Pregame: Illinois at Penn State, Saturday, October 23rd, 11:00am CT, ABC

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#176      
A good lineman, is a good lineman. Take Doug Kramer as an example. Players can adapt to new systems, it's doable. If you're not a good lineman, you're just not going to see the field and it's time to move on.
Not true. While some can adapt, I have seen a few that could not actually get on the field at Illinois, start for teams in the NFL. Different coaches look for different things.
 
#178      
I feel like this happens most with RBs. I know Alvin Kamara and Arian Foster couldn't really produce in college and were world beaters in the NFL. OL that were on bad teams and weren't highly regarded also happens quite a bit, but you can't say they didn't see the field because almost all of them were starting left tackles for bad teams of FCS teams and then it clicks or they are put in the right situation.
 
#179      
I feel like this happens most with RBs. I know Alvin Kamara and Arian Foster couldn't really produce in college and were world beaters in the NFL. OL that were on bad teams and weren't highly regarded also happens quite a bit, but you can't say they didn't see the field because almost all of them were starting left tackles for bad teams of FCS teams and then it clicks or they are put in the right situation.
He said at Illinois though, that stuff happens at Bama, Tennessee (in this case), and schools that have 5-star recruits backing up better 5-star recruits.
 
#181      

ChiefGritty

Chicago, IL
He said at Illinois though, that stuff happens at Bama, Tennessee (in this case), and schools that have 5-star recruits backing up better 5-star recruits.
And it is in fact very rare even in that case.

Jalen Hurd played more than Alvin Kamara at Tennessee because Butch Jones is an idiot.

But anyway, the claim was that there were "a few" linemen who couldn't get on the field at Illinois who were NFL starters. I am unaware of any such player.
 
#183      
Honestly surprised his comments even got as much play as they did. We're a bottom tier program and everyone's fine laughing at us losing until our big meanie coach said something honest.

It's really just cuz it's Bielema, but any coach that would've been hired would've been thinking the same things.
 
#185      
True, and the first one was a maybe you do, maybe you don't. The second one was a no brainer. So, lets say we split. This season would look a lot better with 3 wins instead of 2.

Sorry... IMHO... NOT a 'no brainer'... If you don't TRUST your offense to make the yard(s)....
 
#187      

the national

the Front Range
I think we need to clarify what he was saying as well. His statement was saying that they weren't doing anything as far as playing time which is a fact. It is concerning that the guys recruited in the last years by Lovie are not in any position to contribute on gameday and that is what BB is talking about.
Thank you.
 
#188      
I may be off base here, but would we have at least 1-2 more wins if we even had someone as competent as, say, Charlotte’s QB under center?

I know people criticized the game plan vs Wisconsin and doubt we would have won that game anyway, but that’s the game that really opened my eyes to how bad our QB play has been this year. We had several plays where receivers were open and the ball wasn’t anywhere close. At least from what I could see, it didn’t appear to be a timing/rust issue, just really inaccurate throwing. Just wonder where we would be with even replacement level BIG Quarterback play.
 
#189      
I may be off base here, but would we have at least 1-2 more wins if we even had someone as competent as, say, Charlotte’s QB under center?

I know people criticized the game plan vs Wisconsin and doubt we would have won that game anyway, but that’s the game that really opened my eyes to how bad our QB play has been this year. We had several plays where receivers were open and the ball wasn’t anywhere close. At least from what I could see, it didn’t appear to be a timing/rust issue, just really inaccurate throwing. Just wonder where we would be with even replacement level BIG Quarterback play.

We would be first or second in the Big Ten West.
 
#191      
We would be first or second in the Big Ten West.
Hes Right GIF by MOODMAN
 
#193      
Hosts on The Score today have been having kittens over BB's comments from yesterday.
Do people still listen to the Score or read deadspin? I find that sort of catty gossiping and pearl clutching indistinguishable from celebrity gossip magazines or pop culture morning shows. Just a bunch of hens cluck-clucking. It’s all so…feminine. “Oh no. Bret said something. Now we should all have the vapors. Let’s discuss over treats.”

F#%^ that noise.
 
#199      

pruman91

Paducah, Ky

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois and No. 7 Penn State will not announce their starting quarterbacks before Saturday’s Big Ten Conference showdown at Beaver Stadium.
The Illini and Nittany Lions are facing similar circumstances with one of their top quarterbacks either recovering from or dealing with an injury, but Illinois’ situation is a little less defined.

“We’ll make that (starting quarterback) decision public when the game starts, so I won’t name a starter before that,” Illini coach Bret Bielema said. “Our players know, our coaches know. Everything’s been that way since Tuesday’s practice forward.”

Bielema said his team will be ready no matter who starts under center for the Nittany Lions.
“We’ve prepared for a variety of different looks offensively,” Bielema said. “(For) all three quarterbacks, we’ve had game plans (with) an understanding that we don’t really know who’s gonna show up on Saturday, so we’ll go with it as it plays out before us during the game.”

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I hope whoever starts and plays QB for the Illini gets us some points on the scoreboard....wou;ld hate to suffer another shutout...

psu 45
Illini 9

Painful..................................................
 
#200      
Clifford has practiced some for Penn State this week, but will he play?

I’d say rest him, but if their backup is an Illinois level QB, that might give us too much of a winning chance than Franklin is comfortable with.

We should come out inspired after this week’s “drama.” No matter who is at QB for us, the offense needs to find a way to sustain drives and keep this a field position game. Points are great, obviously, but keeping the defense fresh is also important. See the second half against Wisconsin and what can happen to an exhausted defense (and it should have been worse than it was, thanks for keeping it classy Chryst).

For the degenerate gamblers out there, the over/under is set at 45.5 and the spread is -23.5. With the lack of clarity around the quarterbacks, for both teams, the under looks quite appetizing. The under has hit in the last 5 Illini contests, and in 3 of the last 5 for the Nittany Lions.
 
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