Pregame: Illinois vs Purdue, Saturday, November 12th, 11:00am CT, ESPN2

[21ChampaignSt]

Stop...just stop. The sky is not falling.

I don't think he was saying the sky is falling. Just pointing out that some of our most lofty goals are now out of reach and the crowd for a borderline top 25 team will be weaker than the crowd for a borderline top 10 team would have been.

Part of the problem is, we (myself included) are so jaded by the past that we think it's now or never. That if we don't get into the top 10 and do something great this year, it's never going to happen. But BB is building something here. We're still in the foundation phase. We will have plenty more spins of the wheel. This is just the beginning.

 

[FloridaMan]

Yes I realize BB wants to support his staff, however it is SO apparent this is a problem area the head coach needs to act. Not saying relieve him, but a firm understand ING of what must change is needed.

Yes, definitely give him an opportunity to make adjustments as I feel he is a clear upgrade from Tony Petersen. But I just feel like it is lazy play calling or lazy game prep or something. Sure, by all means we need to establish and be a run first team with an All B10 back who is getting 100 yards + with regularity. But where is McCray to wear down the D line and linebackers a bit? Chase B is an elusive back. Sure, he can give out a hit, but he's nowhere close to McCray in that department. If McCray is full go, why so few carries and none at the goal line? And why not roll Devito out sometimes especially when MSU knew he was gonna have to throw? Why not try some throws into the end zone when in the red zone? Why hand off 6-8 yards deep in the backfield twice in a row on 3rd and 4th and 1? I guess you can put some of that on the O line to a certain degree, but WTH? Just puzzling to say the least.

 

[ChiefGritty]

I don't think he was saying the sky is falling. Just pointing out that some of our most lofty goals are now out of reach and the crowd for a borderline top 25 team will be weaker than the crowd for a borderline top 10 team would have been.

Part of the problem is, we (myself included) are so jaded by the past that we think it's now or never. That if we don't get into the top 10 and do something great this year, it's never going to happen. But BB is building something here. We're still in the foundation phase. We will have plenty more spins of the wheel. This is just the beginning.

Guys we play for the Big Ten West title next week.

 

[jason88cubs]

Guys we play for the Big Ten West title next week.

Technically we won't clinch if we win. If we lose to Michigan+Northwestern we could still lose division to either Minneosta , Iowa or Wiscosnin if they win out

 

[ChiefGritty]

Illinois Fans: All we ask is to go 7-5 every year, that would be massive success here, that would awaken the fanbase and sell out MS and change in-state recruiting and all the rest, we'd build a statue of a coach who could do that.

Also Illinois Fans: I'm devastated we've been knocked out of the CFP conversation, but I expect us to be there soon.

 

[Captain 14]

Guys we play for the Big Ten West title next week.

This....just win

 

[21ChampaignSt]

Guys we play for the Big Ten West title next week.

Right. That's the point. BB is still building the foundation for his program, yet we lead the west.

The other point was that we've never been in the running for the cfp. So it probably feels like we have to capitalize this year. But there's no reason to think this is a flash in the pan. We can get back to this position in years to come.

 

[lstewart53x3]

Technically we won't clinch if we win. If we lose to Michigan+Northwestern we could still lose division to either Minneosta , Iowa or Wiscosnin if they win out

Incorrect.

Iowa, Minnesota, & Wisconsin each have 4 losses. We also have the tiebreaker over each.

We sit at 2 losses. If we beat Purdue, we can lose to both Michigan and Northwestern and end the season with 4 losses, yet win the West because of the tiebreaker.

Beat Purdue. Clinch the West.

 

[Illini2010-11]

Right. That's the point. BB is still building the foundation for his program, yet we lead the west.

The other point was that we've never been in the running for the cfp. So it probably feels like we have to capitalize this year. But there's no reason to think this is a flash in the pan. We can get back to this position in years to come.

On top of that, the forthcoming CFP expansion will be beneficial. Continue to build the foundation and identity, and Illinois will be in position to at least compete for an outside chance in the CFP. Unless you are in the elite class in college football, 10-25 feels like a real crap shoot. No reason to doubt that Coach B will get llinois as part of that crap shoot.

 

[Illini2010-11]

Incorrect.

Iowa, Minnesota, & Wisconsin each have 4 losses. We also have the tiebreaker over each.

We sit at 2 losses. If we beat Purdue, we can lose to both Michigan and Northwestern and end the season with 4 losses, yet win the West because of the tiebreaker.

Beat Purdue. Clinch the West.

Conference record is only thing that matters. Each of those teams have 3 losses, so Illini only have 1 game lead. Thus, Illini need win vs Purdue and then one of @Michigan or @Northwestern to clinch West.

Wiggle room was lost today.

 

[lstewart53x3]

Conference record is only thing that matters. Each of those teams have 3 losses, so Illini only have 1 game lead. Thus, Illini need win vs Purdue and then one of @Michigan or @Northwestern to clinch West.

Wiggle room was lost today.

I feel dumb. Thanks

 

[Battle89]

Right. That's the point. BB is still building the foundation for his program, yet we lead the west.

The other point was that we've never been in the running for the cfp. So it probably feels like we have to capitalize this year. But there's no reason to think this is a flash in the pan. We can get back to this position in years to come.

I’ve been the biggest proponent here (maybe 2nd to Gritty) about concentrating on the West and not getting lost in playoff talk.

But whatever your dream or goal, I absolutely feel you must capitalize immediately and strike while the iron is hot. One thousand little things must go right to win a championship, and dynastic building cannot be assumed.

Many thought the 80s Bears and 10s Cubs would win multiple titles (and thank goodness each got at least the one), but success was fleeting.

I wish the best for Bret here and I like what he’s doing, but there are no guarantees.

 

[Birdus]

Conference record is only thing that matters. Each of those teams have 3 losses, so Illini only have 1 game lead. Thus, Illini need win vs Purdue and then one of @Michigan or @Northwestern to clinch West.

Wiggle room was lost today.

Minnesota must still play Iowa, Wisconsin, and Northwestern. Iowa has to play Wisconsin, Minnesota and Nebby. Wisconsin must play Iowa, Nebraska and Minny. Anything can happen here including each team suffering another loss in league play.

 

[21ChampaignSt]

I’ve been the biggest proponent here (maybe 2nd to Gritty) about concentrating on the West and not getting lost in playoff talk.

But whatever your dream or goal, I absolutely feel you must capitalize immediately and strike while the iron is hot. One thousand little things must go right to win a championship, and dynastic building cannot be assumed.

Many thought the 80s Bears and 10s Cubs would win multiple titles (and thank goodness each got at least the one), but success was fleeting.

I wish the best for Bret here and I like what he’s doing, but there are no guarantees.

So do you think that this year will be our best chance under BB to make the CFP? To make the Rose Bowl?

My point is that yes, this sucks. I'm not in a great mood tonight because of it. But if BB is legit (I think he is) then we'll be back. Let's focus on the West for now. We'll be in discussions for Rose Bowl berths in the future. That's something that couldn't be said under our past 2 coaches.

 

[Battle89]

So do you think that this year will be our best chance under BB to make the CFP? To make the Rose Bowl?

My point is that yes, this sucks. I'm not in a great mood tonight because of it. But if BB is legit (I think he is) then we'll be back. Let's focus on the West for now. We'll be in discussions for Rose Bowl berths in the future. That's something that couldn't be said under our past 2 coaches.

We agree that Bret is legit. And most of the comparables I’ve seen in this forum are that we want to be Alvarez’s Wisconsin or Ferentz’s Iowa. 8 or 9 wins consistently and you get your statue built.

My point is that neither of those were CFP level programs, especially at 4 teams. Maybe on the fringe when there are 12 teams. So yes a part of me fears that this is as close as we get for a while. Would be ecstatic to be wrong, we will see.

 

[Saturdaze]

Saturdaze, who in the DIA hurt you? You've been on a crusade against them all year. Not saying you're wrong.. just curious.

I was just offended personally and on behalf of the entire fan base with the early season pleas for the fans to attend games, and the language Bielema and the DIA in general used. I don’t fault Bielema, he’s new, but the pleas for fan attention and attendance totally dismissed the incredible loyalty these teams have received in the past during terrible seasons, and the true cause for low attendance.

While the national media is writing things like this (below) about our fan base our own DIA is acting like the fans are just clueless and disinterested about the teams success.

Meanwhile in 2021 single game tickets were $20 for non-con, and $35 for conference games and were raised to $75 this season. My message to the DIA is don‘t even think about attributing attendance to anything other than the price increase. Instead of just owning and correcting their mistake they’ve played games with the pricing and release of tickets. Just respect the fans, their time, and their money, and the list all the tickets for sale at sellable prices and let fans choose their seats knowing that better seats won’t be released later, or that there will be another flash sale.

#32 Illinois $51.3 million
I’ve said it before: Based on what they have to watch, Illini fans are the most faithful in college football. How did UI make a $29M profit off a 2-10 season?

Which are the richest and poorest Power Five college football programs? Here are all 65, ranked bottom to top

For the first time, Penn State football amassed $100M in gross revenue in 2017-18, but where does that rank among the monetary heavy-hitters?

www.pennlive.com

 

[Illini2010-11]

Minnesota must still play Iowa, Wisconsin, and Northwestern. Iowa has to play Wisconsin, Minnesota and Nebby. Wisconsin must play Iowa, Nebraska and Minny. Anything can happen here including each team suffering another loss in league play.

Absolutely true. My primary point was that mathematically it is impossible to clinch West next week. That was the only primary downside of losing today...unless of course we really thought we had a chance at CFP.

Win 2 out of 3 (including next week as must, since Purdue only has Northwestern and Indiana left), then we can avoid any tiebreaker scenarios where we would need the above to happen. Of course, if Illini were to lose to Northwestern, then we don't belong in Indy anyway.

If Illini were to lose to Purdue, we MUST have at least a 3-way tie for first where Purdue would be eliminated via common record of tied teams, since they would hold primary tiebreaker over us, and PU would be favored in their remaining games. Miniscule likelihood, so next week is game of year for us.

 

[Saturdaze]

Double posts are taboo, but I‘m reminiscing of all the games in the past - hours driving, poor weather, sitting through 2nd halves in blowouts sympathizing with the players and especially seniors.

Now that the team is actually good the DIA decides to take up a “F them this is a numbers game, and we’re playing it“ attitude towards the fans? It’s not right, or least keep quiet about it.

 

[D1959]

It’s all good. We have the same amount of losses as Alabama

 

[thehass]

We are not as good as our ranking was but we are not as bad as todays performance was. regroup. Fix what went wrong and kick butt the rest of the season.

 

[SuperMetroid]

This was always the game we had to win anyway. We get a mulligan for today in the form of a 1-win NU team. Take care of business, go to Indy.

 

[Saturdaze]

Right. That's the point. BB is still building the foundation for his program, yet we lead the west.

The other point was that we've never been in the running for the cfp. So it probably feels like we have to capitalize this year. But there's no reason to think this is a flash in the pan. We can get back to this position in years to come.

I agree with that perspective, but it isn’t clear how much future success depends on Walters staying.

 

[Saturdaze]

Illinois Fans: All we ask is to go 7-5 every year, that would be massive success here, that would awaken the fanbase and sell out MS and change in-state recruiting and all the rest, we'd build a statue of a coach who could do that.

Also Illinois Fans: I'm devastated we've been knocked out of the CFP conversation, but I expect us to be there soon.

We’re chasing the CFP dragon now.

 

[jrichisamazing]

Is it fair to call this the biggest game for the program since tOSU in 2007?

And biggest game in Champaign since when?

 

[the national]

Right. That's the point. BB is still building the foundation for his program, yet we lead the west.

The other point was that we've never been in the running for the cfp. So it probably feels like we have to capitalize this year. But there's no reason to think this is a flash in the pan. We can get back to this position in years to come.

I truely mean this in the best way possible…I hope you are right. I said the same thing in 2001 and 2007, hell even in 2010. I think my old man muttered similar words in 1963, 1983, 1989. It’s a hard place to win. To paraphrase an Iowa State professor of mine back in 2007 debating weather I head out to Pasadena, “you have to go to the Rose bowl. People down in Champaign don’t even know what to do with a good football team. Maybe once a century this happens.” He was born in Champaign and graduated cum laude from U of I. After all the debate, I went to the Rose bowl .