Eastern Michigan 34, Illinois 31 POSTGAME

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#276      

Deleted member 654622

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Can’t see any reason he’d take the job. We’re probably gonna have to aim a lot lower.
I actually was gonna add that he prob wouldnt want the job. BUT, the roster has talent, its same geographical area, and a step up from current position. Still would have to pay him to leave a good gig
 
#277      

Deleted member 569417

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Can’t see any reason he’d take the job. We’re probably gonna have to aim a lot lower.
I bet you didn’t think in January 2016 this not ideal program could have aimed as high as an NFL coach that took a team to a Super Bowl.
 
#278      

Illiniaaron

Geneseo, IL
I didn't think I could be more depressed than I was after the game yesterday. Then I read the last several pages in this thread.:doh:
 
#279      
Wanna guess how many stars the EMU team had? A competent coach can make a good team out of 3 stars.
The goal of this hire was to win a Big 10 Championship and even get to the bowl playoffs. Why would you pay someone that much money to go to the Motorcity Bowl? (Not sure this is an actual bowl game but you get my meaning) You can't win the Big 10 Championship with 3 Star players. We only made Eastern Michigan look good because the coaching is terrible. You put Eastern Michigan up against tOSU they would lose by 70 points.
 
#280      
I bet you didn’t think in January 2016 this not ideal program could have aimed as high as an NFL coach that took a team to a Super Bowl.

That’s based on the assumption that I viewed him as such. I did not. I viewed him as a then unemployed coach that didn’t want to return to coordinating defense’s and was willing to accept any decent offer rendered to him in order to remain in that position. When/if this sounds like Luke Fickell or Mike Leach, you let me know.
 
#281      
I actually was gonna add that he prob wouldnt want the job. BUT, the roster has talent, its same geographical area, and a step up from current position. Still would have to pay him to leave a good gig

On paper it checks boxes but Fickell is as hot as they come. If he did look to exit stage left in Cincy, why would he pick our Power 5 offer?
 
#283      
Jeff monken from army is a ideal option. Great coach. His team just give Michigan a run for they money and he from Illinois and a couple of his players are from Illinois. So it can be solid connections and he is also from Illinois. The only problem is the triple option offense.
 
#285      
Question from a basketball guy. Why is it that we seemed to consistently run the ball to the short side of the field? I don't understand why you would run toward the area where there is less space as opposed to where there is more space. We seemed to do that over and over yesterday. Obviously they don't want to be too predictable and always go to the open side, but help me out please
 
#286      
Question from a basketball guy. Why is it that we seemed to consistently run the ball to the short side of the field? I don't understand why you would run toward the area where there is less space as opposed to where there is more space. We seemed to do that over and over yesterday. Obviously they don't want to be too predictable and always go to the open side, but help me out please

Good question. Lots of different reasons (OL play chief among them) and I’d probably have to see the actual play calls to decide what I think we’re trying to do with each look but generally speaking, while the boundary is not your friend, less space also means less defenders. It’s not the worst idea to run Corbin and Brown (Dre got two consecutive carries to the short left yesterday, 4th quarter. Two first downs) to a spot where they have to beat a couple less guys to get themselves up field.
 
#287      
Sports are meant to be a positive diversion for me, and the Illini haven't been that in far too long. Nobody on this board can be called a fair weather fan. But I have enough crap in my life to invest time in more pain and agony. I'll be back when they have good news.

Dear Josh: Fix football, or cut it!
I entered the University as a freshman in 1964, the last season of Butkus and Co. and graduated from the law school in 1972. During the football season in those years, football Saturdays were what everyone that I knew looked forward to during the entire week. That season turned out to be something of a disappointment, but I was hooked.
In the years that have followed, I have watched Illinois football avidly, through the good years and, unfortunately, those many that have not been so good, indeed, some some that have been abysmal.
I can only claim playing high school football many years ago and I have no grasp of current football theory or tactics. But I know one thing, viewing life from my current vantage point. Successful college coaches somehow understand that, while they may be coaching very large, strong athletes, those athletes are still only 18, 19 or 20, etc. years old young people who are, most often, still immature young people. The best coaches in the game, now or before now, know how to motivate those young people, whether by praise or by discipline or otherwise.
My long-suffering wife (a serious college football fan, but not an Illinois graduate) has learned to live with the realization that, for me, college football weekends are usually affected to some degree by Illinois's football fortunes on Saturday. Immature of me, no doubt, but still the case. I don't think I let an Illinois loss spoil the weekends altogether but you might have to ask her.
I have found a solution for now. I will never watch Illinois lose again; I record the games, note the score after the game and, if we are not successful, delete the recording. Easier on me and definitely easier on my family. I haven't given up, but I don't need the Saturday disappointments.
Many of the posts talk about the unfortunately small home game crowds. As observed by others, there are many reasons for this, I suppose, but I suspect that it has much to do with modern student body culture. Not to sound curmudgeonly, but I have the sad feeling that, with a poor football team, the modern Illinois student body just doesn't identify with these traditions much anymore. That can change.
Go Illini.
 
#289      
On the bright side, we have updated facilities!
I personally think Rod Smith is to blame for this one. He did too much to involve Brandon Peters and make him the hero. Corbin got over 100 yards and was barely utilized. We have transfers from USC at WR and I don't think they were targeted until the last scoring drive. But can't forget about the actual kids and the play on the field. Can't win a game against anybody with all of those penalties and turnovers.
I stand corrected.... I used to think that the #1 priority was recruiting, anybody can find a good coach. And what living room in the midwest with a touted prospect would not welcome Lovie into their home? But as I watch the players walk on and off the field with no sense of discipline or urgency. I see sloppy play calls and poor coaching. I see the AD not show up and support his coaches at QB Fan outings like the golf outings for the last two years I am quickly pulled back into the despair known as Illinois Football. I recall the days when a Coach would be adamant loud and direct. When the team would be running everyday until they puked and displine was taught not blown over. I feel for these boys who will suffer for lack of direction and coaching.
 
#290      
I don't think recruits are coming with Lovie on the hot seat. If Lovie doesn't turn things around really fast, he should be let go. If he's fired and we don't get a great hire, then we're going to see recruits decommit and guys leave the program. JW has a tough situation on his hands.
Need Lovie to announce his retirement in order to spend more time with his family and then hope that Whitman can up his hiring game.
 
#291      

dgcrow

Kelso, WA
That's not the problem, it's part of the core benefit.

Everybody who plays like that wins. It's very difficult to defend, and creates long, clock-eating drives that keep your defense fresh and opposing offenses under pressure.

And the triple option takes discipline -- something the current Illini sorely lack.
 
#292      
I live in Springfield, which is big Illini country. Much to my chagrin UofI athletics is becoming less relevant each passing year. Even basketball which at one time was always a hot topic of conversation around the ole'bar stool. I'm as on fire as ever, but it can be hard to strike up a conversation about the Illini, because most don't want to talk except for a brief moment. The losing has taken its toll and they don't want to invest anything physically (going to games) or emotionally(caring).
I'm with LJ i'd give Lovie one more year even if they stink it up the rest of this year. Not because i'm a big fan of his nor do i dislike him. I think they'll have enough on defense to be average and good on offense. Maybe, that would be a mistake, but i got a feeling Whitman is going to wait and see.
 
#293      

Hoppy2105

Little Rock, Arkansas
That's not the problem, it's part of the core benefit.

Everybody who plays like that wins. It's very difficult to defend, and creates long, clock-eating drives that keep your defense fresh and opposing offenses under pressure.

I agree with all of this.

But the downside is that if your option QB doesn’t have a good arm and you can’t recruit high level WRs (since there isn’t much passing to feature them) you put yourself in a tough spot if you go down a couple scores later in the game.

I’ve seen it so many times at the service academies. Everyone holds their breath when Air Force has to throw the ball...
 
#294      
Just watched the offensive and defensive break down videos. If I were Whitman I would have asked the State Police to escort Lovie to his office to clean out his desk. How can a guy you pay this much money to do such a bad job of coaching? Those players weren't prepared. What an embarrassment.
 
#296      

Deleted member 29907

D
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And the triple option takes discipline -- something the current Illini sorely lack.
And IMO very boring to watch - win/lose, I hope if we do need change - we look for something with a bit more excitement. And before anyone says it, yes, winning is exciting given our status, but how many top 15 teams are running it?

The money spent on the FPC was clearly meant to attract high level talent - and I don't think you're getting that with a triple option offense.
 
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#297      
That's not the problem, it's part of the core benefit.

Everybody who plays like that wins. It's very difficult to defend, and creates long, clock-eating drives that keep your defense fresh and opposing offenses under pressure.
A few win. Quite a few lose. And, if coaches would get away from the accepted way (completely wrong IMO) of defending it, it is not that difficult to defend.
 
#298      
I entered the University as a freshman in 1964, the last season of Butkus and Co. and graduated from the law school in 1972. During the football season in those years, football Saturdays were what everyone that I knew looked forward to during the entire week. That season turned out to be something of a disappointment, but I was hooked.
In the years that have followed, I have watched Illinois football avidly, through the good years and, unfortunately, those many that have not been so good, indeed, some some that have been abysmal.
I can only claim playing high school football many years ago and I have no grasp of current football theory or tactics. But I know one thing, viewing life from my current vantage point. Successful college coaches somehow understand that, while they may be coaching very large, strong athletes, those athletes are still only 18, 19 or 20, etc. years old young people who are, most often, still immature young people. The best coaches in the game, now or before now, know how to motivate those young people, whether by praise or by discipline or otherwise.
My long-suffering wife (a serious college football fan, but not an Illinois graduate) has learned to live with the realization that, for me, college football weekends are usually affected to some degree by Illinois's football fortunes on Saturday. Immature of me, no doubt, but still the case. I don't think I let an Illinois loss spoil the weekends altogether but you might have to ask her.
I have found a solution for now. I will never watch Illinois lose again; I record the games, note the score after the game and, if we are not successful, delete the recording. Easier on me and definitely easier on my family. I haven't given up, but I don't need the Saturday disappointments.
Many of the posts talk about the unfortunately small home game crowds. As observed by others, there are many reasons for this, I suppose, but I suspect that it has much to do with modern student body culture. Not to sound curmudgeonly, but I have the sad feeling that, with a poor football team, the modern Illinois student body just doesn't identify with these traditions much anymore. That can change.
Go Illini.
Hello Classmate - feel your pain for sure!
 
#299      

Deleted member 654622

D
Guest
On paper it checks boxes but Fickell is as hot as they come. If he did look to exit stage left in Cincy, why would he pick our Power 5 offer?
Kind of posted those already
1. Same geographical area
2. The roster has talent
3. Great facility now
But with all that, you would still have to pay the man. Money. That is why
 
#300      
I suggested 2 or 3 years back that J Leman should be coach, and I was roasted on here. Is there anyone out there that thinks an actual alum would have 1. created a better atmosphere, 2. would have understood that we needed to recruit better, and 3. would have simply cared more? Is there anything wrong with having an alum coach the team? We can't just keep hiring people that can't do all 3 of these things. It doesn't have to be J Leman, but we need someone with passion. Someone that would have gotten in the face of the kid that caused that 15 yard late hit out of bounds yesterday. Someone that can teach individual players. Someone that jumps up and down on the sideline. I want to see some chest bumps and fist bumps with the coach. We are only going though the motions, and aren't going to improve until we find someone that has fire in his belly, maybe has a crazy side, and knows how to recruit and call a game. I've seen speed and passion win over talent many times in many sports. Unfortunately on Saturday EMU's passion beat our talent. We are a better team than they are. Tired of this garbage.
Mike Bellamy. Not sure about the ra-ra, but he is an alum. Ra-ra is for the young guys....Clark, Hudson, Smith, Patterson.
 
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