Week 7 Polls - Illinois #24 in AP Poll
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lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Let’s goooo!!!
to the team and coaches. Well-earned, gentlemen!
First time in 11 years. But it feels more like the first time in 111 years. That was a Ron Zook team in case any of you out there weren’t born yet.
I figured we be just outside the top 25 but hells yes I'll take it!!
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Let’s say DeVito is still out for Minnesota. That’s a likely loss. Which would drop us back out of the rankings.
But then let’s say he comes back for Nebraska and is healthy the rest of the way.
We likely beat Nebraska, which probably wouldn’t be enough to get us back in.
But then we’re home for MSU. Win that and we’re ranked again.
Beat Purdue at home and at that point we’re 8-2, likely ranked in the top 20.
Lose to Michigan on the road the next week and we’re ranked ~22.
Then beat Northwestern at home to finish the season 9-3 and we’re ~18 headed to a bowl game.
But then let’s say he comes back for Nebraska and is healthy the rest of the way.
We likely beat Nebraska, which probably wouldn’t be enough to get us back in.
But then we’re home for MSU. Win that and we’re ranked again.
Beat Purdue at home and at that point we’re 8-2, likely ranked in the top 20.
Lose to Michigan on the road the next week and we’re ranked ~22.
Then beat Northwestern at home to finish the season 9-3 and we’re ~18 headed to a bowl game.
This team is so impressive. The coaches are not only training them as athletes, they are training them as good young men. Lovie lacked emotion and the ability to teach, which Bret may be a master at teaching. You can tell in the post game presser and interviews how humble and well-coached our players are. They give credit to others, and are wise beyond their years. In previous years I have picked on how dumb our players and coaches have been, and how dumb all the 15 yard penalties were. This team is different, is well-rounded, and I can't wait for the 2nd half of the season to play out. I see a trip to Michigan in November, and a potential trip to Indy in early December for OSU. Man I would love to watch our D contain them. A New Year's Day Bowl (Citrus or Outback) will be within reach if we can stay somewhat healthy, get some breaks, and keep grinding. I'm just a long-time excited Illini football fan!!! Let's go Illini!!
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
Say what you want about Lovie Smith, but he also trained these athletes to be good young men. Honestly, that might have been his most positive attribute (maybe only positive attribute?).
He just couldn't coach... recruit... stay awake... manage the clock... understand the press... etc.
Anyway, #24 is crazy! I would have never assumed in August...!!! Let's shoot for top 20 next weekend! Beat the Gophers!
And now the longest active streak among Power 5 schools without being ranked now goes to Rutgers, who were last ranked in November 2012.
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
Could not be happier for our players, coaches, and fans. We've all suffered so darn much to finally get here. More than anything, though, I'm happy we can't be the answer to that friggin' piece of trivia for a long time. Fingers crossed, it never happens again.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
And it was a (literally) historic choke.
So proud of these guys, well deserved. Let’s get Tommy healthy and do what we did to Wiscy to the Goofs!
Illini_1979
- Oregon
If Art is starting we could most certainly tieWe can't lose to Minnesota if they don't score. Just sayin'.
I was as hard on Art as anyone last night. But, give him a week to prepare as a starter + a lesser defense in Minnesota and my hunch is that we see a slightly better version of him this coming weekend.
If he does indeed start, that is.
BZuppke
- Plainfield
Loren Tate - who I’ve never been a fan of (Think Chief Gritty without the optimism 
) said something interesting the other day. He said he’s seen 11 head coaches come and go and most of them he could tell were dead men walking their last couple of years. He feels very different about Bielema and our future success For what it’s worth.
) said something interesting the other day. He said he’s seen 11 head coaches come and go and most of them he could tell were dead men walking their last couple of years. He feels very different about Bielema and our future success For what it’s worth.BZuppke
- Plainfield
I agree. He’s no Tommy DeVito but he can certainly lead us to victory against the Fighting Rowboats. I would of course lean very heavily on Chase Brown. He needs 40 Carrie’s and 200 yards.
Art badly needs some reps with the ones, IMO. Yesterday he looked badly out of sync on nearly every play. That can be fixed, hopefully, in a week
Mr. Tibbs
- southeast DuPage
let’s just hope Tommy’s ankle can be fixed in less than a week .
Happy for the players. They earned this.
That's gonna be tough. There are currently 4 movie adaptations, 1 special episode of Riverdale, and 3 musicals. Add in the original novel and that adds up to just 9 Carrie's.
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