Big Ten Football to Start October 23-24 (CFB Thread)

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#26      

the national

the Front Range
Appalachian State winning at Michigan gets the nod for #1 in my book.

I'd suggest googling the Top 100 NCAA football upsets of all time for a complete list --- all of which are games much, much, much more stunning than an Illini victory would be this year. Keep in mind we have an experienced roster, and we're roughly Top 10 in terms of returning production. We're not the floormat of the Big 10 in 2020.
You know what’s funny, some preseason polls and talk had us at dead last in the West. We may not agree, but others still think we are the doormat. Our OL is going to be stunningly good. Brandon Peters should have a fortress of protection with a solid set of weapons to throw to. Hopefully the Offense has good chemistry and really let’s loose. We’ll shock some people.

I think the Iowa and especially the NW Losses to finish last season really took some of the polish off. I know we had some injuries but that’s all people remember.
 
#29      
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#30      
So far Weeks 2, 3, 4 very winnable. Wisconsin going to be gunning for us in Week 1, but our boys have shown they can beat them.
 
#31      

Dan

Admin
Illinois Football Schedule

10/24 @ Wisconsin
10/31 Purdue
11/07 Minnesota
11/14 @ Rutgers
11/21 @ Nebraska
11/28 Ohio State
12/05 Iowa
12/12 @ Northwestern
12/19 Championship/Crossover Week
 
#32      

redwingillini11

North Aurora
We have to win a minimum of 2 games. 3 is a successful year. 4 wins is within the realm of possibility and would be outstanding.
 
#33      

hooraybeer

Pittsburgh, PA
will there be any number of fans allowed inside? imagine tickets will be pretty hard to come by if so
 
#35      
Every game is a toss up except Ohio State. I was not expecting such a favorable schedule. It will be tough though, no bye week and possible roster hits due to covid. But all things considered... wow. 4 wins should feel good. 5 wins should be the goal though.

Feel bad for Rutgers... Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan on their schedule :oops:
 
#36      
We have to win a minimum of 2 games. 3 is a successful year. 4 wins is within the realm of possibility and would be outstanding.

Disagree. 2 and 6 would be the end of the Lovie era in my opinion. 3 isn't enough either. This is supposed to be the top of the hill. Lovie has his roster. He needs to win with it.
 
#37      
Every game is a toss up except Ohio State. I was not expecting such a favorable schedule. It will be tough though, no bye week and possible roster hits due to covid. But all things considered... wow. 4 wins should feel good. 5 wins should be the goal though.

Feel bad for Rutgers... Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan on their schedule :oops:

Same as every year?
 
#39      

altgeld88

Arlington, Virginia
Relieved that there's no @ WIS or @ MN in late November or December. @ NW mid-Dec: meh.
 
#40      

redwingillini11

North Aurora
Disagree. 2 and 6 would be the end of the Lovie era in my opinion. 3 isn't enough either. This is supposed to be the top of the hill. Lovie has his roster. He needs to win with it.

It’s a season during a pandemic with no gimme non-conference games. Expectations must be adjusted. Whether it feels good or not, Lovie won’t be fired if he wins at least 2 games. This should have been the peak 7-8 win season, but the possibility of that went out the door like our basketball tournament berth last year.
 
#41      

altenberger22

South Carolina
We have to win a minimum of 2 games. 3 is a successful year. 4 wins is within the realm of possibility and would be outstanding.
I have a different perspective.....

7-2 Outstanding, and we just might be playing in the Big Ten Championship game
6-3 Far exceeds expectations
5-4 Lovie has succeeded; let's see how many of these guys now choose to return in 2021 (where we can go 3-0 nonconference)
4-5 Solid year, but with zero upset victories; we just might sneak into a Bowl Game;
3-6 Disappointing
2-7 Time for a new coach -- Josh, you're on the clock. (Hopefully, Ayo and Kofi are 7-0 and ranked in the AP Top 3 by this point)
 
#43      
While it would be ideal to see the Illini in the B1G Championship Game, for the sake of argument, let's say they don't get in. Has it been confirmed who the home/road team will be in the 2nd place vs. 2nd place crossover games?
 
#44      
It’s a season during a pandemic with no gimme non-conference games. Expectations must be adjusted. Whether it feels good or not, Lovie won’t be fired if he wins at least 2 games. This should have been the peak 7-8 win season, but the possibility of that went out the door like our basketball tournament berth last year.

If you expected to win 7 to 8 in a normal season that means there would have to be 4 to 5 wins in the conference for the season. So again, 2 and 6 is not good enough. Lacking gimme non-con games isn't a good enough excuse in my mind. Even in a pandemic year. Unless substantial players sit out due to injury or outbreaks, a 4-4 record should be expected. No excuses with the roster we have now.
 
#46      
It’s a season during a pandemic with no gimme non-conference games. Expectations must be adjusted. Whether it feels good or not, Lovie won’t be fired if he wins at least 2 games. This should have been the peak 7-8 win season, but the possibility of that went out the door like our basketball tournament berth last year.
A 7-8 win normal season with non-conference is the same as a 4-5 wins this year. I think 3 wins is unacceptable. 3 wins would likely be beating Rutgers twice (regular scheduled game and post-season) + 1 other win.

I'm hoping we can have some consistent sustained offense through the season. I have no idea what to expect from the defense.
 
#49      

redwingillini11

North Aurora
In my calculations, I wasn't counting the crossover game, just the 8 currently on the schedule. If you add in a final game against Rutgers or Maryland, then what I was saying is pretty close to this:

I have a different perspective.....

7-2 Outstanding, and we just might be playing in the Big Ten Championship game
6-3 Far exceeds expectations
5-4 Lovie has succeeded; let's see how many of these guys now choose to return in 2021 (where we can go 3-0 nonconference)
4-5 Solid year, but with zero upset victories; we just might sneak into a Bowl Game;
3-6 Disappointing
2-7 Time for a new coach -- Josh, you're on the clock. (Hopefully, Ayo and Kofi are 7-0 and ranked in the AP Top 3 by this point)

I'm just telling you guys, don't expect Lovie to be gone if we are just disappointed with the number of wins we end up with. There's going to have to be some ugly program stuff happening for them to decide to fire Lovie after this season.
 
#50      
I believe this year Lovie gets a pass, this was supposed to be our strongest team in a long time. I want to keep Lovie, the structure of the program is much better than it was 5 years ago. We have JR/SRs playing, better training facility, and a better recruiting system. We are getting top transfers who are making a difference, but will acknowledge we need to get better instate and overall with High School recruiting.

Lovie also runs a respected program, it seems like off the field stuff has been reduced during his tenure. I feel like he will get better recruiters in the future, unfortunately football takes a bit to turn around.
 
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