Purdue 31, Illinois 24 Postgame

#76      
Lovie is 15-36 now. Would this be tolerated at any other school?

I'd argue yes? At least any other school that was in our position when Lovie was hired. Lovie Smith was a HUGE name that boosted the program's reputation, and he had coached in a frickin' Super Bowl (not to mention, we were all hoping he'd have a little more recruiting sway instate) ... and he went to a program with these results in the past four years:

2015: 5-7 (2-6)
2014: 6-7 (3-5)
2013: 4-8 (1-7)
2012: 2-10 (0-8)

Prior to 2012, the new millennium had brought us a record of 59-85 (26-61) ... that's years and years of sucking, laid on top of our embarrassing handling of keeping Cubit on and Beckman's scandal. It was only reasonable to give Lovie at least that amount of time to turn it around (i.e., 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019).

With that said, tolerance for this kind of football really did hinge on the second half of 2019 being some type of meaningful turnaround. The result at Wisconsin convinced me it wasn't, unfortunately. :(
 
#77      
If the rest of the season goes the way it appears it will go, does anyone see anything other than transfers en masse?
 
#79      
First, the good news: We're tied with Iowa and Minnesota after the first two weeks of the season!

The even better news: Luke Fickell has Cincy at 5-0 and #7 in the nation. Midwestern (Columbus/Ohio State) roots, and excellent recruiter and a Big 10 mentality. Perhaps some of his players would also follow him given the COVID transfer rules in 2021.


Cincinnati Bearcats (American Athletic Conference) (2017–present)OverallConf.
2017Cincinnati4–82–6T–4th (East)
2018Cincinnati11–26–23rd (East)W Military
2019Cincinnati11–37–11st (East)W Birmingham
2020Cincinnati5–03–01st (East)
Cincinnati Totals31–1318-9

Luke Fickell isn't coming to Illinois. He can wait for basically any job he wants.
 
#80      
I had a crazy week with traveling and school work, so I actually had no idea we had players out until I flipped on the game. So, here are my novice fan thoughts after a day of reflection:

- When I tuned in, we looked like crap, and I thought to myself ... probably time to move on after this year, because I'm sick of seeing players who are "pumped up" but at the same time seemingly going through the motions and ignoring basic fundamentals.
- When I realized we had so many players out, I kind of adjusted my expectations. Going into the mini comeback, I actually was feeling a little better - something like, "hey, we might win another game or two!"
- After seeing Taylor try to engineer that comeback, I came away actually pretty optimistic. That kid can play, and I loved watching him compete! (PEORIA, represent!) A mistake or two due to inexperience might have literally been the difference.

I think we have a real shot against Minnesota, honestly. However, we would have to fix some holes, for sure. No! More! Slow! Starts! That MSU comeback last year was enough "coming back" for me for a while, haha.
I give the offense a pass based on the players out. The defense, on the other hand, was 100% healthy and Lovie’s fifth year to get it right. The first touchdown by Purdue showed exactly what Lovie can do. Nothing. Nothing at all. Time to reboot before we lose the improved players that we do have.
 
#81      
The Defense is Lovie's Baby.

Mertz - 20/21 for 248 yds , 5TD
O'Connell - 29/35 for 371 yds, 2TD

Passing D Totals - 49/56 - 87.5% completion, 619 passing yds, and 7 TDS

Wisconsin Rushing - 54 rushes for 182 yds, 1TD
Purdue Rushing - 31 rushes for 85 yds, 1TD

Rushing D Totals - 85 rushes for 267 yds for 3.14 yds per carry , 3TDs

Every QB we play has to be licking their chops at the opportunity to play this defensive secondary!
 
#83      
It’s not ridiculous to expect sound fundamentals from a Big10 caliber football player. You cannot be a mobile dual-threat QB at this level and not properly secure the football. 3 points of contact is something that’s taught day 1. You also can’t force a play if it isn’t there. Throw the ball away instead of forcing it into a tight window or taking a sack. I’m not trying to pick on the kid, but many of the poor plays from Taylor had nothing to do with a lack of preparation.
Okay, I don't disagree, but he is the 4th string QB and probably gets about 1/10th the time and coaching of the 3 guys ahead of him. Let's see what he can do after we spend a couple of weeks with him as the starter before we barbecue him.
 
#84      
Okay, I don't disagree, but he is the 4th string QB and probably gets about 1/10th the time and coaching of the 3 guys ahead of him. Let's see what he can do after we spend a couple of weeks with him as the starter before we barbecue him.
I agree that your statement is true... for passing and for timing. But... "running" is instinct. He doesn't need reps, to "run", and what I saw was 'repeated hesitation'. Watch any running Qb (in thief first or 20th game), when it's time to run, it's time. You "go". He wasn't getting caught in holes.. he was simply not attacking them. He was start/stop... go/hesitate... tackled. And the later the game went, the more regressive it appeared.

I'm happy the board is optimistic, and I wish the kid success.

But if honesty is what is looked for, based on my eyes (and those of seasoned fans that are close friends and work in the industry, (but I am NOT an Insider)... CT does not have enough tools/talent to succeed.

I hope upon hope to be incorrect.
 
#85      
I'm not trying to be a jerk to Coran. I'm sure he's a very nice kid and for a first time (in game action) player, he put up some plays.
That said... again... He performed well each (and only each) time the game was out of reach, Bc the defense went soft. Experienced eyes see that.

I'm just going with eye tests...

Wisconsin's (highly rated) first time starting, redshirt QB (exactly like Coran) had all of the instincts (and that led to the performance.)
Im not expecting them to be comparable... but that's my point. They aren't. One will be a great P5 Qb.

Clean showed a strong arm (a very very low line drive mechanism, which is not good)... but as a mobile Qb, if that's what you are, those abilities, far more than throwing, are natural. Running QBs come in, running.
And that was very unnatural today. Very. Hesitant. Passive.

so... yes, for who is and what he is, he played great. I won't argue that at all. But I'm also a realist, and if you have a football eye, you can see that CT doesn't have the natural instincts/abilities that translate to high level P5 Qb play.
I'd bet the farm on it.

I would be very happy to be wrong. I just don't believe I am. And I'm not trying to be a jerk to probably one hell of a good kid.
Well the ol' eye test is very subjective. Rod loves a running QB, maybe this is his guy. I saw a lot of potential, and am not going to say he is not P5 material after that performance when he just got tapped on the shoulder and told to go in. Did you notice how he tried to pump the team up? Kid is a leader. Peters, not so much.
 
#86      
It’s not ridiculous to expect sound fundamentals from a Big10 caliber football player. You cannot be a mobile dual-threat QB at this level and not properly secure the football. 3 points of contact is something that’s taught day 1. You also can’t force a play if it isn’t there. Throw the ball away instead of forcing it into a tight window or taking a sack. I’m not trying to pick on the kid, but many of the poor plays from Taylor had nothing to do with a lack of preparation.
So what was he supposed to do? Just throw for the 270 and run 50 and lead the team to a win? Is that your expectation? It wasn't about prep, though he likely got little if any for this game, it was about being in the action for real for the first time.
 
#87      
For those of you criticizing Taylor regarding securing the ball. A qb canNOT secure the ball when running the option with a trailing back until he has turned upfield. A good qb is expected to carry on as if he has the ball or act in a manner that he still may pitch it if he has it. One also, will not exhibit running instincts while making reads. Until the read is made, one can basically just run down the line and carry out the design of the play. After the ball is pulled or passed on is the first real look at what the rest of the defense is doing. Until that point, your focus needs to be on the read guy.
 
#88      
I agree that your statement is true... for passing and for timing. But... "running" is instinct. He doesn't need reps, to "run", and what I saw was 'repeated hesitation'. Watch any running Qb (in thief first or 20th game), when it's time to run, it's time. You "go". He wasn't getting caught in holes.. he was simply not attacking them. He was start/stop... go/hesitate... tackled. And the later the game went, the more regressive it appeared.

I'm happy the board is optimistic, and I wish the kid success.

But if honesty is what is looked for, based on my eyes (and those of seasoned fans that are close friends and work in the industry, (but I am NOT an Insider)... CT does not have enough tools/talent to succeed.

I hope upon hope to be incorrect.

And hence why he was 4th string.
 
#89      
Taylor has got to gain confidence in his reads. Not getting the spring really hurt him. Even in the spring, on scout team, he is only running an opposing teams offense and is not practicing reads very much. He has spent all of the fall on scout team and had no opportunity to practice reads until Friday's half speed walk through. And, Robinson would have taken most of those. If he can ever gain confidence in his reads (repetition, repetition, repetition), he will lose a lot of his hesitation and I think that we will see a lot more of the natural athlete come out. As Rod Smith said, he is looking at the games as his opportunity to prove himself. It truly is his opportunity to get off of the scout team. Also, Lovie never allows hitting of qbs in practice. One can look great or horrible in practice because of that restriction.