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

[AHSIllini32]

SOC - Louisiana Tech

Given all of that, and with the Arizona State disaster, I just can’t pick us to win tomorrow. I fear that more than half of those players listed above won’t play, and we just don’t have the depth to cover for that. Especially against a team that is going to try to run 100 offensive plays tomorrow. Heart says yes, head says no.

Louisiana Tech 37, Illinois 34

I'm surprised Robert seems to think we won't have enough offense but still picks us to score 34.

I know we looked like CSU when trying to cover Arizona state's offense but I just can't see us leaving guys in the flat open by 20 yards again. I dunno maybe I'm overestimatingthe corrections but I just can't see our defense being that bad again this week...but we'll see.

[Illinigirl]

Loading up the car and getting ready to head down to Champaign. Looking forward to a great day - it will be my little guys 1st Illini game & he is beyond excited. Think we will pull this one out and end it with a win. I don't think our defense is going to let what happened at ASU happen again.

[IlliniKat91]

Originally Posted by Illinigirl

Loading up the car and getting ready to head down to Champaign. Looking forward to a great day - it will be my little guys 1st Illini game & he is beyond excited. Think we will pull this one out and end it with a win. I don't think our defense is going to let what happened at ASU happen again.

Have fun! I know I'm excited for your little guy. First sporting events are a big deal for kids who grow up in "sports families." I don't think they'll let La. Tech. mow them down either, not at home, not for an excited night game in definite football weather.

Everyone who gets to go today, I'm super jealous! Have a great time, and bring us home a win.

[BigStan97]

This blows the game isn't on BTN for me at least (toledo ohio area) so now i gotta find a live feed of the game online

anyone got any ideas to look for that live stream online once the game starts let me know

[Groundhogday]

Finally had a chance to watch some of the LA Tech vs. Rice game on ESPN3. Interesting that LA Tech runs as many plays (more?) out of the "hybrid option" formation as the Air Raid spread. The "hybrid option" is like a pistol offense but with two H-Backs lined up on opposite sides of the formation and two WR. From what I can tell, one of the H-backs is a huge, mobile blocker (No. 99 is a 330 lb DT) and the other a big WR/TE (e.g. No. 89, 6-4, 230 lb WR). This is a power formation, but by putting the extra OL and TE in the H-back positions, LA Tech has more flexibility than a traditional power offense.

An analogy for us would be to put Hugh Thornton and Jon Davis at H-back positions with the QB in the Pistol and a fast scat-back like Ferguson behind him. What makes this formation particularly tough is that they have speed at the WR positions. The first LA touchdown was out of the hybrid option on a play action post route.

[Groundhogday]

Originally Posted by BigStan97

This blows the game isn't on BTN for me at least (toledo ohio area) so now i gotta find a live feed of the game online

anyone got any ideas to look for that live stream online once the game starts let me know

Should be carried on BTN2go.

[Ron Zooks Barber]

Originally Posted by Groundhogday

Bingo. The first article you posted also suggested that players were more likely to suffer serious injuries on grass (more abrasions, etc... on Field turf).

[Groundhogday]

More thoughts on 1st quarter of LA Tech vs. Rice game:

• The LA Tech offense is nothing like ASU. Very little motion beyond the occasional back moved out to the end or slot WR motioned into the backfield. No jet sweeps, etc...
• Generally air raid or "hybrid option" formations. Nothing fancy. Good OL play (very mobile OL), very quick backs with good vision, and a precise passing game. Whereas ASU beats you with a lot of formations and motion, LA Tech wins with execution.
• They pull the OL a lot, plus the H-backs can go different directions. They run out of the spread (inside handoffs) as well as the "hybrid option".
• QB rarely runs the ball. He is a passer.
• The true freshman RB King had fumbling problems in the spring and coughed it up a couple of times in the 1st quarter.
• The LA Tech defense stuffed Rice on the first 4-5 possessions. This doesn't look like a bad defense. I wonder how much of their yardage and points were given up late in blowouts.

[Buster]

They are impressive but beatable. I predict a win on a last minute int. returned for a touchtown

[Buster]

MT on the air right now.

[Fasz]

Windy is an understatement here at the tailgate. Which offense does this hurt more?...or is it equal?

[Illini125]

Originally Posted by Fasz

Windy is an understatement here at the tailgate. Which offense does this hurt more?...or is it equal?

Looks like the wind is supposed to die down before game time anyway. Weather channel shows 22-24 mph winds until 6. Then 12 mph until 7. Then 8-9 mph the rest of the night.

[USNIlliniFan]

Bad for both offenses. Hurts deep pass routes, kicking game and really screws with the aluminum foil covering all the tailgate goodies....dang!

[ILLINIFAN2]

I thought this tweet was funny:


Fake Coach Beckman‏@CoachTimBeckman

Exciting day in Champaign - if you have some spare time from obsessing over the XRM & DJ visit, maybe come watch FOOTBALL tonight?

[USNIlliniFan]

I have FiOS, and the overflow BTN 1 channel has the Illini game scheduled (in Virginia, so don't know about other providers, but if you have over flow BTN channels, should be able to find it).

[DrShawn10]

Can anyone help me find the route and time that the team walks to the stadium. My 4 boys and I want to be there to cheer them on. Are they doing it for tonights game?
Thanks

[BigStan97]

im in Toledo OH (buckeye cable system provider) and they dont cover my provider....so i gotta search once the game starts any live feed online

[USNIlliniFan]

Originally Posted by BigStan97

im in Toledo OH (buckeye cable system provider) and they dont cover my provider....so i gotta search once the game starts any live feed online

That does suck..

[BigStan97]

hahahaha ya so ill be watching the game from my MAC from some crappy live feed probably

[chucktownillini]

Illini 49 LA Tech 28 Bring on Penn St!!!

[Illini2016]

Originally Posted by DrShawn10

Can anyone help me find the route and time that the team walks to the stadium. My 4 boys and I want to be there to cheer them on. Are they doing it for tonights game?
Thanks

They are doing it for tonight's game! They walk through street fest, which I believe is taking place on First Street between Kirby and Irwin. They'll walk at 4:30pm.

Originally Posted by chucktownillini

Illini 49 LA Tech 28 Bring on Penn St!!!

This is what I am afraid of. This is not a blowoff game and we should not be looking ahead to Penn State. Look at what happened when Arkansas looked ahead to Alabama...

[Groundhogday]

Originally Posted by Illini2016

This is what I am afraid of. This is not a blowoff game and we should not be looking ahead to Penn State. Look at what happened when nsas looked ahead to Alabama...

If not for home field, we probably arent favored.

[wpr]

Originally Posted by Hoppy2105

I'll be getting back from deployment just in time to be at this game! Illinois comes together and scores enough to win while the D gives up some points but holds em off.

27-24 Illini

Thanks Hoppy for your service.

I hope you have a great time.

[mviger11]

Some procrastination-laden analysis of the Illini Passing Offense, in time for those of you just waking up.

Illini Football Playbook

http://illinifootballplaybook.blogsp...ngOffense.html

The main point I’m trying to make here are that there’s a lot that goes into every completion. A defense can, on the whole, play a really solid game assignment-wise. But, with enough pass protection, well-designed route combinations, and a quarterback that can make all the throws, guys are gonna be open.

[chucktownillini]

Originally Posted by Illini2016

They are doing it for tonight's game! They walk through street fest, which I believe is taking place on First Street between Kirby and Irwin. They'll walk at 4:30pm.



This is what I am afraid of. This is not a blowoff game and we should not be looking ahead to Penn State. Look at what happened when Arkansas looked ahead to Alabama...

Oh, I don't think the team is looking ahead past this game, I just feel we are gonna hit on all cylinders against this defense & our defense will be ready for LA Tech's offense. Now as for myself, yes I am looking ahead towards Penn St! Go Illini!!!