Pregame: Illinois at Northwestern, Saturday, November 24th, 11:00am CT, BTN

[Dan]

Illinois Fighting Illini (2-9, 0-7) at Northwestern Wildcats (8-3, 4-3)

Date: Saturday, November 24th, 2012

Location: Ryan Field, Evanston, IL (47,130)

Time: 11:00am CT

TV: BTN

Check the BTN GameFinder for Illinois-Northwestern channel info- http://btn.com/about/btn-gamefinder/

Series: Illinois leads 54-46-5


B1G LEADERS DIVISION
Ohio State*______7-0__11-0
Penn State*______5-2___7-4
Wisconsin________4-3___7-4
Purdue___________2-5___5-6
Indiana__________2-5___4-7
Illinois_________0-7___2-9
*Ohio State and Penn State are eligible to win the Leaders Division, but ineligible to participate in the B1G title game and postseason play.

B1G LEGENDS DIVISION
Nebraska_________6-1___9-2
Michigan_________6-1___8-3
Northwestern_____4-3___8-3
Minnesota________2-5___6-5
Michigan State___2-5___5-6
Iowa_____________2-5___4-7

[jackman404]

UI: 19
NW: 27

Let's get this season over.

[IlliniOllie]

I hope our defense comes ready to play, because if there's one B1G coach who would be more than happy to run it up on Illinois, it's Fitzy. Unfortunately, I think this team put its best effort forward yesterday and still lost to Purdue, so I don't think this game will go well for the beloved.

NU 38
Illinois 10

[illinidarrin]

Originally Posted by jackman404

UI: 19
NW: 27

Let's get this season over.

I feel the same way. Just end the bleeding and see what happens in the offseason.

[Dan]

I'll go with Illinois playing hard and it's a contest until a 21-0 4th quarter.

Illinois 20
Northwestern 41

[DrewD007]

I guess if we were to only win one B1G game this year, I'm happy it'd be this one. Unfortunately I don't think we will win...

[jackman404]

Originally Posted by Dan

I'll go with Illinois playing hard and it's a contest until a 21-0 4th quarter.

Illinois 20
Northwestern 41

How embarrassing is it that we have to predict if the team will even play hard?

[Dan]

Northwestern opens a 17-pt favorite over Illinois per http://www.vegasinsider.com/college-...4-12/time/1200

[trevdv]

Hahaha... nice spread.

[Redfoxdogs]

Ugh. Don't like to think about it. Hope they play error free and don't give up.

[Sure Shot]

Originally Posted by Dan

Northwestern opens a 17-pt favorite over Illinois per http://www.vegasinsider.com/college-...4-12/time/1200

Too high.

[jackman404]

Originally Posted by Dan

Northwestern opens a 17-pt favorite over Illinois per http://www.vegasinsider.com/college-...4-12/time/1200

I think it should be a clause in every Illini coach's contract that if we are ever 17 point dogs against NORTHWESTERN that they can be terminated immediately. This makes me want to puke.

[Ramrod2010]

I actually think we cover that...

[ILLiniJoe32390]

42-14 Illinois. If becks is going to win a a B1G game it's this one.

[I Hate Lemonier]

Originally Posted by jackman404

I think it should be a clause in every Illini coach's contract that if we are ever 17 point dogs against NORTHWESTERN that they can be terminated immediately. This makes me want to puke.

Lol. We were +16 dogs in 2005 but thats as high as it has ever been vs Northwestern.

[jackman404]

Originally Posted by Ramrod2010

I actually think we cover that...

I think we do as well, but the fact that it's this high to start with makes me sick. This is NORTHWESTERN that we're talking about. All this talk about them being our annoying little brothers and we barely lead the all-time series now...

[I Hate Lemonier]

Originally Posted by Dan

Northwestern opens a 17-pt favorite over Illinois per http://www.vegasinsider.com/college-...4-12/time/1200

Up to 19

[Dan]

http://www.sippinonpurple.com/

[lovedachief]

Norhwestern 45

Illinois 5

Illinois will win the punting game and have more 3rd and nine 3 yard screen pass attempts than Northwestern.

[Dan]

"Rivalry" Week Is Here & So Much More...

I want this one. I want it badly. Ever since Illinois AD Mike Thomas stepped up to the podium in his very first press conference after taking the helm I’ve been wanting to pound the Illini on the field. Thomas replaced the very likable Ron Guenther in Champaign and proclaimed that the Illini would really take back the state. Over time he even claimed he wanted the Illini to be the “Kings of Chicago” – an obvious retort to Northwestern’s “Chicago’s Big Ten Team” marketing slogan. The Illini unveiled an entire campaign that looked, felt and smelled of reactionary marketing with their “Our State. Our Team.” motto. Thomas then went and hired “his guys” in the main revenue sports including Tim Beckman, the former head coach of Toledo. Beckman came in and in essence HELPED the Northwestern brand by barring purple from the Illini wardrobe and putting a red slash through a Northwestern logo outside of the Illini lockerroom. In essence, these motivational tactics seemed to mirror a program that was aspiring to be Northwestern and not the team that has beaten us in back-to-back years. And that’s the only part that really gets to me.

http://www.laketheposts.com/index.ph...-so-much-more/

Wildcats must win LOLHat from winless Illini

http://www.sippinonpurple.com/northw...lincoln-trophy

[trevdv]

That Team Up State - 42
- 24

[ChiSoxIllini82]

High of 36 for Saturday. Will be a chilly one

[trevdv]

Originally Posted by ChiSoxIllini82

High of 36 for Saturday. Will be a chilly one

Why not.

[Dan]

LOL Trophy up for grabs

Rivalry week! #FightingIllini v. The Team Upstate for the Land of Lincoln Trophy! http://pic.twitter.com/LDGfbLyY



http://twitter.com/coachbeckman

[ctblaisdell83]

The good thing is knowing that NU will not run up the score...

(check your meters)