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Third-ranked Michigan often looks unstoppable on offense while averaging 50 points per game.And that side of the ball isnt even the Wolverines most impressive unit.The run stuffers, pass rushers and ball hawks have been superb through the first half of the campaign and Michigan looks to improve to 7-0 when it hosts Illinois in a Big Ten contest Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network).The Wolverines (3-0 Big Ten) lead the nation in scoring defense (10.3 points per game), total defense (212.8 yards per game) and passing defense (113.7). They also rank ninth in rushing defense (99.2) and have held five opponents to 14 or fewer points.The unit has been exceptional on third-down defense, allowing 10 of 82 opportunities (a national-low 12.2 percent) to be converted. Rutgers was 0 for 17 in such situations in Michigans last contest -- a 78-0 victory Oct. 8.Senior defensive end Taco Charlton said the players are aware of the superb statistical tidbits.We definitely care because it shows the hard work does pay off, Charlton told reporters. It shows in the rankings and in the games were a great defense and weve been able to prove that and were proving out there we are that great defense we always talked about, that coaches talked us being.Star outside linebacker Jabrill Peppers (10 tackles for losses) is the marquee player on the unit but he is far from the lone standout.Defensive coordinator Don Brown has been the mastermind of the success. But even better is that nobody is satisfied -- even with all those stellar stats midway through the season.Its about not getting complacent and trying to perfect your craft every day, and I think were doing a good job of that, senior defensive tackle Ryan Glasgow said. We have a more mature team thats not going to let this go to their head, but well see in the second half of the season. We still have a ways to go.Illinois coach Lovie Smith is well aware of the impressive nuggets -- both defensively and offensively and knows his squad is facing a formidable foe.We realize who we have this week, Smith said at a press conference. Theyre one of the best teams in the country. We look forward to that challenge.Making the task of springing an upset tougher is this fact: The Fighting Illini (2-4, 1-2) have dropped 14 consecutive games against ranked foes and 23 of their past 24.Smith, the former NFL coach of the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, recorded his first Big Ten victory when Illinois defeated Rutgers 24-7 last week. The victory halted a four-game skid.Sophomore quarterback Chayce Crouch could be in for line for his second consecutive start. Senior starter Wes Lunt missed the Rutgers game with a back injury and Smith hasnt indicated whether Lunt will return against the Wolverines.Crouch replaced Lunt in the Oct. 8 loss to Purdue and was 6-of-14 passing for 92 yards, one touchdown and one interception in his start against the Scarlet Knights.Chayce Crouch was just gutting it out, playing good football again like he did the previous week, Smith said. We would have liked that interception back, but just liked the energy hes brought to our football team.Slowing down the Wolverines offense figures to be a challenge for a team that allowed an average of 36.8 points during its four-game losing streak.However, Illinois does a feature a trio of solid defenders in senior middle linebacker Hardy Nickerson Jr. (58 tackles, two interceptions), and senior defensive ends Carroll Phillips (11 tackles for losses, including four sacks) and Dawuane Smoot (eight tackles for losses).Michigans rushing attack rolled up 481 yards and tied a school record of nine touchdowns in the rout of Rutgers. Freshman Chris Evans had a season-best 153 yards and leads the team with 400 yards.Sophomore quarterback Wilton Speight has passed for 1,194 yards and 11 touchdowns but coach Jim Harbaugh is most impressed with the fact he has been intercepted only twice in 159 passes. Senior receiver Amara Darboh has team-best outputs of 25 receptions, 400 yards and five touchdowns.The Wolverines continue to incorporate Peppers into the offense and he is averaging 19.6 yards on five rushes.Hes just got really great instincts with the ball in his hands, Michigan offensive coordinator Tim Drevno said. He kind of knows to feel something and its second nature to him. Hes got a special thing about him. You dont find guys like that. Vapormax Plus Womens Ireland . Capitals head coach Adam Oates said Ovechkin was injured in the first period against the Vancouver Canucks on Monday and clarified it was not a head injury. Vapormax Plus White Ireland . They were putting most of their energy into a record-setting offensive display. http://www.outletvapormaxireland.com/vapormax-plus-wholesale-china.html . The 29-year-old Baines has established himself as one of the top attacking full backs in the country and was the subject of two bids from United during the last off-season. Everton manager Roberto Martinez says that keeping Baines at the club is a "massive boost and exciting for the future" because he brings "maturity and football knowledge in a very specialized position on the pitch" and an "infectious and positive influence to the rest of the squad. Vapormax Flyknit Ebay Ireland . -- Adam Snyder returned to the San Francisco 49ers this season because the offensive lineman thought it was his best opportunity to win a championship. Vapormax Flyknit Womens Ireland . PAUL, Minn. Richmond coach Damien Hardwick wont clutch at straws - or head-to-head records - as his AFL side prepare to face Greater Western Sydney.The Tigers, playing only for pride in the final five rounds of the season, face second-placed GWS in Canberra on Saturday.Richmond have won all five of their previous clashes with GWS.But Hardwick knows the expansion side are a different prospect this season, having won five of their past six matches to all but secure a maiden finals berth.Weve had a good record against them previously but thats got no bearing on this games result, Hardwick said.Its not something we worry too much about. We did our oppo presentation to the players today (Thursday), theyre an incredible side.They are a side that has matured. Theyve come together over 2-3 years and started to formulate a game plan that can be really strong. We look forward to the challenge.Hardwick was wary of the Giants run but was just as impressed with their contested-ball work in recent weeks..ddddddddddddTheir stoppage numbers are very, very good, he said.Well put a lot of work into that area.Richmond are coming off a 70-point loss to Hawthorn, with Hardwick lamenting their shameful lack of pressure after a final-quarter fadeout at the MCG.Hardwick insisted his side had plenty to play for this year despite being out of finals contention.Were going to try a few different things with regards to how we play, how we defend and set up around the ball, he said.Thats all part and parcel of building in a springboard to 2017. It keeps us invigorated as a coaching group and playing group.Theres certainly some upside for us from that point of view.RICHMONDS RECORD AGAINST GWSR14, 2015: 9 point win at MCGR19, 2014: 27 point win at MCGR10, 2014: 113 point win at ShowgroundsR22, 2013: 121 point win at ShowgroundsR12, 2012: 12 point win at Showgrounds. ' ' '