Pregame: Illinois vs Louisiana Tech, Saturday, September 22nd, 7:00pm CT, BTN

Groundhogday · Sep 17, 2012, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AHSIllini32

Yeah exactly, their D is atrocious so I'm not sure how you can pick out 3 players and say how good they are.

Bottom line: If our offense struggles to move the ball and score against Louisiana Tech, we are going to have offensive problems all season.

Dan · Sep 17, 2012, 04:14 PM

Illinois now a 3-pt favorite

http://www.vegasinsider.com/college-...2-12/time/2000

Bigdog13 · Sep 17, 2012, 04:46 PM

Hello Illini. Looking forward to this weekends track meet! I lived outside of Chicago for a while when I was young and became a big fan of your basketball team and try to catch them playing whenever they are on TV.

Saw some earlier predictions and comments. Our offense is probably even better than you think and so far it looks like our defense might be even worse. Both teams are going to score a lot of points. It should be very entertaining. We are probably much faster on offense than what you would be expecting from a non-AQ. For those of you that think ASU is faster than us simply because we play in the WAC and they are a PAC12 team, I think you will be in for a shock. We run an Air Raid offense similar to what Mike Leach ran at Texas Tech except we happen to be loaded at OL and RB this year so our coach has tightened up the splits on the OL and we are running the ball much more.

On Defense, we have big run stuffing DT's over 300#'s that we rotate in and I feel good about them but I think our LB's are a bit slow and definitely our weak point thus far. We generally run a 4-2-5. Unless our DC knows something we don't and can pull a rabbit out of his hat your offense should have a good day but they will have to.

Watch your team when I can and most AQ's every week and trust me those of you who are predicting a low scoring game from either team are in for a surprise. I think you have a good defense but our offense is every bit as good as ASU. I would be completely shocked if either of our teams score under 30. I just hope we don't make your QB look like a Heisman winner.

For those of you who don't know anything about Tech we are in North La. which is pine forest and rolling hills. Not the stereotypical swampy Cajun country at all. This is our last year in the WAC as we are moving to CUSA next year. We have produced 3 former NFL Hall Of Famers so far. Our most well known athletes are Terry Bradshaw and Karl Malone.

After this weekend I wish you nothing but the best. Win out and take the Big10.

scubadunk · Sep 17, 2012, 04:51 PM

Im coming in from Indiana to meet family and friends for this game. Tailgating starts early and Im really looking at the Illini playing their best game of the year so far. I think Nate comes back and helps keep their offense off the field which would have helped the defense against ASU. I think the D learned from ASU and is more prepared for the fast pace spread. LaTech doesnt have the athletes that ASU had and our D will be out to prove themselves against the spread. The offense with Nate back stays in the groove from the CSU game and we take a nice lead and win pretty handily 38-24.

Dan · Sep 17, 2012, 04:51 PM

Thanks for the info Bigdog13! I am a believer in LaTech's offense. Can't wait for Saturday night

Groundhogday · Sep 17, 2012, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigdog13

I think you have a good defense but our offense is every bit as good as ASU. I would be completely shocked if either of our teams score under 30. I just hope we don't make your QB look like a Heisman winner.

Our defense played VERY poorly against ASU. It seems that they had problems communicating with the sideline so guys weren't all playing the same defense, leaving HUGE holes in coverage, missed gaps up front, etc... I don't think that explains everything (we didn't come off the ball well from the beginning) and the late game on the west coast probably had something to do with our struggles, but there is reason to believe our defense is better than what we saw in Arizona.

Bigdog13 · Sep 17, 2012, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groundhogday

Our defense played VERY poorly against ASU. It seems that they had problems communicating with the sideline so guys weren't all playing the same defense, leaving HUGE holes in coverage, missed gaps up front, etc... I don't think that explains everything (we didn't come off the ball well from the beginning) and the late game on the west coast probably had something to do with our struggles, but there is reason to believe our defense is better than what we saw in Arizona.

Well your D was simply awesome last year. One of the best in the country so you know the talent is there. I wouldn't be shocked at all to see them improve and have a good season.

I have a lot of confidence in our offense. Please don't ever take that as a knock on your defense. I know they are good.

Illini2016 · Sep 17, 2012, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigdog13

Hello Illini. Looking forward to this weekends track meet! I lived outside of Chicago for a while when I was young and became a big fan of your basketball team and try to catch them playing whenever they are on TV.

.......

After this weekend I wish you nothing but the best. Win out and take the Big10.

You just helped make my day. Pretty awesome to know that you're rooting for us when we aren't playing LaTech. Also awesome to know that you are from Chicago.

Good luck this weekend, thanks for sharing info with us, and thanks for your class.

Dan · Sep 17, 2012, 08:13 PM

Via email, here's the BTN broadcast crew for LaTech game (we get Leman & Banks another week!)-

Chris Denari (play-by-play), former Illini All-American linebacker J Leman (color analyst) and Tony Banks (sidelines)

NnannasBananas11 · Sep 17, 2012, 08:37 PM

I've been to both home games so far this year, so I haven't heard Leman as an analyst. How does he do with it? He's definitely colorful enough already

Ransom Stoddard · Sep 17, 2012, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NnannasBananas11

I've been to both home games so far this year, so I haven't heard Leman as an analyst. How does he do with it? He's definitely colorful enough already

I thought he did a pretty good job last week. Not too much irrelevant chatter, not too much "when I was a player" talk, and he did a much better job talking about offense than I would have expected for a former LB.

quhawks12 · Sep 18, 2012, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan

Via email, here's the BTN broadcast crew for LaTech game (we get Leman & Banks another week!)-

Chris Denari (play-by-play), former Illini All-American linebacker J Leman (color analyst) and Tony Banks (sidelines)

Banks is so horrible.

Sure Shot · Sep 18, 2012, 07:23 AM

I had a dream last night that we won 62-7. I was very unhappy to have woken up.

quhawks12 · Sep 18, 2012, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure Shot

I had a dream last night that we won 62-7. I was very unhappy to have woken up.

haha! I would have been pissed to wake up too!

NnannasBananas11 · Sep 18, 2012, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure Shot

I had a dream last night that we won 62-7. I was very unhappy to have woken up.

Someone's in the right state of mind

Dan · Sep 18, 2012, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Game 4 Notes: Illinois vs. Louisiana Tech

Illinois is 14-7 all-time in night games at Memorial Stadium and is on a four-game winning streak in home games that begin after 6 p.m. The most recent home game under the lights was last season's 17-14 win over No. 22 Arizona State on Sept. 17.

http://www.fightingillini.com/sports...091812aab.html

txillini · Sep 18, 2012, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure Shot

I had a dream last night that we won 62-7. I was very unhappy to have woken up.

Awesome. I had a nightmare about the game last night. I think I'm probably the only female who has this kind of nightmares about football. :laugh:

I'm glad we have already played the ASU game. I'm hoping that we learned a lot for our defense to deal with their up-tempo offense. I'm also hoping that the crappy defenses they've played have just made their offense look good, but I'm not buying. Obviously if it's giving me nightmares!

cavedawg · Sep 18, 2012, 12:19 PM

Hello Illini fans!

Can't wait for the ballgame this weekend. I'll be there assuming I don't drown myself kayaking in Arkansas Thursday and Friday . I take my three month vacation each year from the oilpatch to follow the Dawgs. It will be a very LONG and entertaining ballgame!! Hope that very talented DL of yours eats their wheaties because our offensive scheme is built around tiring out DL's. We had Rice's on all fours at the end of the game. We played 28 players on offense and 19 on defense this week in a regular rotation. Word from our coaches is your starting QB will play and you will have 90% of your players back. I've seen some posts stating we won't have the speed of ASU or the offensive tempo . That's completely false. We only lack speed at MLB(our achilles on defense).Our freshman RB tandem (self proclaimed hot and spicy), is a very tough combo to defend. King is 5'7" 165Lbs. is a legit 10.6 100 m guy that is really quick and impressive running the ball between the tackles. Dixon is 5'10" 210Lbs. with a nasty attitude and a hell of a flipper. Our offense is averaging a play every 18 seconds. We are killing the chain crew. Our defense statistically looks horrible. In their defense we have played cover 2 almost exclusively and maintained a 2 touchdown lead over Houston and a three touchdown lead over Rice thru much of the second half in those games. We have played with 6 men in the box without blitzing so far this year. I am sure we will show a lot more of the 4-3 look and a lot more of our blitz package this week. If we get ahead early ,it could be a long day for you big boys. We had a lot of trouble in the second half with Rice's heavy package. We couldn't seemed to make a stop on third and short. Maybe being up 25pts. and sitting in our base 4-2-5 was the reason. Ready for a nice COOL evening of football!! GO DAWGS!!!! P.S. I'll be bringing up some crawfish etoufee if any of you yanks are up for it!! Don't worry ,it won't be too spicy, I'm only a half ass. My dad is from Danville via North Muskegon, Michigan .

CUWPC · Sep 18, 2012, 12:45 PM

It’s funny how a fan base (especially Illini nation) seem to think their strengths are underrated and the weaknesses or overstated. Honestly, a few games into the season the truth lies between. Illinois defense is better than they showed at ASU and the La Tech offense is beating up subpar teams with an explosive offense. I think/hope it will be an exciting game, but the Illini strength and power should dominate in the end. I also think penalties will pay a major role. Based on what I have read La Tech is penalized a lot.

scubadunk · Sep 18, 2012, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CUWPC

It’s funny how a fan base (especially Illini nation) seem to think their strengths are underrated and the weaknesses or overstated. Honestly, a few games into the season the truth lies between. Illinois defense is better than they showed at ASU and the La Tech offense is beating up subpar teams with an explosive offense. I think/hope it will be an exciting game, but the Illini strength and power should dominate in the end. I also think penalties will pay a major role. Based on what I have read La Tech is penalized a lot.

And its a home game for the Illini so our Delay of Game penalties should not happen like at ASU.

Dan · Sep 18, 2012, 02:59 PM

Via email blast.

Hey, we got postgame fireworks!

OlivetNaz · Sep 18, 2012, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure Shot

I had a dream last night that we won 62-7. I was very unhappy to have woken up.

Don't underestimate Louisiana Tech. This is a team that, under Sonny Dykes, has made a regular habit of hanging around in games that they have no business actually making a game out of. I think of them as a poor man's Fresno State. They always make an interesting game when you least expect them to.

We won't beat them 62-7. Based on box scores for both teams, it's far more likely that this game winds up 45-42.

Sure Shot · Sep 18, 2012, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OlivetNaz

Don't underestimate Louisiana Tech. This is a team that, under Sonny Dykes, has made a regular habit of hanging around in games that they have no business actually making a game out of. I think of them as a poor man's Fresno State. They always make an interesting game when you least expect them to.

We won't beat them 62-7. Based on box scores for both teams, it's far more likely that this game winds up 45-42.

That's why I was upset that I woke up.

This is just a horrible luck bit of scheduling. I believe this one was on the schedule for a few years back, but there's no blaming Ron Guenther for this, at the time, LT was as anonymous and unthreatening a cupcake as you could schedule, and it was a 1-off home game.

Unfortunately, now they have become a really quality football team that represents a terrible matchup for us, despite the fact that they have zero name recognition. We gain nothing with a win, it's a disaster if we lose. This is why no one used to schedule Boise State.

Now, you can avoid this by scheduling closer to when you're going to play the game, but for cupcakes that's going to cost you a massive premium.

No one said being AD was easy.

I gotta be honest, I think we're going to lose, and lose fairly convincingly. If Nate is fully healthy we might have a chance, but this is an extremely well oiled machine we're running up against, and we just don't have the depth or the fully implemented schemes to compete. Sonny Dykes is a guy that I suggested for our job last year, and some school is going to hire a great coach when he goes.

Groundhogday · Sep 18, 2012, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OlivetNaz

We won't beat them 62-7. Based on box scores for both teams, it's far more likely that this game winds up 45-42.

I doubt we score over 40 points. There are just too many glaring problems with our offense. But against a bad D1 defense, I'm hoping we can score over 30. Will that be enough to win? I'm really not sure.

GilThorpe · Sep 18, 2012, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure Shot

That's why I was upset that I woke up.

This is just a horrible luck bit of scheduling. I believe this one was on the schedule for a few years back, but there's no blaming Ron Guenther for this, at the time, LT was as anonymous and unthreatening a cupcake as you could schedule, and it was a 1-off home game.

.

bad luck? like scheduling UCincinnati and then the they were like 10-0?

no. here is all Ron G had to know about OOC scheduling

1. Never open the year against a major BCS school and play them in their home state in a friggin dome
2. Always schedule one FCS school, preferably to open the year and work out the kinks
3. Game 2, have against either NIU or a neighboring state MAC team
4. Game 3, play a home and away two game series v any given PAC or ACC school
5. Game 4, play against another MAC or CUSA team, or schedule a BigEast or ACC team. Just not one that has just gone to a bowl game. but avoid all teams from Louisiana. Try to get teams from the midwest, who may actually bring some fans.

We have had too many scheduling goofs to claim this run of bad luck is just that, bad luck, and not something else.

Sep 17, 2012, 04:51 PM	#80
Dan Admin Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 25,894	Thanks for the info Bigdog13! I am a believer in LaTech's offense. Can't wait for Saturday night Last edited by Dan; Sep 17, 2012 at 04:55 PM.

Sep 18, 2012, 02:59 PM	#96
Dan Admin Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 25,894	Via email blast. Hey, we got postgame fireworks! Last edited by Dan; Sep 20, 2012 at 12:37 PM.

Sep 17, 2012, 04:14 PM	#77
Dan Admin Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 25,894	Illinois now a 3-pt favorite http://www.vegasinsider.com/college-...2-12/time/2000

Sep 17, 2012, 04:46 PM	#78
Bigdog13 Posts: 2	Hello Illini. Looking forward to this weekends track meet! I lived outside of Chicago for a while when I was young and became a big fan of your basketball team and try to catch them playing whenever they are on TV. Saw some earlier predictions and comments. Our offense is probably even better than you think and so far it looks like our defense might be even worse. Both teams are going to score a lot of points. It should be very entertaining. We are probably much faster on offense than what you would be expecting from a non-AQ. For those of you that think ASU is faster than us simply because we play in the WAC and they are a PAC12 team, I think you will be in for a shock. We run an Air Raid offense similar to what Mike Leach ran at Texas Tech except we happen to be loaded at OL and RB this year so our coach has tightened up the splits on the OL and we are running the ball much more. On Defense, we have big run stuffing DT's over 300#'s that we rotate in and I feel good about them but I think our LB's are a bit slow and definitely our weak point thus far. We generally run a 4-2-5. Unless our DC knows something we don't and can pull a rabbit out of his hat your offense should have a good day but they will have to. Watch your team when I can and most AQ's every week and trust me those of you who are predicting a low scoring game from either team are in for a surprise. I think you have a good defense but our offense is every bit as good as ASU. I would be completely shocked if either of our teams score under 30. I just hope we don't make your QB look like a Heisman winner. For those of you who don't know anything about Tech we are in North La. which is pine forest and rolling hills. Not the stereotypical swampy Cajun country at all. This is our last year in the WAC as we are moving to CUSA next year. We have produced 3 former NFL Hall Of Famers so far. Our most well known athletes are Terry Bradshaw and Karl Malone. After this weekend I wish you nothing but the best. Win out and take the Big10.

Sep 17, 2012, 04:51 PM	#79
scubadunk Location: Indiana Posts: 900	Im coming in from Indiana to meet family and friends for this game. Tailgating starts early and Im really looking at the Illini playing their best game of the year so far. I think Nate comes back and helps keep their offense off the field which would have helped the defense against ASU. I think the D learned from ASU and is more prepared for the fast pace spread. LaTech doesnt have the athletes that ASU had and our D will be out to prove themselves against the spread. The offense with Nate back stays in the groove from the CSU game and we take a nice lead and win pretty handily 38-24.

Sep 17, 2012, 08:13 PM	#84
Dan Admin Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 25,894	Via email, here's the BTN broadcast crew for LaTech game (we get Leman & Banks another week!)- Chris Denari (play-by-play), former Illini All-American linebacker J Leman (color analyst) and Tony Banks (sidelines)

Sep 17, 2012, 08:37 PM	#85
NnannasBananas11 Location: Clarendon Hills Posts: 139	I've been to both home games so far this year, so I haven't heard Leman as an analyst. How does he do with it? He's definitely colorful enough already

Sep 18, 2012, 07:23 AM	#88
Sure Shot Banned Posts: 1,912	I had a dream last night that we won 62-7. I was very unhappy to have woken up.

Sep 18, 2012, 12:19 PM	#93
cavedawg Posts: 6	Hello Illini fans! Can't wait for the ballgame this weekend. I'll be there assuming I don't drown myself kayaking in Arkansas Thursday and Friday . I take my three month vacation each year from the oilpatch to follow the Dawgs. It will be a very LONG and entertaining ballgame!! Hope that very talented DL of yours eats their wheaties because our offensive scheme is built around tiring out DL's. We had Rice's on all fours at the end of the game. We played 28 players on offense and 19 on defense this week in a regular rotation. Word from our coaches is your starting QB will play and you will have 90% of your players back. I've seen some posts stating we won't have the speed of ASU or the offensive tempo . That's completely false. We only lack speed at MLB(our achilles on defense).Our freshman RB tandem (self proclaimed hot and spicy), is a very tough combo to defend. King is 5'7" 165Lbs. is a legit 10.6 100 m guy that is really quick and impressive running the ball between the tackles. Dixon is 5'10" 210Lbs. with a nasty attitude and a hell of a flipper. Our offense is averaging a play every 18 seconds. We are killing the chain crew. Our defense statistically looks horrible. In their defense we have played cover 2 almost exclusively and maintained a 2 touchdown lead over Houston and a three touchdown lead over Rice thru much of the second half in those games. We have played with 6 men in the box without blitzing so far this year. I am sure we will show a lot more of the 4-3 look and a lot more of our blitz package this week. If we get ahead early ,it could be a long day for you big boys. We had a lot of trouble in the second half with Rice's heavy package. We couldn't seemed to make a stop on third and short. Maybe being up 25pts. and sitting in our base 4-2-5 was the reason. Ready for a nice COOL evening of football!! GO DAWGS!!!! P.S. I'll be bringing up some crawfish etoufee if any of you yanks are up for it!! Don't worry ,it won't be too spicy, I'm only a half ass. My dad is from Danville via North Muskegon, Michigan .

Sep 18, 2012, 12:45 PM	#94
CUWPC Posts: 142	It’s funny how a fan base (especially Illini nation) seem to think their strengths are underrated and the weaknesses or overstated. Honestly, a few games into the season the truth lies between. Illinois defense is better than they showed at ASU and the La Tech offense is beating up subpar teams with an explosive offense. I think/hope it will be an exciting game, but the Illini strength and power should dominate in the end. I also think penalties will pay a major role. Based on what I have read La Tech is penalized a lot.