If we keep them to only 45 points that will be a huge moral victory, which is really sad.
Thats very pessimistic of you.
Ill just go ahead and go 2-2 on my predictions this season: Illinois wins it 31-21.
Pessimistic? I would call that realistic given that we have kept only two of our eight (so far) B1G opponents to under 46 points, and those were Rutgers and Minnesota. Northwestern is a better team than either of those, and quite possibly better than Iowa. Oh, and we are depleted and have really nothing to play for except pride. Let's hope pride is a major motivator so we can at least keep it remotely respectable.Thats very pessimistic of you.
Ill just go ahead and go 2-2 on my predictions this season: Illinois wins it 31-21.
Lovie: Our guys realize who we're playing, realize what we're playing for. Land of Lincoln Trophy has been up there too many years. #Illini
Lovie: Northwestern is getting ready to play for the championship the following week. Their team has had an outstanding year. Hopefully for us that puts us in a good position after disappointment you can finish up your season the right way. #Illini
Lovie: When you're building your program and have that many (injuries) — especially on the defensive side — it's tough. #Illini
Lovie: We have, of course, enough guys to still play. Good opportunity for some of the young players that haven't gotten an opportunity. #Illini
Lovie: State of the program is disappointment right now, but we see brighter days ahead. #Illini
Lovie: We had hope for this season to be able to do more. Last week we talked about playoffs and having to win the last two to get in a bowl game. We're not going to accomplish that this year. #Illini
Lovie: When we feel like we have the right person to hire, we'll hire them (two open defensive assistant positions). #Illini
Lovie: Right now it's not a good time for us to talk about where we are (defensively). Big picture, we have some players like Bobby Roundtree, Jake Hansen, Nate Hobbs. The system is proven. We'll keep working on it, get the coaching staff right. #Illini
Lovie: Our wide receiver play hasn't been as good as it will be in the future. That's fair to say. We lost a couple of our guys that would have helped. #Illini
Lovie: Ra'Von Bonner has patiently waited for an opportunity. We have to protect the football, of course, but he ran hard. He'll get another opportunity this week. #Illini
Lovie: Reggie Corbin went out (against Iowa). Unfortunately tweaked his ankle again. We're hopeful he'll be able to go this week. #Illini
https://twitter.com/srrichey
Umm. Northwestern BEAT IOWA. In Kinnick Stadium. Yeah. They're better...but I don't see another 63-0 beat down. Hopefully.Pessimistic? I would call that realistic given that we have kept only two of our eight (so far) B1G opponents to under 46 points, and those were Rutgers and Minnesota. Northwestern is a better team than either of those, and quite possibly better than Iowa. Oh, and we are depleted and have really nothing to play for except pride. Let's hope pride is a major motivator so we can at least keep it remotely respectable.
Pessimistic? I would call that realistic given that we have kept only two of our eight (so far) B1G opponents to under 46 points, and those were Rutgers and Minnesota. Northwestern is a better team than either of those, and quite possibly better than Iowa. Oh, and we are depleted and have really nothing to play for except pride. Let's hope pride is a major motivator so we can at least keep it remotely respectable.
NU struggles to score points; Fitz is slow to react to exotic schemes. He just has been bailed out this season by converting all those 4th down attempts. Mind you, NU lost to AKRON 39-34. If Lovie confuses that offense, we will be sitting pretty.
I guarantee we keep them under 46; im standing by my prediction. I hope I see more optimists on this thread. Illinois is a good team, weve just been on the wrong side of luck this season.
Sounds like anyone hoping a new defensive coordinator will come in and change the defense will have to wait until the next head coach.Lovie: Right now it's not a good time for us to talk about where we are (defensively). Big picture, we have some players like Bobby Roundtree, Jake Hansen, Nate Hobbs. The system is proven. We'll keep working on it, get the coaching staff right.
That quote from Lovie might just be all the ammunition Whitman needs to fire him now (meaning after a 55-14 loss to Northwestern).Sounds like anyone hoping a new defensive coordinator will come in and change the defense will have to wait until the next head coach.
That quote from Lovie might just be all the ammunition Whitman needs to fire him now (meaning after a 55-14 loss to Northwestern).
System is proven??? Lovie....are you nuts? It's proven to give up points in historic numbers.
For some reason, I picture this is what you look like:
If we are out of bowl game contention (I'm not sure whether we are officially or not), we should play Rivers.
Not officially out yet. Need 18 of the teams to lose this week. Vandy beating Tennessee would help.
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We are a Golf school, low score wins!
Happy Thanksgiving to all better days ahead go ILLINI