Pregame: Illinois at Arizona State, Saturday, September 8th, 9:30pm CT, ESPN

[Illini2016]

I predicted a victory for the Orange earlier in the week, but I am a little more nervous now. The more I think about the uncertainty with Scheelhaase coupled with the heat and the time change, this is going to be a difficult game. We'll see how it goes. I'll be watching and cheering on our Fighting Illini.

[DaytonIllini]

Originally Posted by AHSIllini32

...:rolleyes:

Are we really going to start rumors about coaches throwing players under the bus after one game?

He's actually correct. Anyone that wanted to take the time to actually check on his assertions can on ESPN3.

2 hours and 39 minutes into the gamecast in the 4th qtr, ROT gets the play called in at 8 or 9 sec on the game clock. Now he doesn't get the play off and it's quite possible that 8 or 9 seconds is long enough to do so. I don't know.

Next play at 6 seconds the play still hasn't come in from the sideline. It lookst like ROT has to call his own play (though you cannot be sure of that) and is explaining to Young where to stand rather than checking the defense as the clock is winding down.

After that it is 3rd and Peoria (18 yds) and ROT goes off tackle for about a yard.

So, I don't think the poster was lying. The coaches screwed up and were dreadfully slow getting the plays into the team. Maybe they didn't like what ROT audibled to but it was their fault quite clearly that he had to call his own play.

[AHSIllini32]

Originally Posted by DaytonIllini

He's actually correct. Anyone that wanted to take the time to actually check on his assertions can on ESPN3.

2 hours and 39 minutes into the gamecast in the 4th qtr, ROT gets the play called in at 8 or 9 sec on the game clock. Now he doesn't get the play off and it's quite possible that 8 or 9 seconds is long enough to do so. I don't know.

Next play at 6 seconds the play still hasn't come in from the sideline. It lookst like ROT has to call his own play (though you cannot be sure of that) and is explaining to Young where to stand rather than checking the defense as the clock is winding down.

After that it is 3rd and Peoria (18 yds) and ROT goes off tackle for about a yard.

So, I don't think the poster was lying. The coaches screwed up and were dreadfully slow getting the plays into the team. Maybe they didn't like what ROT audibled to but it was their fault quite clearly that he had to call his own play.

Ok perhaps on that play but there is no way I believe that a new staff would run the risk of losing the trust of their players by throwing their qb under the bus. Come on now

[LubbockIlliniFan]

Originally Posted by DaytonIllini

He's actually correct. Anyone that wanted to take the time to actually check on his assertions can on ESPN3.

2 hours and 39 minutes into the gamecast in the 4th qtr, ROT gets the play called in at 8 or 9 sec on the game clock. Now he doesn't get the play off and it's quite possible that 8 or 9 seconds is long enough to do so. I don't know.

Next play at 6 seconds the play still hasn't come in from the sideline. It lookst like ROT has to call his own play (though you cannot be sure of that) and is explaining to Young where to stand rather than checking the defense as the clock is winding down.

After that it is 3rd and Peoria (18 yds) and ROT goes off tackle for about a yard.

So, I don't think the poster was lying. The coaches screwed up and were dreadfully slow getting the plays into the team. Maybe they didn't like what ROT audibled to but it was their fault quite clearly that he had to call his own play.

We had this problem in KC last year with 2 O-coordinators, and a head coach who had to micro manage every play call, and the same thing would happen. By the time 3 guys heard the call and approved it our QB had no time to read the D, and audible. This ultimately hurt the Chiefs and Todd Haley lost his job over it.

[DaytonIllini]

Originally Posted by AHSIllini32

Ok perhaps on that play but there is no way I believe that a new staff would run the risk of losing the trust of their players by throwing their qb under the bus. Come on now

Well I saw you suggest that but did he say that? I didn't read it that way. I read it as him explaining a reason why ROT may play better than some expect.

I think it is plausible that they screwed up on the sidelines and he went to an audible they thought was unacceptable. It isn't throwing him under the bus to say we expect better decision making from our QB. Alex G did give ROT an earful as he was coming off the field so it's also possible that the call came in and ROT didn't understand it.

On a more pertinent topic to this thread though something I will be looking closely at tonight is the WR's and their blocking. I only rewatched the ROT part of the game today but I saw 15 and 80 simply standing around on run plays every single time. Not one time did they go and try to hit someone in the secondary. On at least one Ferguson carry that he broke a tackle on it really cost us because a CB that should have been blocked by Millines prevented a really long run by Ferguson.

[illinois_hustle]

I don't understand this whole ROT vs Nate thing. If Nate is healthy he'll play -- he's our #1 QB. If he proves unhealthy, or needs a rest, or they want to give teams a different look, ROT will play. I'm sure the coaching staffs know the strengths of each and are much better positioned to call the plays needed to maximize the positives of these differences.

I don't value the strong opinions of posters with <20 posts about ROT's dominance over Nate. Makes me think it's the same guy in a basement going nuts with his new, cool smartphone.

[the national]

Originally Posted by accountingIllini

This is the thing we all love about collegent athletics. You never know what people are capable of. It only takes one play to turn it all around. I like all 3 of these guys and really think that Any one of them can surprise us with a great game. However, as we discussed, it all starts with our O line. We have some success with moving them around, I think any of the 3 qb's can be successful.

Ironically, last year rot came into the game at a point when we were having trouble moving the ball. We got down around the 25 or so and rot threw a ball down the right sideline. It was almost picked but pass interference was called. The 15 yards was huge and we went went to either put it in the end zone or kick a field goal (in an airport and unable to devote the time to check right now). Got lucky but it was a huge turn of events for us.

Go illini!

I completely agree with the post. All three guys have talent. Thier experience may differ but all three can make plays. Our O-line needs to have a hell of day protecting the qb whoever he is to give us a chance to win. Without that, our offense will be offensive (pun intended )

[MikeThomas4Prez]

FWIW few guys on twitter are saying Scheelhaase is out. Not suprising.

teddy sevransky ‏@teddy_covers Illinois QB Scheelhaase is downgraded to OUT vs Arizona State tonight according to my @sportsoptions live odds screen.



Tim Ring ‏@timring3TV
SOURCE: Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase will not play tonight against ASU.

[Lake Camelot]

Originally Posted by MikeThomas4Prez

FWIW few guys on twitter are saying Scheelhaase is out. Not suprising.

teddy sevransky ‏@teddy_covers Illinois QB Scheelhaase is downgraded to OUT vs Arizona State tonight according to my @sportsoptions live odds screen.



Tim Ring ‏@timring3TV
SOURCE: Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase will not play tonight against ASU.

I am shocked if he doesn't play. After he practiced I was 100 % sure he was going to play.

[256ILLINI]

Well crap. Good luck to Osei and O'Toole, they're going to need it

[RyanK]

Yeah, our season is more important than this one game. As someone said earlier in this thread, I can accept a "good loss" on the road against a good team.

[mattcoldagelli]

Dang

[USNIlliniFan]

Still think we win. It is not all doom and gloom. We have very talented athletes.

[mattcoldagelli]

It is liberating to be going into a game with almost no expectations.

[Juice]

Originally Posted by RyanK

Yeah, our season is more important than this one game. As someone said earlier in this thread, I can accept a "good loss" on the road against a good team.

Oh, come on. No, I want to win this game. ASU lost virtually EVERYONE from last years team and aren't that "good" of a team. Should be a win tonight... So I won't accept a "good loss". You win or you lose

[quhawks12]

A uniform tweak. Blue facemasks.

[Sure Shot]

Originally Posted by MikeThomas4Prez

FWIW few guys on twitter are saying Scheelhaase is out. Not suprising.

teddy sevransky ‏@teddy_covers Illinois QB Scheelhaase is downgraded to OUT vs Arizona State tonight according to my @sportsoptions live odds screen.



Tim Ring ‏@timring3TV
SOURCE: Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase will not play tonight against ASU.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAMLa5ZC-B4

[RyanK]

Originally Posted by Juice

Oh, come on. No, I want to win this game. ASU lost virtually EVERYONE from last years team and aren't that "good" of a team. Should be a win tonight... So I won't accept a "good loss". You win or you lose

Going to have to disagree with you. It's not realistic to expect our team to go into ASU at night and pull out an automatic win. Obviously you want to win every game, but there's no reason to get all pissed off if we play well. Just my opinion.

You can't expect a backup QB to pull an upset win tonight, it's possible, just not likely.

[GilThorpe]

I'm not saying there isnt some truth to those rumors, but I am curious why it isnt more widely reported yet. I guess we wont know until kickoff

[Juice]

Originally Posted by RyanK

Going to have to disagree with you. It's not realistic to expect our team to go into ASU at night and pull out an automatic win. Obviously you want to win every game, but there's no reason to get all pissed off if we play well. Just my opinion.

You can't expect a backup QB to pull an upset win tonight, it's possible, just not likely.

Not automatic, but it should be a win IMO. I agree with you but I will be disappointed. I honestly don't see how ASU puts up enough points against our D to win tonight.. But our offense HAS to be better. That's why we need Nate, cause I'm not confident in ROT

[RyanK]

Originally Posted by GilThorpe

I'm not saying there isnt some truth to those rumors, but I am curious why it isnt more widely reported yet. I guess we wont know until kickoff

I got an update from my ESPN iPhone app today saying he was "doubtful". I agree with you that we should wait for someone on the Illinois side who's credible to say something.

[Juice]

Originally Posted by GilThorpe

I'm not saying there isnt some truth to those rumors, but I am curious why it isnt more widely reported yet. I guess we wont know until kickoff

I agree. Well see come game time.

[Sure Shot]

Originally Posted by Juice

Not automatic, but it should be a win IMO. I agree with you but I will be disappointed. I honestly don't see how ASU puts up enough points against our D to win tonight.

If Nate doesn't play, they might not need any.

[RyanK]

Originally Posted by Juice

Not automatic, but it should be a win IMO. I agree with you but I will be disappointed. I honestly don't see how ASU puts up enough points against our D to win tonight.

Hey, I say I won't be disappointed. But you better bet you a** I'll be throwing/punching/hitting/screaming after every ASU TD.

Hopefully this isn't the case, and I can go to sleep tonight with nothing broken

[Juice]

Originally Posted by RyanK

Hey, I say I won't be disappointed. But you better bet you a** I'll be throwing/punching/hitting/screaming after every ASU TD.

Hopefully this isn't the case, and I can go to sleep tonight with nothing broken

I feel you on this one, man. Lol.