A win against scUM at home would have been "shocking" prior to yesterday. I would like to go on record saying that beating scUM at home will now only be "surprising".
I would say that about Nebraska, not UM yet. UM is still projected to win the BIG
New-season predictions after week 1:
W- Akron - 42-3
W - UConn - 45-7
W - Eastern Michigan - 28-14
W - Nebraska - 42-41
W - Minnesota - 48-21
L - Michigan - 40-21
L - Wisconsin - 35-24
L - Purdue - 35-32
W - Rutgers - 48-17
L - Michigan State - 28-7
L - Iowa - 28-20
W - Northwestern - 21-10
7-5 & bowling. These predictions are based solely on my papa del's pizza filled gut feelings.
I’m a fairly pessimistic person, so take this with a grain of salt, but y’all need to slow your roll...
Yes, we won.
Yes, we looked better than last year.
Yes, our defense appears faster.
But make no mistake about it: we looked like a 5-7 team yesterday that beat up on a bottom tier MAC team. Our DBs are still steps behind receivers, and major gaps were open all day. Any team with a better than MAC quality QB is going to pick us apart.
I think we have real talent, but we’re still the worst team in the Big Ten west. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves...
Definitely some swag with Lovie this year..Here's hoping Lovie gives Teddy something to pay attention to this season. That is the only answer. Wins trump all slight. Watched ESPN's College Football Live show today and the O&B did did not get one mention. Wisky and Nebby, sure.
Look, for as little as I've watched Lovie interviews during this past off season, it appears to me that his demeanor has changed somewhat as if he knows he is ready to deliver this year. I believe he is expecting big things from his team this year. Can't wait to watch them deliver!!
Cheers over tears all day everyday especially on Saturday GO ILLINI!!!I’m a fairly pessimistic person, so take this with a grain of salt, but y’all need to slow your roll...
Yes, we won.
Yes, we looked better than last year.
Yes, our defense appears faster.
But make no mistake about it: we looked like a 5-7 team yesterday that beat up on a bottom tier MAC team. Our DBs are still steps behind receivers, and major gaps were open all day. Any team with a better than MAC quality QB is going to pick us apart.
I think we have real talent, but we’re still the worst team in the Big Ten west. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves...
I SO LOVED THE "AND IM DONE TALKING ABOUT LAST YEAR!!I thought the same thing. Lovie has always kept his cards very close to his vest and used the typical coach speak. This interview on the BTN visit to campus was way untypical of Lovie. Not only did he say that they will be much improved, he acknowledged that the defense has been bad and that the defense must improve for the team to improve. And that is all on Lovie since he's the D Coordinator.
Cooper had 1 till for sure and believe he was in on another..On Werner’s show, he talks like he’s been pleasantly surprised by Barnes. Could be good as a backup already. Says Cooper is doing fine and has obvious athleticism, but needs to up the weight and strength. Probably solid special teams contributor, but potentially a redshirt
"Health is SO BIG for this team" every team but we are still thin as far as BiG depth
But make no mistake about it: we looked like a 5-7 team yesterday that beat up on a bottom tier MAC team. Our DBs are still steps behind receivers, and major gaps were open all day. Any team with a better than MAC quality QB is going to pick us apart.
I think we have real talent, but we’re still the worst team in the Big Ten west. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves
Here's to hoping our DC coaches like his son's job depends on it!I agree that pass defense is the biggest concern, but I'm more optimistic than I was a week ago, after seeing our new DC in action.
I hope from the next game on, Lovie lets the offense go full speed ahead and score 50 points. Hopefully the next 3 games. Yes including overrated, will not win the west Nebraska.
EMU doesn't look as scary as it did earlier. Nebby, Minnesota, and Purdue all look like possible Ws. I know it's only week 1 but the team actually looked prepared and composed in comparison to some of our other BIG West foes.
EMU covered the spread. Their passing game was very efficient (20-for-22), which is aligned with Illinois' weakness. Their defense picked off four passes, which you can attribute to a poor passing attack from Coastal Carolina or an opportunistic EMU secondary. Coastal struggled to run the ball (30 attempts for 74 yards). They are going to be Illinois' toughest test in the non-conference by a significant margin and, based on week 1, I would say they are performing as expected.
I think we are a 7-5 team or an 8-4 team. I also think we have as good a chance to win the West as anyone. I do not think that many West teams have strong enough defenses to stop the our offense and I truly believe our defense is totally different from last year and new and improved. Yes the defense scrambled early because no one knew what to expect from the new coach at Akron. We also took our foot off the gas. I think posters are giving too much credit to Neb, NW, Minn and even Wisc. Illinois is the only team in the west that is greatly improved. I think many posters are focusing too much on last year or the preceding season. This ain't your 2018 or 2017 Illini team. There's a new sheriff in town, and his name is 2019/2020 Lovie Smith. RecognizeI’m a fairly pessimistic person, so take this with a grain of salt, but y’all need to slow your roll...
Yes, we won.
Yes, we looked better than last year.
Yes, our defense appears faster.
But make no mistake about it: we looked like a 5-7 team yesterday that beat up on a bottom tier MAC team. Our DBs are still steps behind receivers, and major gaps were open all day. Any team with a better than MAC quality QB is going to pick us apart.
I think we have real talent, but we’re still the worst team in the Big Ten west. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves...