Illini Football 2016
ChiCityHoops34
- DeKalb IL
Lovie had his players loyalty at a level that I've never seen. They all loved that guy.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Buddy Ryan's D. But, yeah, Smith's players uniformly love him and that's pretty unusual for pro sports.
Deleted member 533939
D
Guest
Urlacher's son is also only 11.
Sign him up!
So Lovie will still be here when his son hits recruiting age. Score. Hopefully he turns out to be a great talent. Maybe just take a chance on him anyway. It's in his genes.
That's 7 years until he hits college. There's a chance Lovie is still here...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Dan
Admin
Preseason B1G writers predictions
WEST
1. Iowa 265 (33)
2. Nebraska 206 (3)
3. Wisconsin 194.5 (2)
4. Northwestern 171.5 (1)
5. Minnesota 132 (1)
6. Illinois 76.5
7. Purdue 46.5
EAST
1. Ohio State 260.5 (31)
2. Michigan 241 (14)
3. Michigan State 195.5 (1)
4. Penn State 155.5
5. Indiana 110
6. Maryland 81.5
7. Rutgers 52
http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index....picked_to_win_big_t_1.html#incart_river_index
WEST
1. Iowa 265 (33)
2. Nebraska 206 (3)
3. Wisconsin 194.5 (2)
4. Northwestern 171.5 (1)
5. Minnesota 132 (1)
6. Illinois 76.5
7. Purdue 46.5
EAST
1. Ohio State 260.5 (31)
2. Michigan 241 (14)
3. Michigan State 195.5 (1)
4. Penn State 155.5
5. Indiana 110
6. Maryland 81.5
7. Rutgers 52
http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index....picked_to_win_big_t_1.html#incart_river_index
homesickalien
- Springfield
The West is weak. Great news for us in the coming years as its wide open for the taking.
Last season Iowa had the easiest crossover schedule (Maryland, @ Indiana) and that definitely helped them in their run to the title.
Looking at crossover schedules for the teams in the West:
Illinois - @ Rutgers, @ Michigan, Michigan St
Iowa - @ Rutgers, @ Penn St, Michigan
Minnesota - @ Penn St, @ Maryland, Rutgers
Nebraska - @ Indiana, @ Ohio St, Maryland
Northwestern - @ Michigan St, Indiana, @ Ohio St
Purdue - @ Maryland, Penn St., @ Indiana
Wisconsin - @ Michigan St, @ Michigan, Ohio St
Every BIG West team has two road games. I assume next season will reverse. I like that they are doing that for competitive balance. Let's hope my assumption is correct. If you know, please chime in.
Purdue has the easiest schedule, but 100% of non Purdue fans will be shocked if they make a run this season.
Outside of Purdue I think the other 6 teams have the potential to win the West. Nebraska and Minnesota have the easiest crossover games only playing one of the top teams, so I will predict one of those two winning the West. I'll go with Nebraska.
Wisconsin opens BIG play @MSU, @UM, Ohio St @ Iowa. They might be out of it before October ends.
My uneducated prediction
Nebraska 6-3
Iowa 5-4
Illinois 5-4
Wisconsin 5-4
Northwestern 4-5
Minnesota 4-5
Purdue 2-7
Looking at crossover schedules for the teams in the West:
Illinois - @ Rutgers, @ Michigan, Michigan St
Iowa - @ Rutgers, @ Penn St, Michigan
Minnesota - @ Penn St, @ Maryland, Rutgers
Nebraska - @ Indiana, @ Ohio St, Maryland
Northwestern - @ Michigan St, Indiana, @ Ohio St
Purdue - @ Maryland, Penn St., @ Indiana
Wisconsin - @ Michigan St, @ Michigan, Ohio St
Every BIG West team has two road games. I assume next season will reverse. I like that they are doing that for competitive balance. Let's hope my assumption is correct. If you know, please chime in.
Purdue has the easiest schedule, but 100% of non Purdue fans will be shocked if they make a run this season.
Outside of Purdue I think the other 6 teams have the potential to win the West. Nebraska and Minnesota have the easiest crossover games only playing one of the top teams, so I will predict one of those two winning the West. I'll go with Nebraska.
Wisconsin opens BIG play @MSU, @UM, Ohio St @ Iowa. They might be out of it before October ends.
My uneducated prediction
Nebraska 6-3
Iowa 5-4
Illinois 5-4
Wisconsin 5-4
Northwestern 4-5
Minnesota 4-5
Purdue 2-7
BananaShampoo
Captain 'Paign
- Phoenix, AZ
I think we surprise and end up 4th or tied for 3rd. Too many good seniors and too much good coaching to not do better than 6th.
I'm not terribly concerned about our W-L record or place in the standings this year. I am concerned about blowout losses, that is, I'd like to see an end to them. To me that's the first test for this new staff. Those blowouts under the previous regime was the biggest indicator of their ineptitude. And it constantly reinforced the perception of us as a third-rate clown-show and conference punching bag in the minds of fans, the media, and worst of all, recruits. We have time to work on raising the ceiling, but first we need to bring up that floor.
That's my thought. I wouldn't be surprised if we finish better than that even. Our coaching staff has to be at least worth two more wins than the previous. And like you said a lot of good seniors and hopefully not 60 dropped passes.
Totally agree with this. In addition, the elimination of all those long gainers.
I saw that student season tickets are only $60. IIRC they were $90 or more the past few years. I really figured the Athletic Department would go for a money grab by increasing ticket prices, hoping people/students showed up because of Lovie. But I'm pleasantly surprised. Grange Grove and now this, maybe the Atheltic Department is starting to get it.
BananaShampoo
Captain 'Paign
- Phoenix, AZ
Yep. So refreshing.
In 1975 a high school student could buy an endzone ticket for $1.50.
I still had my highschool ID and was able to get these tickets, work my way around to better seats, and enjoyed many games for this small price that year.
I guess I'm revealing my age here.
GO Illini!
Wow, that pricing would have helped out when I was a student. But, I bet you had to walk uphill, both ways, through the snow, to get to the game.
Wow, that pricing would have helped out when I was a student. But, I bet you had to walk uphill, both ways, through the snow, to get to the game.
Cheetos nails it as always, great insight.
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
That sounds like an excellent first goal to me. :thumb: