Pregame: Illinois vs Charlotte, Saturday, October 2nd, 11:00am CT, BTN

Status
Not open for further replies.
#26      
McCray should run for 200 yds, and a couple td’s against Charlotte. It’s time to quit being nice by starting player’s that’ve been around for these past loosing yrs. Bring in the Art!
 
#29      
McCray should run for 200 yds, and a couple td’s against Charlotte. It’s time to quit being nice by starting player’s that’ve been around for these past loosing yrs. Bring in the Art!
I was at the game - but end zone seats. I could see Peters played poorly, but watching the 60 minute version of the game last night I then saw just how poorly. I really don't think Sitkowski is an upgrade, but if you keep rolling out Peters you could lose the team (and injure a few more receivers), so its worth a shot. Just don't put Williams back there as a starter - he simply cannot throw with any accuracy at all.
 
#31      
Hypothetically speaking if I were to tell you at the beginning of the season we would go 3-9 with only 3 blowouts (Virginia, Penn St and Iowa) would you consider that an acceptable first season for BB?

It seems to be the direction we are heading in and I can't decide what I think of it yet.
I think my hope for this year was 4-8 and to be competitive in most games. If we go 3-9 but are competitive against Iowa I would consider that a good start. It takes a year to change a system and get players playing how you want them. The strides we are seeing from the D and Special teams is enough to satiate until next year. Though our offense needs to show it will feed the playmakers by the end of the year. McCray, IW, and Spann need to be getting 10-15 touches a game each.
 
#33      
Is it me, or is this season looking less exciting on a national level? Seems like there are typically a number of elite programs that can challenge for the title and there are more exciting darkhorse candidates trying to get to the CFP, but my sense of it is that Alabama is the gold standard, with Georgia the only team that looks like a serious challenger. Lotta season left, so there's always drama, but just using the eye test I don't see a team as deep and complete as AL, and a sizable drop-off between AL/GA and the other names.
 
#34      
Is it me, or is this season looking less exciting on a national level? Seems like there are typically a number of elite programs that can challenge for the title and there are more exciting darkhorse candidates trying to get to the CFP, but my sense of it is that Alabama is the gold standard, with Georgia the only team that looks like a serious challenger. Lotta season left, so there's always drama, but just using the eye test I don't see a team as deep and complete as AL, and a sizable drop-off between AL/GA and the other names.
Georgia is a serious contender every season then loses to bama every season. They barely beat Clemson who we now know is very flawed. If they lose to Alabama in the SEC ship, and Iowa/PSU, Oklahoma, and Oregon go undefeated then you really can't let them into the playoff. I think that 4 would be the most diverse top 4 in a while if it were to happen. But agreed, it's Alabama's season to lose at this point.
 
#35      

Ransom Stoddard

Ordained Dudeist Priest
Bloomington, IL
Georgia is a serious contender every season then loses to bama every season. They barely beat Clemson who we now know is very flawed. If they lose to Alabama in the SEC ship, and Iowa/PSU, Oklahoma, and Oregon go undefeated then you really can't let them into the playoff. I think that 4 would be the most diverse top 4 in a while if it were to happen. But agreed, it's Alabama's season to lose at this point.
Pretty much my thoughts. I think Iowa and PSU are going to wind up playing 2x this year. If they split, whoever wins the B1G championship game is going to the playoffs, the other to a New Year's Day game.
 
#36      
Pretty much my thoughts. I think Iowa and PSU are going to wind up playing 2x this year. If they split, whoever wins the B1G championship game is going to the playoffs, the other to a New Year's Day game.
It's a flawed system if Georgia jumps a bunch of teams to the 2 spot for beating Clemson, and now that Clemson is barely ranked shouldn't Oregon jump them to 2 for beating OSU who is ranked higher? Arkansas, Oregon, PSU the list goes on of teams with better wins than Georgia currently, the preseason rankings hold to much weight and kill the CFP.
 
#37      
I think most of the people that post on here just like to live in misery. They would prefer Illinois to just keep losing so it gives them something to write about on this board. This is a huge rebuild that will take time. From a coaching stand point, BB and the staff are trying to implement their coaching schemes and styles. There is legitimately no one on either side of the ball that you have to account for as the other team. This roster is bad, bad, bad, bad. Stop thinking that a new coach will come in and be six wins better just from coaching. Coaching is about establishing a culture and an identity. People who believe that this was a quick fix and not something that will take years are delusional. Go Illini.
 
#38      
Is it me, or is this season looking less exciting on a national level? Seems like there are typically a number of elite programs that can challenge for the title and there are more exciting darkhorse candidates trying to get to the CFP, but my sense of it is that Alabama is the gold standard, with Georgia the only team that looks like a serious challenger. Lotta season left, so there's always drama, but just using the eye test I don't see a team as deep and complete as AL, and a sizable drop-off between AL/GA and the other names.
I’m on the other side of this. I think there’s more parity this year and it’s been a really fun season outside of our own struggles. Clemson knocked down. OSU isn’t a lock. Bama has got Ole Miss that looks serious and played them tough last year. Georgia D is insane but that’s fun
 
#41      
I think it's more to do with Pertersen's play calling rather than who's taking the snaps.
His play calling is not great, but Peters is a statue back there. That is tying Petersen's hands a bit, though he needs to work with what he has. Disappointed to not see more jet sweeps, PA passes to the flat--anything to keep the defense honest and open those holes for McCray and others.
 
#43      
We have been blaming the play caller for 3 seasons now. At some point it isn't the driver it is the car. I know R. Smith and Petersen aren't highly regarded but our inconsistency might have something to do with players not executing at this point
Have you seen a TE in the seam? A slant behind them blitzing 6 or more? We lose yards on screens and 3rd&1's up the middle which I agree is execution but trying something different once in a while might loosen things up. Wildcat, options, quick passes, QB draw anything to keep Peters from holding the ball and to change up McCray pounding the rock. And Norwood on the field 3rd &1 over McCray or Love is insane.

Edit: Sorry, not directed at you at all.. just frustrated with losing winnable games.
 
#45      
Have you seen a TE in the seam? A slant behind them blitzing 6 or more? We lose yards on screens and 3rd&1's up the middle which I agree is execution but trying something different once in a while might loosen things up. Wildcat, options, quick passes, QB draw anything to keep Peters from holding the ball and to change up McCray pounding the rock. And Norwood on the field 3rd &1 over McCray or Love is insane.

Edit: Sorry, not directed at you at all.. just frustrated with losing winnable games.
No offense taken nbc. I too get frustrated and don't think we are putting ourselves in the best position to win, but I think the blame is fairly evenly distributed between BB, TP, and the players on the field.
 
#46      

Illiniaaron

Geneseo, IL
I think most of the people that post on here just like to live in misery. They would prefer Illinois to just keep losing so it gives them something to write about on this board. This is a huge rebuild that will take time. From a coaching stand point, BB and the staff are trying to implement their coaching schemes and styles. There is legitimately no one on either side of the ball that you have to account for as the other team. This roster is bad, bad, bad, bad. Stop thinking that a new coach will come in and be six wins better just from coaching. Coaching is about establishing a culture and an identity. People who believe that this was a quick fix and not something that will take years are delusional. Go Illini.
I posted earlier this year in the season thread that if Illinois went 6-6 this season Bielema should be named Big Ten Coach of the Year. I thought 3 or 4 wins was more realistic. What's frustrating as fans so hungry for any wins is games like the last two weeks where the game is there to be won in the final quarter and multiple phases of the game fail and those three or four plays that win or lose a game are made by the opponent. The losses the past two weeks (esp. Maryland) are much more disappointing then the Virginia blowout imo because Virginia outclassed the Illini in talent by such a wide margin, while the other two games were there to be had. I don't think anyone believed this would be a quick fix but with all the returning upper classmen they might have a chance to win a few more games than people thought. It's not turning out that way and that's why people are frustrated.
 
#47      
I posted earlier this year in the season thread that if Illinois went 6-6 this season Bielema should be named Big Ten Coach of the Year. I thought 3 or 4 wins was more realistic. What's frustrating as fans so hungry for any wins is games like the last two weeks where the game is there to be won in the final quarter and multiple phases of the game fail and those three or four plays that win or lose a game are made by the opponent. The losses the past two weeks (esp. Maryland) are much more disappointing then the Virginia blowout imo because Virginia outclassed the Illini in talent by such a wide margin, while the other two games were there to be had. I don't think anyone believed this would be a quick fix but with all the returning upper classmen they might have a chance to win a few more games than people thought. It's not turning out that way and that's why people are frustrated.
It's fine to be frustrated but calling for coaches to be fired five games in is unreasonable. That's all I was getting at.
 
#49      
Personally not calling for anyone's job...yet. The D has made adjustments and improved. Let's see the O do the same. Love me some Blake Hayes but no one wants the punter to be the most exciting player.
Didn't mean to call anyone out. As frustrated as some people are at the coaching I get frustrated with people not allowing coaches to coach. We are five games in. This is gonna take time. Just a side note, I don't know if anyone listens to Pardon My Take from Barstool but Big Cat interviewed Barry Alvarez and he talked about building up Wisconsin and what they looked for in recruits. I thought it was a very good interview especially considering that is the line BB came from. I thought it was worth a listen.
 
#50      
Hypothetically speaking if I were to tell you at the beginning of the season we would go 3-9 with only 3 blowouts (Virginia, Penn St and Iowa) would you consider that an acceptable first season for BB?

It seems to be the direction we are heading in and I can't decide what I think of it yet.
I really felt like 4 was the floor pre-season. Really could have won 3 of those 4 losses, and should have won 2. Have to win this one if we still have a shot at that floor now.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.