I’m gonna say Illinois responds for this game and actually win. I’m going on the limb. Rather people want to admit it. We are much improve and it’s more talent on the roster. Just have to execute and have no mental mistakes.
Don, if this team had ever played a B1G game without mental mistakes during Lovie's tenure, I'd be inclined to agree with you!
But there's a lot of things this team hasn't done a single time over four years.
1. Successfully defend a read-option QB
2. Get through a game without significant mental mistakes
3. Keep the defense off the field
4. Make an effective halftime adjustment on either side of the ball
5. Do a remotely effective job of taking away the opponent's strength
I could go on for a while here. I know it's defeatist, but I'm officially done believing they can manage any of the above until this team proves otherwise.