I wouldn’t read too much into that. He seemed to be creating a false narrative based on rivers and Taylor leaving. Ultimately, we don’t know who will start. I would be surprised if it wasn’t Peters, with some plays set for Williams.
Illini Football 2019
- Status
TwoElevenEastDaniel
- Cochrane's-Orchid-Tonic
The best quote from the story:
The corners are potentially a big plus with junior Nate Hobbs and sophomore Quan Hobbs growing into jobs, and with star recruits Marquez Beason
(He needs to take Journ 150.)
Ultimately, I’m bullish, but for the same reason the author made the case for the juniors coming in is something to be excited about, is the reason I’m nervous. We lost hojo, boyd, Williams, Dorsey, and Roundtree from that first class (plus others I can’t think of), which, I believe would have us at or over 6 wins. Ultimately, Lovie is the one to blame, but those 6 players would have me more at ease with this season approaching.
Deleted member 654622
D
Guest
I like the majority of the read. But the top 5 defensive players..... I don't agree
It looks like Illinois is going off as 15.5- 16 point favorites over Akron. Thoughts??
Thank goodness we are favored.
I've got 'em winning that one by 15.25. /s
Our starting quarterbacks have never taken a snap for us, and I have not seen confirmation that both are even on campus.
Therefore, confidence level at this point is not very high.
All depends on whether our offensive line can sustain a block. No block, no run, no pass. Then punt.
Deleted member 649710
D
Guest
So true. Whether Allegretti can be capably replaced is a bigger question than who is under center.
illini80
- Forgottonia
I’ve been wondering about Peters as well. Can anyone verify that he is here and working out?
Jemery said he here
I believe he is here but, according to the strength coach, not working out with the team.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Hoochie mama, Vegas is not feeling us. Akron is terrible.
Iowa State only beat them by 13 last year at home. Northwestern only beat them by 5 at home.
It probably means we are better than last year and they are worse than last year.
Neale Stoner Fan Club
Tailgreat
- Chiraq
Akron won at Northwestern last year. Got a pick 6, kid went 97 yards
Someone will surely draw a distinction between pessimism and realism. In their minds, each and every writer is being realistic. The team will need to show them they are wrong.
Deleted member 654622
D
Guest
If you see what outsiders see, why would anyone think improvement is coming? We lost our starting QB, we lost our best player (bobby), otherwise roster stays the same. Until transfers across the country start making some big impacts regularly, I don't think they are considered much in the grand scheme of things. I don't believe that, just trying to look at it from their perspective
Wait, Lovie is to blame for Roundtree and the ones that were given multiple chances to get it together?
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Not surprising. Doesn't mean much. The only way to recalibrate expectations is by winning some games.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
New coach though, and they rank 101st in the country in returning production. (We're 16th FWIW, that's where all of my optimism comes from)
Their Vegas over/under for wins is 3.5, which is second to last in the MAC.
Vegas hates Akron, which means that if we're only a two touchdown favorite at home, Vegas hates us too, but we already knew that given our frankly insane opening over/under of 3.
As this board's finest purveyor of stupidity, I think Vegas is overly pessimistic on the Illini. I like us to cover that spread against Akron and win 6 games this year.
reopseed60
- Naples, Florida
What do outsiders to the program really know? They write articles based heavily on last years performance and players with very little research on new changed talent. We are heavy on running backs, that almost led the conference, with a quarterback this year who has won games in the big 10 and has been well trained to run a game plan. Granted we are unproven at receivers but they are from a major program and have seen success and know what it takes to win. They must have seen something at Illinois to have switched. Yes I bleed orange and blue but I believe more in the Smith brothers than a bunch of writers who usually just write repetition with no real research.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Cough drop guy?
- Status