Purdue 31, Illinois 24 Postgame

[Illini2010-11]

I don’t think this is completely true.

Assuming Illinois goes 1-1 next two weeks (and they could surprise us and beat Michigan!), Purdue has to lose to both NW and IU. Truthfully, I see us beating Michigan as more likely than than Purdue losing to both of them.

Along with Purdue needing to lose both, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota can’t win both of their remaining games.

We’re in a bad spot for winning the west, but I’m okay with it that. Beat Northwestern; win a bowl game.

Still a great season!

I believe the scenario laidout is correct. A 5 way tie in that scenario would elimate Purdue first via common record among tied teams. Illini would hold tiebreaker among the other teams. So Purdue would only need to lose one of the two games if what was laid out happens. Complicated but not impossible.

Again though, illini need to worry about their games. Let the rest fall where it may.

In any event, today hurts. But the sky is not falling.

 

[wma500]

I’d seriously like to know the background of these guys.

The head ref owns an insurance agency in Midland, MI. There's a nice Q&A of him out there, from his hometown newspaper, where he talks about working up the ranks, citing memorable assignments in Michigan HS football games, collegiate JV games on Monday afternoons, and D2 playoff games. He's been officiatig games for 26 years, and has worked the Mich/OSU game.

I don't know, my guess is his bio and experience reads like 100's of other officials in the Midwest, and particularly the Big Ten.

Illinois didn't lose today, or last week, or at Indiana, due to officiating. There are very really *football* reasons Illinois lost those games. And the 7 wins came via football reasons as well.

On to Michigan...great test, give it all you got, let's go.

 

[Illini in Italy]

Extremely disappointed with everyone associated with Illinois Football today.

Monumental, program altering let down. Other than post-Michigan game 2000, I can’t remember a more disappointing season in the history of this team.

Starting with Whitman, who is and will be the greatest AD in school history. Disappointed in how he props up his OC and DC after not even seeing a full season from the OC. Needs to be more Jim Crane and less Ron Guenther.

Bret Bielema: Poorly motivated program. Even more poorly disciplined team.

Ryan Walters. More time buying his own hype and listening to the back slappers.

Barry Looney Jr: Continued lack of creativity. Add another year to the extension after this game. Who says no?

Players: Will never criticize college kids so passing any judgement or criticism of our players. I’ll leave that to the Jared Gelfond/anonymous message board/Rob Rosenthal types.

Brian Barnhardt: Not getting it done on the radio any longer.

Gene Honda: Missing spots and calls left and right

Fans: Showing up late and leaving early all season. Deserve what the bowl committee has lined up.

Parking lot attendants: Not organized

Illinettes: No coordination , dated routines

Band and Barry Houser: Same ol song and dance since 1999.

Illinois Marketing Executive: How can the stadium be so quiet during the game? Why does it look as packed as 2015 vs Middle Tennessee St?

Michigan fan

 

[IlliniForceOne]

Extremely disappointed with everyone associated with Illinois Football today.

Monumental, program altering let down. Other than post-Michigan game 2000, I can’t remember a more disappointing season in the history of this team.

Starting with Whitman, who is and will be the greatest AD in school history. Disappointed in how he props up his OC and DC after not even seeing a full season from the OC. Needs to be more Jim Crane and less Ron Guenther.

Bret Bielema: Poorly motivated program. Even more poorly disciplined team.

Ryan Walters. More time buying his own hype and listening to the back slappers.

Barry Looney Jr: Continued lack of creativity. Add another year to the extension after this game. Who says no?

Players: Will never criticize college kids so passing any judgement or criticism of our players. I’ll leave that to the Jared Gelfond/anonymous message board/Rob Rosenthal types.

Brian Barnhardt: Not getting it done on the radio any longer.

Gene Honda: Missing spots and calls left and right

Fans: Showing up late and leaving early all season. Deserve what the bowl committee has lined up.

Parking lot attendants: Not organized

Illinettes: No coordination , dated routines

Band and Barry Houser: Same ol song and dance since 1999.

Illinois Marketing Executive: How can the stadium be so quiet during the game? Why does it look as packed as 2015 vs Middle Tennessee St?

You know that it was a tough day when the blame game reaches Gene Honda

 

[TheChief4Life]

I believe the scenario laidout is correct. A 5 way tie in that scenario would elimate Purdue first via common record among tied teams. Illini would hold tiebreaker among the other teams. So Purdue would only need to lose one of the two games if what was laid out happens. Complicated but not impossible.

Again though, illini need to worry about their games. Let the rest fall where it may.

In any event, today hurts. But the sky is not falling.

Oh weird. I hadn’t thought about a circular three (or more)-way tie having other rules first, THEN head-to-head tie breakers.

Thanks for bringing that to my attention!

 

[Illini in Italy]

 

[1970 John]

This is the play that changed the entire game.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1591500711745163264

Incredible. That’s offensive pass interference.

 

[BoiseBaller]

Or, remember your expectations for this season back in July.

Then fast forward to the worst outcome which will be 7-5 and a bowl game

Are you happy?

Expectations change as the season plays out.

I think it's okay to admit we've outperformed pre-season expectations but still stunk the last two weeks. Both easily winnable games. At home. And we laid an egg both times.

Yes, the refs stunk today. But so many things were self-inflicted. Biggest thing I've seen the last two weeks, too predictable on offensive play calling especially on first down. Lunney didn't do well. Secondly, no pressure on opposing QB's. Way too much time to throw. Not enough blitzes and stunts.

Basically, we were completely vanilla in play calling. And not great in execution of said play calling. Not ideal.

 

[Roundball Sage]

You cannot excel in any sports competition (or all of Life, for that matter) going about it without focus, dedication, and pride. And you cannot play scared or intimidated. We saw just about all of these things on display today and last week from the Illini.

In sports, your opponent can sense your fear. They can sense your lack of faith and belief in yourself. Your lack of swagger. They know when they are starting to get into your head and you start to forget about the game and care more about the trash-talking and foolish acts you do in retaliation when you are being baited. All of these are roads to ruin. And losses.

While this game was amazingly still quite winnable for a good stretch even with all the errors and bad approach... the Illini did not play with confidence and did not instill any fear and intimidation in their opponent. Purdue played with that confidence... walking into a hostile building with fans with high hopes and leaving the place with a pivotal win in their pocket and knowing that they got the Illini off their game and pushed them off the mountain.

Last week I made the comment that certain legacy programs have learned how to play in big games and are used to the spotlight and pressure. The Illini footballers clearly have a ways to go before they join into that group.

In contrast... The Illini roundballers will NOT be intimidated by anyone. They may lose some games but not their pride and swagger. They will be inflicting their will upon others and not the other way around.

'As it should be'...

 

[Clngpl94]

Anyone feel like something is going on behind the scenes? For a defense that has been playing lights out they've been lackluster the past couple weeks. Also noticed Walter's hasn't been very available for any media lately.

 

[Captain 14]

The head ref owns an insurance agency in Midland, MI. There's a nice Q&A of him out there, from his hometown newspaper, where he talks about working up the ranks, citing memorable assignments in Michigan HS football games, collegiate JV games on Monday afternoons, and D2 playoff games. He's been officiatig games for 26 years, and has worked the Mich/OSU game.

I don't know, my guess is his bio and experience reads like 100's of other officials in the Midwest, and particularly the Big Ten.

Illinois didn't lose today, or last week, or at Indiana, due to officiating. There are very really *football* reasons Illinois lost those games. And the 7 wins came via football reasons as well.

On to Michigan...great test, give it all you got, let's go.

ABSOLUTELY....nuttin to lose here!

 

[SAVAGE56OL]

Anyone feel like something is going on behind the scenes? For a defense that has been playing lights out they've been lackluster the past couple weeks. Also noticed Walter's hasn't been very available for any media lately.

I thought it was odd to see only 3 guys being sent to rush O'Connell for much of the game when the past couple weeks has shown O'Connell doesn't handle pressure well. It seemed like illinois was afraid of Perdue's passing ability and like a lovie defense was playing to prevent rather than attacking. Defense was weak and timid, they need that testosterone back. Feed em trenbologna sandwiches.

 

[Mr. Roberts]

I thought it was odd to see only 3 guys being sent to rush O'Connell for much of the game when the past couple weeks has shown O'Connell doesn't handle pressure well. It seemed like illinois was afraid of Perdue's passing ability and like a lovie defense was playing to prevent rather than attacking. Defense was weak and timid, they need that testosterone back. Feed em trenbologna sandwiches.

Bingo. Way too much time to sit and look and wait. O'connell was hit exactly once. And I don't even want to talk about his TWO read option runs for 35 yards.

 

[TheChief4Life]

I thought it was odd to see only 3 guys being sent to rush O'Connell for much of the game when the past couple weeks has shown O'Connell doesn't handle pressure well. It seemed like illinois was afraid of Perdue's passing ability and like a lovie defense was playing to prevent rather than attacking. Defense was weak and timid, they need that testosterone back. Feed em trenbologna sandwiches.

To be fair.... the few times we did bring pressure to O'Connell, he literally threw perfect passes to where there was less coverage due the pressure. In all honesty, I just don't think the defense played well today. I wouldn't put much of this loss on Walter's coaching. The players had a very bad game.

 

[SAVAGE56OL]

To be fair.... the few times we did bring pressure to O'Connell, he literally threw perfect passes to where there was less coverage due the pressure. In all honesty, I just don't think the defense played well today. I wouldn't put much of this loss on Walter's coaching. The players had a very bad game.

Yeah I have more issue with Lunny needing to call delayed handoffs up the gut over and over when everyone knows the interior line is a weakness. 1. It gives Chase no momentum to hit a lane hard. 2. If you have a weak interior you run outside zones. Seeing that same delayed inside run over and over really makes me angry that he gets paid to call plays

 

[The Sprouting Divot]

Have we heard anything about whether Chase is okay?

 

[pruman91]

Have we heard anything about whether Chase is okay?

Not to my knowledge.................The only thing I've seen is the video of Chase and Sydney walking off the field together.....Chase walked off without help , but hard to tell how much pain he was in .......

 

[purcy51]

Should have put them in the PARKING LOT

FIFY

 

[Dan]

Also noticed Walter's hasn't been very available for any media lately.

Walters did the game week Monday press conference per usual.

Have we heard anything about whether Chase is okay?

Bielema: Don't know anything about Chase Brown's injury. via

 

[Navy_illini]

Listen to BU on how it is to win a conference (in this case division title). It is hard

Our team is good but BB still needs to build his culture. We are in year 2 of a harder rebuild than what BU had to do

I am happy that there are meaningful Illini football games in November and we are frustrated by a highly competitive game we should have won. This is far from our ceiling

 

[TheChief4Life]

One other thing I'd like to say while it's still true (honestly, I'm aware next week's game may drastically change this). Say what you want about how upsetting the games have been the past two weeks, but even with those two games included, Illinois has entered the 4th quarter ahead or tied in every game except one this year. They've lost every game they've lost by one score, and had a chance late in two of the three games to tie the score (however slim those chances were). The Illini have played in some of the most exciting games I've attended in the past decade. People have stayed to the end of every game (the talk about people leaving with like a minute left tonight aren't fair; fans stayed until about 1:04 left in the game). BB is doing wonderful things. He's trying to make Illini prominent, and it may be the toughest jobs in college football today.

This is NOT the "Illini of old". We say it because there are times it feels like it, but there is really no statistical or even "eye-test" that seems to indicate that.

Anyway, on to Michigan!

 

[DocMorgan]

At the game today. Have not and will not watch the game on tape because I do not want to have a stroke. Also have not read any comments on this site. This was by far the worst set of officials I have ever seen. Brutal. The BS PI call on Spoon changed the entire complexity of the game. We did plenty wrong, but I will blame the officials for this loss.

 

[redwingillini11]

This game made me quite sad today.

 

[Clngpl94]

Walters did the game week Monday press conference per usual.
Bielema: Don't know anything about Chase Brown's injury. via

That's about it for media availability, it just seems something is "off" after the last couple weeks. The defense has definitely regressed not progressed...

 

[Birdus]

While its disappointing how we got to 7-3, we are still 7-3 and it's still a huge step for the program.

Keep the Michigan game respectable, beat NW and win a bowl game against reasonable competition, not Alabama.

I don't think we have to worry about Alabama. Since they won today, they will probably be in a higher tier bowl.