Pregame: Illinois vs Penn State, Friday, September 21st, 8:00pm CT, FS1

[NScale]

Friday night vs Saturday night.

Yeah but, 6:30 got us out at 10:00 and I was home to StL by 1:00 am. With 8:00 pm game, done at midnight. Students go back to the dorms to sleep before having to wake Sunday to study. Meanwhile, alums living out of town will be driving bleary-eyed. No, this game will not draw, too easy to watch on TV and doze off at halftime.

 

[Deleted member 533939]

I won't argue that the D-Line needs to play better, but against South Florida it was a tale of two halves. First half they were very disruptive even without getting sacks. They were batting passes down, getting pressure and going sideline to sideline for tackles. Plus our O dominated the time of possession in 1st half keeping them fresh.

Second half they did get worn down and were not effective. Some of that credit goes to USF however as they absolutely mauled Ga Tech in the 4th quarter as well. They are a big, athletic and physical team. There won't be much difference from an athletic standpoint between Penn St and South Florida

I respectfully, but vehemently, disagree. To compare PSU's O-line with USF's O-line is to compare a BMW and a Hyundai.

This is actually an under-talked about phenomena, IMO ... whether you want to chalk it up to the sheer size of our fan base or an impressive degree of loyalty, it is actually pretty amazing that we still can draw 40,000+ for some of the bigger games.



You really don't think we would outdraw what we drew for Western?

Friday games can be tough. For non-students, you'd basically have to take the day off of work if you want to tailgate. For any Chicagoland fans, they'd need to take the day off just to get to the game on time. And it's not exactly an exciting match-up when you're a 4 TD home underdog.

 

[Illinisteve25]

Psu 49 Illini 24... Decent first half then we wear down

 

[Genesis]

Until we prove we can finish drives, we won't end up with scores in the 20's.
52 - 13

 

[ChiefIllini]

PSU will put a 50 burger up against us. We might get a FG or two in the first half, but there will be at least a 40 pt lead at some point. Might sneak a TD in with their 2nd/3rd stringers out there, but even getting to double digits is going to be a 4 quarter quest.

 

[ChiCityIllini]

Penn State can name the score. McSorley is going to rip some big chunks of yards with his feet and then go deep on us early on often. I imagine they will try to get up big early so they can rest the starters for the big OSU game next week.

Penn St will try to end this one early and then take foot off gas. We will score a few garbage time TDs to make it look better than it was. PSU 38-17

 

[Fighter of the Nightman]

I respectfully, but vehemently, disagree. To compare PSU's O-line with USF's O-line is to compare a BMW and a Hyundai.



Friday games can be tough. For non-students, you'd basically have to take the day off of work if you want to tailgate. For any Chicagoland fans, they'd need to take the day off just to get to the game on time. And it's not exactly an exciting match-up when you're a 4 TD home underdog.

Yeah, I knew Friday would lower attendance, but I was hoping we'd at least get a decent showing. I have decided I like the Friday night once per season IF it's a road game, for the totally selfish reason of having an "event" on Friday ... however, Friday night home games really do just suck.

 

[FeelYourPaign]

Penn State can name the score. McSorley is going to rip some big chunks of yards with his feet and then go deep on us early on often. I imagine they will try to get up big early so they can rest the starters for the big OSU game next week.

Penn St will try to end this one early and then take foot off gas. We will score a few garbage time TDs to make it look better than it was. PSU 38-17

This sounds horrifically realitistic

 

[Deleted member 2050]

They've seen some progress, but no one should be so naive to think Illinois even stands a chance on Friday. They're going to run all over us, they're going to notch so many passing yards, it will make your head spin. I doubt we see more than 15ish points on the scoreboard.

 

[tpbradley]

I respectfully, but vehemently, disagree. To compare PSU's O-line with USF's O-line is to compare a BMW and a Hyundai.

So... PSU paid more for theirs?

 

[Deleted member 4333]

Yeah but, 6:30 got us out at 10:00 and I was home to StL by 1:00 am. With 8:00 pm game, done at midnight. Students go back to the dorms to sleep before having to wake Sunday to study. Meanwhile, alums living out of town will be driving bleary-eyed. No, this game will not draw, too easy to watch on TV and doze off at halftime.

Yeah, that was my point.

 

[Deleted member 533939]

So... PSU paid more for theirs?

If the NCAA wasn't a corrupt organization using slave labor to make millions, then yes, PSU would have paid more.

 

[BananaShampoo]

You all underestimate the effect of our kicking game in this one. We will score points simply because we have a guy who can nail them from the opponents 30-35 yard line. Having Williams, Green, Milan back will help, also. I think we can get at least a TD from an Epstein run, maybe one from a TO, and then a few FGs. True that we are almost certainly going to give up a lot of yards and they are going to run all over us. Let's hope this is the game where Roundtree finally breaks out and we can at least put some pressure on the QB.

Ped St - 45
- 23

 

[Genesis]

You all underestimate the effect of our kicking game in this one. We will score points simply because we have a guy who can nail them from the opponents 30-35 yard line. Having Williams, Green, Milan back will help, also. I think we can get at least a TD from an Epstein run, maybe one from a TO, and then a few FGs. True that we are almost certainly going to give up a lot of yards and they are going to run all over us. Let's hope this is the game where Roundtree finally breaks out and we can at least put some pressure on the QB.

Ped St - 45
- 23

I agree. I figured we'd get at least one TD from Epstein, or maybe a pick 6. Then it's just a matter of how many times we get close enough for a field goal so we might score 13 or 16, but 23 is a stretch. Hope we have a lot of players back and you're right. I'd be very happy with a 45-23 outcome against Ped St. (this year).

 

[Selfcon4]

PSU = 54 (only becasue they feel sorry for us and back off)
UI = 13 (late meaningless TD against 3rd/4th string)

 

[Deleted member 4333]

You all underestimate the effect of our kicking game in this one. We will score points simply because we have a guy who can nail them from the opponents 30-35 yard line. Having Williams, Green, Milan back will help, also. I think we can get at least a TD from an Epstein run, maybe one from a TO, and then a few FGs. True that we are almost certainly going to give up a lot of yards and they are going to run all over us. Let's hope this is the game where Roundtree finally breaks out and we can at least put some pressure on the QB.

Ped St - 45
- 23

Is this official?

 

[BananaShampoo]

Is this official?

I thought I saw somewhere that they would be back. Could have swore it was a quote from someone on the team/coaching staff.

 

[NScale]

No one is commenting that Penn State hosts the Ohio State next week Saturday. Playing at Champaign past bed time the week prior when rain is forecast will be like a bad hangover for them. Not only that, due to a University administrative conflict, they won't be able to fly or use buses as a team, thus all the players have to drive to Champaign on their own for the game. No word on parking passes ...

 

[MadSeason]

I respectfully, but vehemently, disagree. To compare PSU's O-line with USF's O-line is to compare a BMW and a Hyundai.

I should have been clearer that I meant their entire offense and their physicality. The receivers, the backs and even the QB were all loads to bring down and that takes a toll.

 

[Deleted member 29907]

Biggest mismatch in this one is McSorley vs. our pass rush. If we let him break contain and have 5+ seconds back there get used to 50-60 yard TD's to wide open guys. I hope we compete in this one and don't quit. I think we lose by 21ish. Looking ahead, we have a bye week and then Rutgers. We NEED to win that game with an extra week to prepare and get healthy. It will be a pick'em at worst and we should be favored.

Our 'scheme' seemed to be 'contain' against USF as their QB racked up over 100 yds vs GT. He seemed to be a so-so passer. I wonder #1) if 'contain' was the plan, or we're just not good at penetration (we didn't seem to blitz much either) and #2) if contain would work against McSquirrelly or if he'd pick up apart

 

[Illiini]

due to a University administrative conflict, they won't be able to fly or use buses as a team, thus all the players have to drive to Champaign on their own for the game. No word on parking passes ...

Seriously? Reference?

 

[BWBW]

I think our coaches did a good job staying vanilla the first two games and then went all out trying to win the third. So, our overmanned team will go all out trying to win this game. As others have noted, Penn State talent is overwhelming, so our chances of winning are slim. However, trying to win will pay off after the break when we face Rutgers and Purdue, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, and even Iowa and Northwestern. At the moment, those appear to be winnable games and we may as well prep to win them. Only Wisconsin appears to outclass us in the same way as Penn State. Still, we try to win that game too.

My opinion may appear to be very Pollyannaish, but my perspective comes from darn near having a heart attack (yes, I am exaggerating) during the Kent State game and being very concerned after the Western Illinois game. I actually feel better about the team after the game we lost and believe the coaching and the talent can get us a bunch of big ten wins. We may also lose some very close games. So, I don't know if we may be bowl bound, but I think the staff and the team will do their best to get to a bowl game. This should be an exciting year as we see it play out.

 

[GoIllini23]

I just hope we finish this game healthy for the rest of the Big Ten season!

 

[SampsonRelpenk]

Up to PSU -28.5 on Bovada. You can kinda sorta squint and see us keeping it under four TDs. O/U is 60, that seems more ripe for action IMO.

 

[Chukwuwumba]

Friday games can be tough. For non-students, you'd basically have to take the day off of work if you want to tailgate. For any Chicagoland fans, they'd need to take the day off just to get to the game on time. And it's not exactly an exciting match-up when you're a 4 TD home underdog.

But if there is one game to go to this year, the penn st game is the choice. At night, high ranked team.
Students will pregame, hopefully go to game, get rowdy, hopefully stay close and stay rowdy, then enough time to go to bars after game.