Rutgers 20, Illinois 14 Postgame

#101      
Yeah... It 'could' (See definition of)... IF the players were bigger, stronger, faster and more talented, then they 'could' (still NOT in the category of 'would') ! ! ! But since the current players aren't big enough, strong enough, fast enough or talented enough, it's NOT a bowl team... And won't be until we find the players that ARE !

Quite frankly we've faced this problem since 1959 after Ray Eliot retired. We've hired, fired FIFTEEN (15) head coaches since then - Fifteen ! ! ! So what you are seeing is the RESULT of all that ! Keep doing the same thing, and keep getting the same result... what's that called, I forgot ! o_O
You're condescending reply and silly use of bolds doesn't change the fact that terrible play calls took away the chance of victory in a few games. To get better recruits, you have to show that the program is heading the right way, that the coaching is turning the program around. It's early still in the BB era, but it'll still be a huge obstacle to recruit players.
 
#102      
You're condescending reply and silly use of bolds doesn't change the fact that terrible play calls took away the chance of victory in a few games. To get better recruits, you have to show that the program is heading the right way, that the coaching is turning the program around. It's early still in the BB era, but it'll still be a huge obstacle to recruit players.
A different way to look at this is that other than Charlotte we have been at a talent disadvantage in each of our games this year; in some cases the disadvantage has been pretty significant. Yet other than against UVA and the 2nd half against UW we have been in the game until the very end. So yes, there have been some questionable or bad calls, and I'm not thrilled with Peterson as OC. However, we have been much more competitive than our talent level would suggest and much more competitive than we were under Lovie. That's something we should be able to sell to prospective recruits.
 
#103      
Yeah... It 'could' (See definition of)... IF the players were bigger, stronger, faster and more talented, then they 'could' (still NOT in the category of 'would') ! ! ! But since the current players aren't big enough, strong enough, fast enough or talented enough, it's NOT a bowl team... And won't be until we find the players that ARE !

Quite frankly we've faced this problem since 1959 after Ray Eliot retired. We've hired, fired FIFTEEN (15) head coaches since then - Fifteen ! ! ! So what you are seeing is the RESULT of all that ! Keep doing the same thing, and keep getting the same result... what's that called, I forgot ! o_O
Nonsense. The players were big enough, strong enough, fast enough, and talented enough to beat Penn State on the road and be competitive in every game except Virginia and Wisconsin. A better job of coaching could have had this team bowl eligible, as could have better quarterback play. But to put this on small, weak, slow and untalented players doesn't hold up to what we've seen on the field.

I appreciate many of your comments, if not just to see words bolded, italicized and underlined (triple emphasis noted!), but I think you're off base here. A bowl eligible team doesn't necessarily even have to win half their games if there aren't enough qualifying teams. So, literally, even a below average team can qualify for a bowl.
 
#104      

Illinir1

Camdenton, MO
Has anyone heard of a ball spotting error by the referees on the Illini's final offensive 4th down play?

Robert Rosenthal, on Twitter, captured screen shots that show Norwood being tackled approximately 1 foot short of the first down line to gain 33 yard line, the line judge running in and showing a spot 1 foot short, then after a Rutgers defensive timeout the ball is spotted 1 yard short on the 34 yard line, then the Center Judge picks up the ball and moves it 1 foot further out to the 34 yard and 1 foot line. While the 4th down pitch got totally stuffed, the point is a QB sneak on 4th and 1 foot most likely continues the Illini possession and possibly the game outcome.

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#105      
A different way to look at this is that other than Charlotte we have been at a talent disadvantage in each of our games this year; in some cases the disadvantage has been pretty significant. Yet other than against UVA and the 2nd half against UW we have been in the game until the very end. So yes, there have been some questionable or bad calls, and I'm not thrilled with Peterson as OC. However, we have been much more competitive than our talent level would suggest and much more competitive than we were under Lovie. That's something we should be able to sell to prospective recruits.
Well, we beat WI and MSU two years ago, but Covid killed the momentum from that. We may just have to sell the new facilities that Lovie was not allowed to, due to Covid. I could care less that Lovie didn't recruit IL hard. He did bring in athletes that were able to beat MSU and WI two years ago and # 7 PSU this year. I think that he should have been fired, also. My problem is the mentality of the coach brought in to replace him. If you look at the words of the TE coach after the PSU win, receivers should be running to stay away.
 
#106      
Has anyone heard of a ball spotting error by the referees on the Illini's final offensive 4th down play?

Robert Rosenthal, on Twitter, captured screen shots that show Norwood being tackled approximately 1 foot short of the first down line to gain 33 yard line, the line judge running in and showing a spot 1 foot short, then after a Rutgers defensive timeout the ball is spotted 1 yard short on the 34 yard line, then the Center Judge picks up the ball and moves it 1 foot further out to the 34 yard and 1 foot line. While the 4th down pitch got totally stuffed, the point is a QB sneak on 4th and 1 foot most likely continues the Illini possession and possibly the game outcome.

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Just more evidence as to why the betting shifted to Rutgers during the week, mm hmm.
 
#107      
Some tough losses but better than getting blown out. Our offensive playbook seems very limited. Wish we threw more quick screens to Williams etc.
 
#108      
Has anyone heard of a ball spotting error by the referees on the Illini's final offensive 4th down play?

Robert Rosenthal, on Twitter, captured screen shots that show Norwood being tackled approximately 1 foot short of the first down line to gain 33 yard line, the line judge running in and showing a spot 1 foot short, then after a Rutgers defensive timeout the ball is spotted 1 yard short on the 34 yard line, then the Center Judge picks up the ball and moves it 1 foot further out to the 34 yard and 1 foot line. While the 4th down pitch got totally stuffed, the point is a QB sneak on 4th and 1 foot most likely continues the Illini possession and possibly the game outcome.

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I saw that too. The odd spotting has been an issue all year.
 
#109      
That last screenshot of the LOS should demonstrate that the call for that pitch was not necessarily a bad one (in theory), it just should have been audibled when the defender did not come over with Isaiah. They created such a pile in the middle that a sneak or dive would not have worked. Just wish Chase or McCray had been available on 3rd down. The play probably gets converted in that case, and we continue with momentum.

Still, can't put yourselves in that situation against Rutgers--no points in the second half?
 
#110      
Has anyone heard of a ball spotting error by the referees on the Illini's final offensive 4th down play?

Robert Rosenthal, on Twitter, captured screen shots that show Norwood being tackled approximately 1 foot short of the first down line to gain 33 yard line, the line judge running in and showing a spot 1 foot short, then after a Rutgers defensive timeout the ball is spotted 1 yard short on the 34 yard line, then the Center Judge picks up the ball and moves it 1 foot further out to the 34 yard and 1 foot line. While the 4th down pitch got totally stuffed, the point is a QB sneak on 4th and 1 foot most likely continues the Illini possession and possibly the game outcome.

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I was sitting at the 30yrd line and everyone around us was screaming about that. I don't know why it wasn't challenged since that is a fairly significant difference. It was fairly obvious he was well ahead of where that was marked and why the CJ is overriding the LJ that was literally watching it from the best angle to make the call.
 
#111      
Well, we beat WI and MSU two years ago, but Covid killed the momentum from that. We may just have to sell the new facilities that Lovie was not allowed to, due to Covid. I could care less that Lovie didn't recruit IL hard. He did bring in athletes that were able to beat MSU and WI two years ago and # 7 PSU this year. I think that he should have been fired, also. My problem is the mentality of the coach brought in to replace him. If you look at the words of the TE coach after the PSU win, receivers should be running to stay away.
We beat MSU, yes, on a series of events that happens 1/1000 times.

Wisconsin, instead of running and getting the first down or then punting it, decides to throw. If they run and convert or fail and punt, it forces a bad offense to drive 50+ yards to get into FG range to win. This is after they fumble near our RedZone. Wisconsin win probability was 98.2% at that point, up 23-14, 2nd and 3 at our 25 ,halfway through the 4th.

We need some innovation on offense. We have zero margin for error as evidenced by starting multiple drives behind schedule or pinned deep.
 
#112      

The Galloping Ghost

Washington, DC
I wouldn't think so, most offensive coaches gone right now wouldn't take an OC job for us as they can go to Saban's rehab school and get better jobs. Other issue is that BB has a vision and a former head coach is going to have their own agenda that may not align. Guessing we get TP for another 2-3 years until BB has his guys in starting roles and then needs to upgrade the OC position to have us take the next step.
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#113      
I wouldn't think so, most offensive coaches gone right now wouldn't take an OC job for us as they can go to Saban's rehab school and get better jobs. Other issue is that BB has a vision and a former head coach is going to have their own agenda that may not align. Guessing we get TP for another 2-3 years until BB has his guys in starting roles and then needs to upgrade the OC position to have us take the next step.
I think Joey Wagner mentioned, based on contracts, financially not feasible to move from Tony Peterson after this year. Guessing 2 yr contract with buyout or guarantee for 2 yrs.
 
#114      
I think Joey Wagner mentioned, based on contracts, financially not feasible to move from Tony Peterson after this year. Guessing 2 yr contract with buyout or guarantee for 2 yrs.
This and I don't think Coach B moves on after just 1 year. I think He'll roll with Petersen another year and put more of the players they recruited in there and possibly stick more to RUN game and throw in some play action and some shotgun plays
 
#117      
Truthfully, BB wants to pound the ball on the ground. Why would he hire another OC?
Agreed. That's why the sparse use of McCray is so inexplicable. I know there has been some talk about him being dinged up but nothing public unless I missed it. Love Chase B but he just isn't big and durable enough to be a feature back IMO. McCray fits the bill.
 
#118      

pruman91

Paducah, Ky
Agreed. That's why the sparse use of McCray is so inexplicable. I know there has been some talk about him being dinged up but nothing public unless I missed it. Love Chase B but he just isn't big and durable enough to be a feature back IMO. McCray fits the bill.
BB said McCray had some flu symptoms earlier in week and still dinged up hand....
 
#121      
Appears that only getting to watch the 1st half was a good thing before family time took priority.

I’ll depress myself at a later time with second half thoughts.

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I’m depressed enough as it is to put myself through this slow bloodletting.
On to the Fightin’ Flecks.

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