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No. 25 Michigan vows to stay focused on Illinois

By Associated Press
SHARE No. 25 Michigan vows to stay focused on Illinois
Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson takes off on a 59-yard gain against Purdue during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. Michigan defeated Purdue 44-13.

Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson takes off on a 59-yard gain against Purdue during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. Michigan defeated Purdue 44-13.

Michael Conroy, Associated Press
1 of 9
Michigan running back Thomas Rawls (38) tries to get over Purdue safety E.J. Johnson as he picks up 19 yards during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. Michigan defeated Purdue 44-13.

Michigan running back Thomas Rawls (38) tries to get over Purdue safety E.J. Johnson as he picks up 19 yards during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. Michigan defeated Purdue 44-13.

Michael Conroy, Associated Press
2 of 9
Michigan linebacker Kenny Demens, left, tackles Purdue running back Akeem Shavers during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012.

Michigan linebacker Kenny Demens, left, tackles Purdue running back Akeem Shavers during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012.

Michael Conroy, Associated Press
3 of 9
Michigan wide receiver Roy Roundtree, left, pushes off Purdue linebacker Will Lucas as he picks up 10 yards on a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012.

Michigan wide receiver Roy Roundtree, left, pushes off Purdue linebacker Will Lucas as he picks up 10 yards on a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012.

Michael Conroy, Associated Press
4 of 9
Michigan head coach Brady Hoke yells to his team as they play against Purdue during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012.

Michigan head coach Brady Hoke yells to his team as they play against Purdue during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012.

Michael Conroy, Associated Press
5 of 9
Michigan defensive back Raymon Taylor returns an interception for a 63-yard touchdown against Purdue during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012.

Michigan defensive back Raymon Taylor returns an interception for a 63-yard touchdown against Purdue during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012.

Michael Conroy, Associated Press
6 of 9
Michigan defensive back Raymon Taylor, center, celebrates with defensive end Craig Roh, left, and safety Jordan Kovacs after scoring a touchdown on a 63-yard interception against Purdue during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafaye

Michigan defensive back Raymon Taylor, center, celebrates with defensive end Craig Roh, left, and safety Jordan Kovacs after scoring a touchdown on a 63-yard interception against Purdue during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012.

Michael Conroy, Associated Press
7 of 9
Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, right, dives to the one-yard line as he's tackled by Purdue defensive tackle Kawann Short during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012.

Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, right, dives to the one-yard line as he’s tackled by Purdue defensive tackle Kawann Short during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012.

Michael Conroy, Associated Press
8 of 9
Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, center, gets past Purdue defensive end Ryan Russell (99) as he picks up 38 yards during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012.

Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, center, gets past Purdue defensive end Ryan Russell (99) as he picks up 38 yards during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012.

Michael Conroy, Associated Press
9 of 9
Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson takes off on a 59-yard gain against Purdue during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. Michigan defeated Purdue 44-13.
Michigan running back Thomas Rawls (38) tries to get over Purdue safety E.J. Johnson as he picks up 19 yards during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. Michigan defeated Purdue 44-13.
Michigan linebacker Kenny Demens, left, tackles Purdue running back Akeem Shavers during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012.
Michigan wide receiver Roy Roundtree, left, pushes off Purdue linebacker Will Lucas as he picks up 10 yards on a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012.
Michigan head coach Brady Hoke yells to his team as they play against Purdue during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012.
Michigan defensive back Raymon Taylor returns an interception for a 63-yard touchdown against Purdue during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012.
Michigan defensive back Raymon Taylor, center, celebrates with defensive end Craig Roh, left, and safety Jordan Kovacs after scoring a touchdown on a 63-yard interception against Purdue during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafaye
Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, right, dives to the one-yard line as he's tackled by Purdue defensive tackle Kawann Short during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012.
Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, center, gets past Purdue defensive end Ryan Russell (99) as he picks up 38 yards during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan coach Brady Hoke says he doesn't think his team will have any problems focusing on Illinois while a highly anticipated matchup looms against rival Michigan State next week.

The 25th-ranked Wolverines are favored by more than two touchdowns to beat the Fighting Illini on Saturday at home.

Michigan is coming off a 44-13 victory at Purdue and has steadily improved since opening with a lopsided loss to Alabama. Illinois, meanwhile, has lost three straight games by a combined score of 118-45 and four games this year by an average of 26 points.

The Wolverines insist they're taking the Illini seriously because they're one of the teams to beat in a quest to end a Big Ten title drought that dates to 2004.

Follow Larry Lage on Twitter: http://twitter.com/larrylage

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