Pregame: Illinois vs Minnesota, Saturday, October 15th, 11:00am CT, BTN

[BZuppke]

I don’t put much stock in their defensive rankings although I’m sure they’re relatively good. The best statement about their defense is their loss to Purdue. Purdue is the only quality team they’ve played and they did all right holding them to 359 yards total offense. So they’re pretty good as measured by that game.

 

[NJJ871]

I'll be second, except that I will strike the "we try" phrase.

I know what you’re saying, but “I think well over 50,000 watch us as to clinch bowl eligibility” is grammatically problematic.

 

[redwingillini11]

First thing you see when you go to the athletics website is a promo / ad for the 2 for $79 deal... Marked difference from last week.

 

[CentralILLini]

Any suggestions on a bar for a few drinks before the game? Want to get there about 9 am….not sure what would be open.

 

[willillini]

Sounds just like those darn Gophers! I can see that you hold a grudge quite well, something I respect a great deal.

Good find, by the way.

you don't think BZuppke was there?

 

['16caine]

Any suggestions on a bar for a few drinks before the game? Want to get there about 9 am….not sure what would be open.

My go to are Legends and Joes

 

[NoRival]

My go to are Legends and Joes

Legends normally opens at 11.

I will be there post game.

 

[TGB]

Let’s see if DIA learns any lessons. For a homecoming game ticket sales before today were terrible. I just hope they don’t talk down to the fans again.

Edit: For the record amongst all my criticism over the past week I did acknowledge in the game thread the DIA pulled it off and stadium looked and sounded great on TV. Hope they can do it against game.

Go to the game. It’s better than watching on TV.

 

[IllinoisssssssVarsity]

Im parking at research lots. Am I allowed to tailgate there?

Are there any people that generally just let you “donate” a few bucks to their fund and allow you to join them?

Just trying to get a feel for what I can do with my kids.

 

[IlliniKat91]

Any suggestions on a bar for a few drinks before the game? Want to get there about 9 am….not sure what would be open.

You'll get fun looks from the cashiers, but I'd pick up a six pack or two from Walmart or a local grocery store and head to a friend's tailgate if you could

 

[217sports]

You'll get fun looks from the cashiers, but I'd pick up a six pack or two from Walmart or a local grocery store and head to a friend's tailgate if you could

I think cashiers in Champaign have seen alcohol purchased as early as possible plenty of times

 

[IlliniKat91]

I think cashiers in Champaign have seen alcohol purchased as early as possible plenty of times

I've done it several times and was mean mugged each time, even though I was in head to toe orange.

They may see it plenty, doesn't mean they won't still judge it

 

[Dan]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1579637560594178048

 

[fuddrules]

They lost to Purdue without Ibrahim. He's back for us. And their offense is better than Iowa's.

We did beat them last year at their place Ibrahim in, of course, but I could see another 9-6 type game.

I'm not entirely sure what you're saying here but Ibrahim did not play against Illinois last year.

 

[Jimbo]

Who is Art's backup?

With the way Art doesn’t shy from contact, that’s a very good question. Some kid named Johnson is what I heard.

 

[BRucks]

Im parking at research lots. Am I allowed to tailgate there?

Are there any people that generally just let you “donate” a few bucks to their fund and allow you to join them?

Just trying to get a feel for what I can do with my kids.

Have you tried Grange Grove? Perfect for families. Something for everyone. Can bring beer if you like.

 

[Jimbo]

I love that we’re a 6.5 point underdog for homecoming. Love it. I think it will give us more incentive. That “nobody respects us” angle is huge.

i think Art will play. Bielema doesn’t seem like the type to rush players back. That’s fine. A hobbled TDV might be at risk of taking more hits. I bet we hang in there and win the game on a late field goal. Wouldn’t hurt to get a defensive score. 23-20 illini.

 

[Chukwuwumba]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1579534078759821312

Interested in what coaches will decide as far as who’s playing…if they can go, and it’s pain management, do they decide to push them to play against possible West front runner?? But may have rest of season effects? Or do they rest then with bye right after, and get healthy for remaining stretch? Will see what staff thinks is important.

As another poster said, Iowa was very physical and beat up Illini last week. Just as they did to wisky week before.

 

[DeonThomas]

I love that we’re a 6.5 point underdog for homecoming. Love it. I think it will give us more incentive. That “nobody respects us” angle is huge.

i think Art will play. Bielema doesn’t seem like the type to rush players back. That’s fine. A hobbled TDV might be at risk of taking more hits. I bet we hang in there and win the game on a late field goal. Wouldn’t hurt to get a defensive score. 23-20 illini.

Agreed. Pretty certain it will be Art this Saturday, with DeVito getting two full weeks in his attempt to heal the ankle.

And I'm more bullish on SItkowski than most. He's a great team guy, and he has BB's respect. He has a solid arm, even though he's not terribly accurate. He's got a great QB mentality and he's gutsy (as evidenced by his shoulder-first dive on his 8 yard run last week). He also started a number of games for us last year while Peters was hurt/out. And before that he got ample experience at Rutgers. He's very well-seasoned for a back-up QB.

However, I don't like the fact that we may have 4 starters, in total, missing the game. Another win over a Big 10 West challenger would be huge! Prognostication coming later this week......

 

[GILL-INOIS]

Agreed. Pretty certain it will be Art this Saturday, with DeVito getting two full weeks in his attempt to heal the ankle.

And I'm more bullish on SItkowski than most. He's a great team guy, and he has BB's respect. He has a solid arm, even though he's not terribly accurate. He's got a great QB mentality and he's gutsy (as evidenced by his shoulder-first dive on his 8 yard run last week). He also started a number of games for us last year while Peters was hurt/out. And before that he got ample experience at Rutgers. He's very well-seasoned for a back-up QB.

However, I don't like the fact that we may have 4 starters, in total, missing the game. Another win over a Big 10 West challenger would be huge! Prognostication coming later this week......

I can respect your take but I am not bullish on Sitkowski.

We have to limit the playbook with Art in the game. Honestly with the INT last week and almost turnover that would have cost us the game we got real lucky. It would have got real ugly in this forum. Illinois has to find a way to be aggressive without Sitkowski turning the ball over. Screens, shovel pass, heck even throw Brown in a Wildcat formation few times a game if Art is the QB. I have no problem if Art can manage the game he just can't force anything and Lunney has to find a creative way to move the chains with a less talented QB. Hopefully the run game and D can carry us whether it is Art or Tommy this week.

 

[RML]

I'm not entirely sure what you're saying here but Ibrahim did not play against Illinois last year.

Oops, I thought he did. Thanks for the correction.

 

[RML]

I can respect your take but I am not bullish on Sitkowski.

We have to limit the playbook with Art in the game. Honestly with the INT last week and almost turnover that would have cost us the game we got real lucky. It would have got real ugly in this forum. Illinois has to find a way to be aggressive without Sitkowski turning the ball over. Screens, shovel pass, heck even throw Brown in a Wildcat formation few times a game if Art is the QB. I have no problem if Art can manage the game he just can't force anything and Lunney has to find a creative way to move the chains with a less talented QB. Hopefully the run game and D can carry us whether it is Art or Tommy this week.

DeVito is like a pro at finding the open guy on a short route and hitting him. Art is like the kind of QB we usually have.

 

[Yukon]

Honestly I didn't think there was such a huge dropoff with Art in the game, at least not to the degree that everyone is implying here. His accuracy is much improved from last year, hitting those short passes about as well as Devito. I was also encouraged by the couple of longer passes he hit. And he's a little smarter about throwing it away when needed.

The difference is in the decision making. Art still tries to thread the ball into double or more coverage, and passing into plays that are obviously about to get blown up. Plus he telegraphs everything... is he checking down at all, or are these designed plays where it's A and only A? Devito is much more deceptive and creative.

Without a doubt Devito gives us a better chance. But Art just beat the #3 defense in the country, so I'm not gnashing my teeth at the idea of him playing next week.

Well, the play calling tells me a lot. Art through laterally mostly. WR screens. Most of which failed because it was so readable. They will need to get more creative and of course we know we will run the ball well. ILL!

 

[BretMyBeachHouse]

We are due for a defensive TD. Might be the difference.

 

[lexwaldez]

I love that we’re a 6.5 point underdog for homecoming. Love it. I think it will give us more incentive. That “nobody respects us” angle is huge.

i think Art will play. Bielema doesn’t seem like the type to rush players back. That’s fine. A hobbled TDV might be at risk of taking more hits. I bet we hang in there and win the game on a late field goal. Wouldn’t hurt to get a defensive score. 23-20 illini.

I think you're right. IW and TDV both sit and rest. Defense gets another test; can we hold Mo to under 75 rushing yards? I'm interested to see what Fleck and Co come up with to counter our defense. This year I'm sort of getting into the chess matches we're seeing on the field. I think Lunney whips up some play action, maybe some screens to Love 3 and Brown and a good dose of short, quick passes to our TE's. Ford and Reiman... plz catch the ball. I think the combination of Chase Brown and three solid WR's makes Minnesota's job on defense more difficult that we think. Then a VERY fresh set of legs in McCray? I am not sure their defensive line can hang with us. Art might have a day. Illini - 20 Ski-U-Mah - 16