn and Vontae Davis. Duvalt returned some kicks each of the last two seasons but Dufrene has not at Illinois. The Illini have not been productive, averaging 20.3 yards on kickoff returns.

1:41 p.m.

Michigan has moved freshmen Martavious Odoms and Avery Horn to the top of the depth chart for kickoff returns after weeks of frustration at that spot. Six players have returned kicks for the Wolverines and they have all either not lived up to expectations or had trouble holding onto the ball. Odoms has three returns for a 20.3-yard average.

1:23 p.m.

During this slow period when no one is on the field warming up, I’ll share with you some of the big sports news of the day in the Detroit area newspapers:

The only story that is on the front page of both of the Detroit dailies is game coverage of the WNBA’s Shock going up 2-0 in the championship series against San Antonio. Both papers had a writer in San Antonio — impressive in this day of newspaper cutbacks.

The Detroit Free Press has a huge feature on Michigan defensive end Brandon Graham, who leads the country in average number of tackles per loss, and a brief about the Lions selling out.

The Detroit News has new of Lions receiver Roy Williams saying he doesn’t expect to be traded and a column about Tigers manager Jim Leyland wanting his contract extended despite a poor season.

Now you’re up to date on Detroit sports.

1:06 p.m.

It’s amazing to think that Illinois doesn’t have a single player who has played at game at Michigan. That’s just the way the Big Ten schedule works with teams rotating in and out of the schedule.

The last two meetings between the schools came in 2007 and 2004, both in Champaign and both won by the Wolverines. The last time the Illini traveled to Ann Arbor, was 2003, a game those involved would prefer to forget. Michigan rolled 56-14.

So, not even fifth-year seniors were around for that game. Juice Williams was a sophomore in high school. Arrelious Benn was a freshman. And Jeff Allen was in the eighth grade.

12:52 p.m.

Michigan has a couple of offensive players who will not see action, although their absence will have minimal impact. Running back Carlos Brown is out. He has only three carries on the year but coaches had been hoping he was getting closer to producing. And receiver Junior Hemingway is unable to play. He has two catches but one went for a touchdown.

Michigan is expected to use running back Brandon Minor more extensively to help liven up an impotent running game.

12:37 p.m.

Michigan Stadium does not have lights, so when the Wolverines play a mid-afternoon home game the athletic department has to rent lights to take care of that period during the early when darkness begins to fall. There are two sets of lights on each side of the field set high atop the ongoing construction, and I’m going to tell you they don’t as if they can do the job but I’m told otherwise.

Unlike Wrigley Field, which eventually buckled and added lights, Michigan Stadium will remain unlit after the current renovation.

11:57 a.m.

It’s quiet inside Michigan Stadium, aka “The Big House,” for the time being. The gates aren’t open yet and I’m guessing fans will be slow to enter because the weather is perfect and it’s a great day to tailgate. I’d like to find out what that’s like someday.

Michigan is in the midst of a stadium renovation that will be completed in 2010. It’s costing more than twice what Illinois paid for its renovation and will add luxury suites on both sides and a new press box. So there are massive steel skeletons rising above the stadium on each side and there’s a group taking a tour right now on the side opposite the press box, although I can’t imagine what they’re being shown.

Although second in size to Penn State’s Beaver Stadium, this place is far less conspicuous because it is set into the ground and isn’t nearly as intimidating from the outside. It’s just a giant bowl, similar to the Rose Bowl or the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Check back between now and game time for more updates