The day has finally arrived.

After years of preparation and planning, the Memorial Stadium Rededication Game between No. 22 Illinois and No. 24 Michigan is just around the corner. Exactly 100 years and one day after Red Grange’s six-touchdown performance against the previously undefeated Wolverines in 1924, those same two programs — both ranked in the latest AP Top 25 poll — will face off Saturday at 2:30 p.m. pm CT on CBS.

The Orange and Blue return to Memorial Stadium a week after their 50-49 victory over Purdue, a win that saw the Illini claim The Cannon for the first time since 2019. Lucas Altmyer recorded a career-best passing yardage total and four total scores, while Josh McCray posted the first three-touchdown outing of his collegiate career.

Michigan makes its first visit to Memorial Stadium since the 2019 season, with the Illini looking to defeat the Wolverines for the first time since 2009. Illinois and Michigan last met in 2022, when the host Wolverines posted a controversial 19-17 win in Ann Arbor. .

Ahead of Saturday afternoon’s national kickoff, Michigan is 4-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play, and the Wolverines have lost their only road game. Michigan opened its 2024 slate with five straight home games, then fell to Washington on Oct. 5 before playing out the first of two inactive dates in Week 7. The reigning national champions are led by first-year head coach Sherrone Moore, who played on the team’s offensive staff the previous six seasons.

The Illini know what’s at stake Saturday on what will be a historic day at Memorial Stadium, with community-wide 100th anniversary festivities happening all weekend long.

Defensive coordinator Aaron Hendrik has embraced and preached the importance of recognizing the magnitude of the celebrations and the history that will be made on Saturday.

“There is history here. Every time you talk about history, you have to talk about where this place came from, rather than where it is now. You cannot forget the men, the players and the people who came before you ,” said Henry. “The most important thing this week is obviously that we play really good defense, but more importantly, this is a magical opportunity that we are going to have in this stadium. You’re talking about a top 25 match on CBS, so it’s going to be a primetime matchup between two very good opponents.

“Michigan has been at the forefront of a lot of things nationally in football, and they’re coming to Champaign and we’re going to get a chance to play them in front of a sold out crowd and in front of the whole world. I spoke to our guys about this opportunity. You don’t get these opportunities often, especially as a young player in your career, so you have to take advantage of them.”

Here are a few things to watch when the Illini and Wolverines play on Saturday afternoon.

Plans for the Memorial Stadium rededication game

Illinois will wear throwback uniforms and helmets with a 1920s theme that pay tribute to the apparel worn by Red Grange and the Fighting Illini during the early years of the football program’s existence. The Illini will trade in their traditional orange helmets for individually hand-painted headgear, designed to match the look of old-fashioned leather lids.

The rest of the uniform also honors Grange’s time at Illinois. The jerseys have a blue base with brown-gold stripes that form a pyramid shape and run from the bottom of the jersey to the top of the numbers. White numbers with blue outlines complete the shirt. The golden brown hue in the stripes is reflected in the color of the tailored trousers and is combined with blue socks to complete the classic look.

Prior to kickoff, a special game ball presentation featuring some of Illinois’ most legendary players will take place from the south end zone to the 50-yard line, with the first handoff made by athletic director and former Illini football player Josh Whitman. . A halftime performance by the Marching Illini includes family members of the early Illinois athletic architects: athletics director George Huff, head football coach Robert Zuppke and Red Grange.

All former football players in attendance line the field during halftime and are honored by the Fighting Illini fans.

Fans are encouraged to get to their seats at 2:00 PM CT to watch the pre-game ball presentation, flyover and Howard Griffith air raid siren.

“Before the season even started, I talked about this game and knew it would draw a lot of attention. At the time, we didn’t know there would be two ranked teams here,” the head coach said. Bret Bielema. “A lot has gone into it and I think our players know, feel and understand that.”

Notable offensive trends in Illinois

The Illini’s home game against the Wolverines will be the first between two ranked teams at Memorial Stadium since 2000. Illinois is looking to secure its first home win as a ranked team since 1991.

The Illinois offense will look to continue its recent success if the Illini look to end that long streak. Altmyer’s best passing day against the Boilermakers last week helped him earn spots on the Davey O’Brien Award, Manning Award Top QB and Maxwell Award watch lists.

The Orange and Blue’s passing game excelled during the first half of 2024, with Altmyer recording at least 200 yards in four of six games. The Illini’s rushing attack provided a nice balance Barry Lunney Jr.‘s offense, as they have eclipsed the 100-yard mark on the ground four times.

Lunney praised his unit’s ability to thrive in the big moments, especially last Saturday against Purdue. The Illini scored 50 points against the Boilermakers, their highest offensive performance in a game since 2018.

“Guys just made plays. That’s the most important thing,” Lunney said when reflecting on the offense’s success against Purdue. “There were just a lot of plays that had to be made, and those guys really took advantage of the opportunity and played really well at critical moments in the game.”

Opponent scout

Three different quarterbacks have taken snaps under center for the Wolverines, with Alex Orji, Jack Tuttle and Davis Warren all earning playing time this season. Orji is the only member of the trio to have appeared in all six games, although Tuttle saw action in Michigan’s most recent game on Oct. 5 in Washington.

The Wolverines’ backroom features two of the Big Ten’s most dynamic rushers. Kalel Mullings leads the team and ranks fourth in the Big Ten with 98.2 rushing yards per game while tallying six rushing scores this season. Donovan Edwards has recorded 58.8 yards per game, along with three touchdowns on the ground.

Michigan’s passing attack is led by Colston Loveland, who has compiled team-best totals in receptions (29), receiving yards (261) and receiving touchdowns (2). WR Semaj Morgan is the only other Wolverine pass-catcher with double-digit catches (13) this season.

“They have talented players at every position,” Henry said. “They’ve played three different quarterbacks this year, so no matter which quarterback they play, they can all run. They all have the ability to throw the ball to a receiver or a tight end. What they are really good at is when they running the ball at a very high level, our goal is to make sure we contain and limit that deep threat and try to create as many negative plays and takeaways as possible.”

Defensively, 2023 All-America defensive back Will Johnson has hauled in a team-high two interceptions, while linebacker Ernest Hausmann has made a team-high 40 tackles. EDGE Josaiah Stewart leads the Wolverines in tackles for loss (8.5), sacks (2.0) and quarterback hurries (5).

“If you watch the film, you see a very disruptive, fast, physical front,” Lunney said. “They have some very high level players across the board. They have a good scheme and are well coached. It’s a very good defense we’re going to play against, and it’s clear they’re a good football team.” I think the experience a few weeks ago at Penn State gave us a similar feeling and a similar type of offensive defense. They’re structurally different, but they’re similar in the way they present themselves, the nervousness, the strength.

“I hope what we went through a few weeks ago will help us prepare for what we’re going to see because this is an extremely aggressive, talented, physical defense.”

Illinois and Michigan face off at 2:30 PM CT on Saturday at sold-out Memorial Stadium. CBS provides the television reporting.