Pregame: Illinois vs Purdue, Saturday, November 17th, 2:30pm CT, BTN

[Dan]

Beckman: Illinois hasn't won on senior day since 2007. Win this week would be big jump for the program.

Hope on Illinois: "They're a good football team, and we're a good football team."

http://twitter.com/ESPN_BigTen

[champaignchris]

I'm gonna go ahead and go there.

We've been playing better these last three weeks. We're about as healthy as we've been all year. This week, we break through and beat the Boilermakers!

Go Illini! Beat Undue Perversity!

[Warriors1994]

Call me a glass half full guy but I wish that we get a good turnout for the game. It makes it alot better to see on TV with alot of orange in blue. Obviously this season has not gone how we wanted but lets give these seniors a nice crowd going out... they were apart of 2 bowl wins. Its the least the fans could do.

[PointGuardU01]

Originally Posted by trevdv

Somehow I pictured an idealistic week 13 game at Northwestern where we were both 5-6, and bowl eligibility was on the line. Lol, clearly that's not happening, but this is the only game left I can see with a W next to the box score. This is more of my heart not my head. Here's to hoping we can finish with just one more win...

- 13
Purdue - 10

I clicked on this thread just to see if anyone would actually still predict us to win. I commend you, sir. You're wrong, but I commend you.

Them 28
Us 6

[PointGuardU01]

Originally Posted by Warriors1994

Call me a glass half full guy but I wish that we get a good turnout for the game. It makes it alot better to see on TV with alot of orange in blue. Obviously this season has not gone how we wanted but lets give these seniors a nice crowd going out... they were apart of 2 bowl wins. Its the least the fans could do.

Good thought. Won't happen, but good thought.

[PointGuardU01]

Originally Posted by Dan

Purdue opens a 4.5-pt favorite over Illinois

http://www.betonline.com/sportsbook#

Illini opponents have covered each of the last 7 games (don't ask me how I know )

[PointGuardU01]

Any word on whether Hope kept a straight face while making that comment?

[CardiacIllini3]

Going to be virtually no students at this one. Last day of classes for us is on Friday and the dorms close Sunday at noon. Many people are giving away their ticket for free.

[AHSIllini32]

Originally Posted by PointGuardU01

Good thought. Won't happen, but good thought.

Originally Posted by PointGuardU01

I clicked on this thread just to see if anyone would actually still predict us to win. I commend you, sir. You're wrong, but I commend you.

Them 28
Us 6

Boy you're dead set on making sure people are as "woe-is-me" as you are about this game aren't you.

And how can a score prediction be wrong before the game is even played?

[illinifan4249]

Originally Posted by Warriors1994

Call me a glass half full guy but I wish that we get a good turnout for the game. It makes it alot better to see on TV with alot of orange in blue. Obviously this season has not gone how we wanted but lets give these seniors a nice crowd going out... they were apart of 2 bowl wins. Its the least the fans could do.

Student section will be emptier than usual- break will have started and kids have to be out of the dorms Saturday morning so a lot of people are selling their ticket for this one. But I will be there and hoping that its worth going so I will predict a victory.

Purdon't 14
ILL 16

[TooHot4Tots]

Illinois 20
Purdue 13

[OrchardDowns]

Purdue 28
Illinois 13

[IlliniWood]

Originally Posted by AHSIllini32

Boy you're dead set on making sure people are as "woe-is-me" as you are about this game aren't you.

And how can a score prediction be wrong before the game is even played?

Someone irritated the Positivity Police...

Seriously, I rarely comment on the board, but I do check in daily. Why is it that you feel a need to respond to most of the negative comments on the board. Just let it go. Most people are just venting.

Even if we win this game, which I doubt will happen, the season has been lost for weeks. I will not be using my tickets this weekend, and will most likely not even turn on the game as I have better things to do. A win or loss this week makes no difference in how I will feel about this season. I hope next year is better, but by a strict schedule comparison, I imagine it will be about the same as this year. I'll still donate my money, buy my tickets, and go into the season with hope (and a desire to experience the new scoreboard and sound system). When that hope diminishes, I'll tailgate outside the stadium the entire game. When the season is lost, and I can't even find enjoyment doing that, I'll stay home. Then I'll hope for the best the season after that.

[RichMahogany]

Purdue isn't that good so we should be able to keep this one close (for us)...

Purdue 31 - Illini 13

[TheSecretWeapon]

Originally Posted by IlliniWood

Someone irritated the Positivity Police...

Seriously, I rarely comment on the board, but I do check in daily. Why is it that you feel a need to respond to most of the negative comments on the board. Just let it go. Most people are just venting.

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke)



Keep up the good fight, AHS.

[Buster]

As much as I would love to see the program succeed, Duke, Kansas, and Kentucky are basketball schools as well, and we are a top tier academic university.
Gotta go with your strenghts.

[Dan]

Purdue's settled in as a 7-pt favorite http://www.vegasinsider.com/college-...7-12/time/1530

Another nice day Saturday-

ILLINI GAME DAY...Sunshine & clouds. Easterly wind 7 mph, gusty. Kick-off temperature 50.

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Senior Day!

Senior Day on Saturday when Purdue comes to Memorial Stadium. Come out and show your appreciation! #IlliniforLife http://instagr.am/p/SBdhobDJpD/



http://twitter.com/IlliniFootball

[PointGuardU01]

Originally Posted by AHSIllini32

Boy you're dead set on making sure people are as "woe-is-me" as you are about this game aren't you.

And how can a score prediction be wrong before the game is even played?

No agendas here, just calling it as I see it. We don't block, we don't tackle, and we don't take care of the ball. That's how I know a prediction of an Illini win is wrong. I would love to say I'm optimistic we can win this week or any other, but the sad fact is we are horrible at football so I can't do that. If it makes you feel better to pretend there are positives with our football team then that's fine, I just don't know how you do it unless we are watching different games each week.

[Sure Shot]

Originally Posted by PointGuardU01

No agendas here, just calling it as I see it. We don't block, we don't tackle, and we don't take care of the ball. That's how I know a prediction of an Illini win is wrong. I would love to say I'm optimistic we can win this week or any other, but the sad fact is we are horrible at football so I can't do that. If it makes you feel better to pretend there are positives with our football team then that's fine, I just don't know how you do it unless we are watching different games each week.

I mean, we only lost by 14 last week against a better team than Purdue. And it was only 14 because of a garbage-time touchdown.

I know it would upset the pity party, but it would not be ultra-shocking for us to win on Saturday.

[trevdv]

Originally Posted by PointGuardU01

I clicked on this thread just to see if anyone would actually still predict us to win. I commend you, sir. You're wrong, but I commend you.

I'm sure I will be wrong, but like I said, this pick is why my heart not my head.

[Redfoxdogs]

3 of us going to the game on Saturday. What I'm hoping for? No penalties, no fumbles and no sacks. Or at least no stupid penalties, no stupid fumbles and an uninjured quarterback at the end of the game.

Weather is going to be great for a November game at least.

We were offered tickets for Northwestern. Passing on that one. Thinking about not watching and replaying the last two versions of that match up in my head instead. BUT. I will probably watch, just in case, like I always do.

[PotatoesPotatoesX2]

Originally Posted by Redfoxdogs

We were offered tickets for Northwestern. Passing on that one.

The Illini fan in me says, "Good job, screw Northwestern, purple is a stupid color, ILL -INI"

But the football fan in me says "Damn, Northwestern v Michigan State should be a really good game"

That said I'm going:
Purdon't 20
Illini 10
Unfortunately I just can't see the offense putting up more.

[PointGuardU01]

Originally Posted by Sure Shot

I mean, we only lost by 14 last week against a better team than Purdue. And it was only 14 because of a garbage-time touchdown.

I know it would upset the pity party, but it would not be ultra-shocking for us to win on Saturday.

It would be shocking to me. We just don't do any of the things it takes to win football games. I hope I am shocked...it would be wonderful.

[lovedachief]

Bad(Purdue) 30

Worse(Illinois) 20

[Dan]

#Illini and #Purdue have played for the "Cannon" rivalry trophy since 1943. #B1G #TBT @ESPNCFB @BigTenNetwork http://pic.twitter.com/BQneICoK



Saturday's game against #Purdue will be the final home game for 20 #Illini seniors: http://www.fightingillini.com/sports...111512aaa.html …. #SeniorDay http://twitpic.com/bdjcom



It'll be another beautiful day for tailgating & football tomorrow! #Illini vs #Purdue kicks at 2:30 CT. @BoilerFootball http://twitpic.com/bdq8gg



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Last home game at Memorial for these #IlliniSeniors. http://www.fightingillini.com/sports...111512aaa.html … http://pic.twitter.com/YmpJmmuh



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