Michigan State 24, Illinois 14

The vibe among Illinois fans after the game was rightly one of despair.  Matt Hinton at Dr. Saturday went as far as to say that that Illinois is "closing in on Washington State as the worst 'Big Six' conference team in the country."  The reactions aren't surprising considering Michigan State dominated the first half and the game wasn't even as close as the 17-0 halftime score indicated given that the Spartans had a fumble on the goal line and another drive that stalled out in Illinois territory.

At the half, Michigan State had outgained Illinois 282-60, averaged 6.7 yards per play to Illinois' 3.3, and ran 42 plays to 18 by Illinois.  Domination in every sense.  And after Eddie McGee threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown, the game was more or less over at 24-0.  Yet the final score and statistics wound up looking not so bad as the Illini outplayed the Spartans significantly in the second half:

The obvious reaction is to say that the game was over in the second half.  But it wasn't, necessarily.  The defense legitimately played much better in the second half, and although the offense was still scuffling until a 4 play, 67 yard touchdown drive near the end, the team played better once McGee was pulled for Juice.  Yeah, it's not much to go off of.  But considering some of my friends and family are forecasting a 1-11 season for Illinois, the second half performance is an indication, to me at least, that things aren't that hopeless yet.  Some signs of life are better than none at all, and some signs of life put Illinois a long way ahead of Washington State.