Weak schedule next season. Marquez and Isaiah play what position coming in?
In my way too early projection, I have the floor at 5 wins and the ceiling at 8. Predicting 6-6 and would not be surprised by 7-5. If the offseason goes how it has to (e.g. good DC and staff hires, no exodus of key transfers, add a couple JUCO/transfer contributors) then I do not see Illinois being blown out in any football games next year. I am genuinely excited for 2019, and even more so for 2020.
Now to wait and be bored in between IlliniBoard articles for the next 9 months.
So what’s the minimum for Lovie to be retained? I think most of you will say bowl or bust. But most of you have also talked about simply being competitive.
What if we go 5-7 but are competitive in every game? Like cover the spread against Michigan and right there with every other opponent. That’s enough to show improvement right?
To me, that’s a big step up over 63-0 and would deserve more fan support going into the next season. Unless our recruiting class is completely bare.
Michigan will be a blowout. I would not be surprised if Wisconsin and Nebraska are blowouts as well.
I think most people expect at least 6 wins next year. I think Whitman will look for an improved product and culture. So if there are extenuating circumstances with injuries, he would probably be willing to let it go with 5 wins. It seemed to me that Lovie got clear as Defensive coordinator that he will need to make some adjustments to his defensive scheme because the talent level isn't there and the players don't have enough time to learn his defense (which was a concern with his scheme in college ball). If this class stays together and we add some decent depth at WR and our playmakers stay relatively healthy, I think this team could be much improved.
If you trust the coach that helped orchestrate your massive 2017 campaign. Plus Marquez Beason and or Jeff Thomas.
Thomas would have to sit out a year.
Would he? The rules of transfer world are getting increasingly haphazard (of course, we'll certainly be the last to ever benefit from this state of affairs, since we're Illinois, but still)
So, who are our WR's next season?
Would he? The rules of transfer world are getting increasingly haphazard (of course, we'll certainly be the last to ever benefit from this state of affairs, since we're Illinois, but still)
A freshman who likely will play DB and a guy who likely won't be eligible in 2019? I think those hoping for Tate to transfer here are wildly optimistic. Hey, I can dream with you, but I just think this is the longest of long shots.If you trust the coach that helped orchestrate your massive 2017 campaign. Plus Marquez Beason and or Jeff Thomas.
Our offense will be a force next year.
A freshman who likely will play DB and a guy who likely won't be eligible in 2019? I think those hoping for Tate to transfer here are wildly optimistic. Hey, I can dream with you, but I just think this is the longest of long shots.
I think most people expect at least 6 wins next year. I think Whitman will look for an improved product and culture. So if there are extenuating circumstances with injuries, he would probably be willing to let it go with 5 wins. It seemed to me that Lovie got clear as Defensive coordinator that he will need to make some adjustments to his defensive scheme because the talent level isn't there and the players don't have enough time to learn his defense (which was a concern with his scheme in college ball). If this class stays together and we add some decent depth at WR and our playmakers stay relatively healthy, I think this team could be much improved.
Khalil Tate is a real possibility. He will test out NFL waters first but me likey our chances.
If we are embracing the experiment of basically starting from scratch, why not let him finish it? His first recruiting class will only be Juniors. If he's shown enough to stay past this year, you have to give him two more years. The upperclassmen will all be his guys and then, and only then, will we see if this experiment worked. This could be ground breaking work in the world of hiring football coaches. Exciting times, fellas.This is the year Lovie finally has an ultimatum. He's gotta win 5 game this year. Another 3/4 win season is treading water at this point.
Rutgers and the three non con games (EMU loses a decent amount of production, and they really are just a slightly above average MAC team this year) are cant misses. Between Purdue and Minny, we have a couple borderline tossups (Minny isn't gaining much steam and even with Brohm Purdue faces a lot of attrition--good class incoming though). Wisconsin, NW, and heck NU/MSU aren't world beaters and we should at least of shots in those games. Maybe we are that crappy loss for Iowa in another sure fire 8/9 win campaign for them. Michigan will Michigan, but really, you can't ask for a softer B1G schedule than ours.
If Lovie can't get to a bowl game, the experiment is over. That being said, I believe he will (seriously, he can basically stumble into this one).
Honestly, I dont have an answer. They did pretty much exactly what I thought they would this year. Next I expect 5 wins, but 6 is beyond attainable. Do I fire Lovie after a 5 win season? I think thats pretty close to 50/50 and will depend on the talent coming in 2020 and how we got to 5 wins.If we are embracing the experiment of basically starting from scratch, why not let him finish it? His first recruiting class will only be Juniors. If he's shown enough to stay past this year, you have to give him two more years. The upperclassmen will all be his guys and then, and only then, will we see if this experiment worked. This could be ground breaking work in the world of hiring football coaches. Exciting times, fellas.
I don't think it should be that cut and dry. If there was only one loss by 39 points or more, that would be pretty good progress, even if he only won three games. Or if he loses all of the games by 7 points or less, I think you have to let the experiment continue.As for 0-3 wins, I think Whitman has to let him go, again barring any crazy circumstances. Regression in total wins, and clear regression of on field product. Thats hard to cover for a guy who has preached constant improvement as his measuring stick.
I believe Robert on IlliniBoard addressed the possibility, and I agree with him. That kind of speed just doesn't come along every day. If he can catch at all we definitely should try it.I'm surprised more people aren't talking about Kyron Cumby as a slot receiver with huge potential. 4.36 is flying
Tate and Thomas would be two guys with a level of athleticism we haven't had on our field in a looooong time.