Could this next stretch of 4 games be must wins for this program & BU? I don’t think it is that critical, but at a minimum they could be as vital as any stretch of games in a long while, and will tell a very true picture of where this team is at.
Per ESPN, Illinois is favored to win each game, except Mizzery, based on their matchup predictor. I don’t believe Illinois will be favored to win 3 of 4 games at any remaining point this year. Just looking at games that potentially indicate these teams are not gimmes.
Their combined record is 23-11:
UNLV lost by 4 to Cincinnati
ETSU lost to Creighton by 6, beat GA Southern, who beat FAU.
FAU beat UCF
Mizzery beat UCF in OT
Undoubtedly none of these teams have the records we do with our schedule, BUT, this is where a tough schedule SHOULD provide Illinois with a significant advantage, hence my support of playing a tough schedule.
It’s easy to say nobody should expect us to win the games we played outside of the 2 cupcakes, after the fact. Without going back, but most predictors here didn’t have this team at 2-7, so I find it somewhat troubling to change expectations after the fact, most expected more despite the schedule.
These next 4 games in most years (except rivalry/Mizzery) are no way we lose, but are now just winnable, this is a sign of how low expectations, perhaps rightfully so, are becoming.
My expectations are 3-1. 4-0 and I’m thrilled and able to see more positively where this team is in the pack of 300+ D1 teams. Conversely, 2-2 or worse is a HUGE problem for BU and a really bad look and feel for this program