Media like Michigan vs Wisconsin in Big Ten title game

[Dan]

LEADERS
Team (First-place votes) Points
1. Wisconsin (19) 139
2. Ohio State (5) 125
3. Purdue 79
4. Illinois 72
5. Penn State 65
6. Indiana 24

LEGENDS
Team (First-place votes) Points
1. Michigan (16) 134
2. Michigan State (7) 120
3. Nebraska (1) 104
4. Iowa 72
5. Northwestern 51
6. Minnesota 24

http://db.lsj.com/blogswp/hey_joe/20...-top-recruits/

[AHSIllini32]

Tied for 7th overall with Iowa and 4th in our own division behind Purdue eh?

[jackman404]

1/3 of the Leaders division is ineligible for the title game this season, unreal. It's Wisconsin's division to lose. But if we are ever gonna have another 2007 season where we make one great upset to sneak into an incredible bowl game, the Wisconsin game this year would be that game.

[ThaKid101]

LOL at the media...a lot of people are in for a big surprise with the Illini.

[IllinoisTed]

Originally Posted by ThaKid101

LOL at the media...a lot of people are in for a big surprise with the Illini.

Knock it off with this nonsense. There is a glaring lack of depth and playmakers with experience for anyone to be expecting anything other than something close to 2011. The defense is going to HAVE to stay healthy and keep the team in games this year. Hell, even TB says the depth is real problem. And if the OL doesn't improve- Nate better bring extra pairs of cleats each game because he's going to be running for his life often.

The media probably have it right this year. Though I think MSU or Nebraska could win the division. Michigan has a Sr QB, which usually propels teams just ahead of others. MSU defense should be very good which will help some as they are breaking in a new QB. The UM-MSU game should decide the division.

[ThaKid101]

No YOU knock it off with the nonsense. This team is going to surprise. If people did their homework they'd see it. Offense is a worry to some, not me. Defense will be special and ST will be very good.

[mattcoldagelli]

That's great that you're optimistic and everything, but your opinions are not the result of someone doing their homework.

[ThaKid101]

Originally Posted by mattcoldagelli

That's great that you're optimistic and everything, but your opinions are not the result of someone doing their homework.

It absolutely is. If you did your homework it would be easy to see the things I do. We'll see soon enough.

[cmore]

Originally Posted by ThaKid101

It absolutely is. If you did your homework it would be easy to see the things I do. We'll see soon enough.

Didnt you tell us last year how great the team would be. And the year before that. And o yeah, the year before that. Soothsayer you are not. But keep saying it every year, because sooner or later you will be right (hopefully) and you will pound your chest and say "I told you we would have a MONSTER year".

[KJKobs]

Originally Posted by cmore

Didnt you tell us last year how great the team would be. And the year before that. And o yeah, the year before that. Soothsayer you are not. But keep saying it every year, because sooner or later you will be right (hopefully) and you will pound your chest and say "I told you we would have a MONSTER year".

Post of the Decade

[ryls]

Well it's possible after tomorrow we may only have to beat three teams to get in the Big Ten Championship game, I'm ready for the season and lets see what the team can do.

[DrewD007]

The problem is playing at Wisconsin. I fear we'll lose that game and thus need Wisconsin in to probably lose 3 other games (to go 5-3 in conference) and us to only lose one other (to go 6-2 to avoid losing the head-to-head tiebreaker). Of course if we end up winning at Madison, then our chances are much more favorable.

[ThaKid101]

Originally Posted by cmore

Didnt you tell us last year how great the team would be. And the year before that. And o yeah, the year before that. Soothsayer you are not. But keep saying it every year, because sooner or later you will be right (hopefully) and you will pound your chest and say "I told you we would have a MONSTER year".

Actually I haven't said that every year. That's a myth much like a lot of other stuff people keep posting. Its true that I said they would last year, but between Millines being hurt, Jones going to jail (Would've been best DT recruit yet), things happen. I'm not going back on anything I have said though. Things could have easily been different even with the things that happened if the Illini weren't getting so many BS calls (And non calls). I noticed it in 2010 but 2011 took it to another level. There were probably 2 or 3 games in which officiating played a huge role.

[ThaKid101]

And besides all that, this is a new era. Beckman is a great coach who is going to take the Illini to where Zook was very close to getting, and that's at the top of the B10.

[mattcoldagelli]

Originally Posted by ThaKid101

And besides all that, this is a new era. Beckman is a great coach who is going to take the Illini to where Zook was very close to getting, and that's at the top of the B10.

I am not sure there's any metric you could use to make the case that Zook had us "very close" to the top of the Big Ten.

[NS2toAJ8]

I'd agree with the championship game. But I don't think we will be far behind Wisconsin. They are not that good this year but like mentioned earlier playing there makes them
A bother level. I think Ohio State will have the best record in our division followed by wisky and then us.

[Thacher_H_Guild]

Originally Posted by mattcoldagelli

I am not sure there's any metric you could use to make the case that Zook had us "very close" to the top of the Big Ten.

Zook had them very much closer to the top than when Turner left the program.

It's hard to think of a scenario in which Wisky doesn't make the title game, but weird things do happen sometimes. Wisky did have a lot of turnover on their staff, which is always a bit of a concern, and I think for a program like Wisconsin, it is definitely a question mark because they have tended to win at an elite level without elite recruiting classes (which suggests that the continuity in a high quality program has been important). Based on the recent past, we'd expect them to win their division easily, but if the transition causes them to underperform a bit, who knows. I expect them to lose in Lincoln, and then if they drop another in there....

I think the schedule favors them because they get Michigan State and Ohio State at home. I think they'll be comfortable favorites in both of those games at home, but they would not be on the road.

[IllinoisTed]

Originally Posted by ThaKid101

Actually I haven't said that every year. That's a myth much like a lot of other stuff people keep posting. Its true that I said they would last year, but between Millines being hurt, Jones going to jail (Would've been best DT recruit yet), things happen. I'm not going back on anything I have said though. Things could have easily been different even with the things that happened if the Illini weren't getting so many BS calls (And non calls). I noticed it in 2010 but 2011 took it to another level. There were probably 2 or 3 games in which officiating played a huge role.

http://www.illinoisloyalty.com/Forum...ead.php?t=9511

" I see them being in the NC hunt this year and the future is extremely bright at Illinois. I can't wait for this season to start!!!"

That is just an example from pre 2009 season. I don't think I need to remind you of the record that year do I?

[ThaKid101]

Originally Posted by mattcoldagelli

I am not sure there's any metric you could use to make the case that Zook had us "very close" to the top of the Big Ten.

All you have to do is look at the rosters to see. Talent wise they were always in the top 10. They just didn't catch the breaks, which also includes juniors not coming back. With four tremendous players coming back, that's going to be what pushes the Illini over the hump. I can't wait.

[IllinoisTed]

Originally Posted by ThaKid101

No YOU knock it off with the nonsense. This team is going to surprise. If people did their homework they'd see it. Offense is a worry to some, not me. Defense will be special and ST will be very good.

ST will be "very good"? Did we not lost a stud kicker? The ST were a train wreck last year but now they will be "very good"? Why?

Defense should be very good. Barring a rash of injuries.

The offense has given you no reason to think it could be a problem. An erratic QB, no proven playmakers and a suspect OL is NOT something any logical person could ignore.

[ThaKid101]

Originally Posted by IllinoisTed

http://www.illinoisloyalty.com/Forum...ead.php?t=9511

" I see them being in the NC hunt this year and the future is extremely bright at Illinois. I can't wait for this season to start!!!"

That is just an example from pre 2009 season. I don't think I need to remind you of the record that year do I?

Look at the roster from that year. They were the most talented team in the B10. Obviously I didn't forsee Schultz's offense being such a fail that year but regardless that has nothing to do with now, both for the Illini and me. They're in better position than ever and for me my knowledge then doesn't compare to now.

[IllinoisTed]

Originally Posted by ThaKid101

Look at the roster from that year. They were the most talented team in the B10. Obviously I didn't forsee Schultz's offense being such a fail that year but regardless that has nothing to do with now, both for the Illini and me. They're in better position than ever and for me my knowledge then doesn't compare to now.

More excuses. Always something with you for you to fall back on.

It does prove that you make ridiculous claims every year. This year included.

[ThaKid101]

Originally Posted by IllinoisTed

ST will be "very good"? Did we not lost a stud kicker? The ST were a train wreck last year but now they will be "very good"? Why?

Defense should be very good. Barring a rash of injuries.

The offense has given you no reason to think it could be a problem. An erratic QB, no proven playmakers and a suspect OL is NOT something any logical person could ignore.

LOL at this. Talk about extremes. The only part of ST that was bad was returns which wasn't due to lack of playmakers. Put Hawthorne back there and he changes a few of those games aroung (Like he'll do this year). Frain is a stud (Already impressing). ST coverage has been very good (Name the last time they gave up a return TD). That along with the fact that this staff has top ST coaches and the jump will be big IMO (Could be monumental). Top coaches, elite athletes and studs at both K and P is usually a good formula for top ST. Defense will be special and on offense all those young playmakers are a year older.

[ThaKid101]

Originally Posted by IllinoisTed

More excuses. Always something with you for you to fall back on.

It does prove that you make ridiculous claims every year. This year included.

There are reasons why things do and don't happen. I've laid out why I think things went different than my predictions. Its a waste of time posting back and forth, but also because you clearly don't know what you're talking about. Posts of yours you calling Scheelhaase an 'erratic' passer show that (He completed over 63% last year and will jump to 68-71% this year IMO). What's the point of arguing with someone who doesn't know what they're talking about.

[ThaKid101]

Originally Posted by IllinoisTed

More excuses. Always something with you for you to fall back on.

It does prove that you make ridiculous claims every year. This year included.

There are reasons why things do and don't happen. I've laid out why I think things went different than my predictions. Its a waste of time posting back and forth anyway because of posts like this, but also because you clearly don't know what you're talking about. Posts of yours you calling Scheelhaase an 'erratic' passer show that (He completed over 63% last year and will jump to 68-71% this year IMO). What's the point of arguing with someone who doesn't know what they're talking about.