Michigan overlooks Illinois
21
scUM 17
21scUM 17
Pregame: Illinois at Michigan, Saturday, November 19th, 11:00am CT, ABC
- Status
My only trip to there was in the late 70's or early 80s. If memory serves (there was a lot of alcohol involved) the Illini went up 21-14 and my buddies and I were getting mouthy in the stands. Ended up losing 63-21, with Bo clearing the bench in the second half. Michigan fans were pretty gentle with us ("better to be pitied than scorned"), considering how obnoxious we were early.
First time I had end zone seats, and got to appreciate watching holes open and seeing passing routes develop.
Was at the Big House in 2008 to see Juice light them up. Went with my brother-in-law and his friends, who are all big Michigan fans. As much as I dislike UM football (largely due to Bo), the fans are generally pretty nice.
I have found the Michigan fans that travel are much different than the Michigan fans in AA.
PizzaHutParkingLot
- McPherson, KS
So you're telling me there's a chance??
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
Agreed.
I attended the 2001 Illini loss in Ann Arbor with my brother (a Michigan alum). Wore my Illinois sweatshirt. Fans were generally nice. On the way out, however, a guy saw my sweatshirt and was fairly unkind about the game's outcome. I took it, smiled, and said "well, you got to enjoy a single football victory; I'm looking forward to doubling my pleasure when we crush you in basketball this winter." He didn't see that coming. To his credit, he laughed and said "Ouch!" That was a time when Michigan's basketball program had hit the skids in the wake of Brian Ellerbee.
We beat them by 24 in Champaign that January and by 8 in Ann Arbor in Feb. Michigan finished 10th out of 11 BT teams.
The most recent game I attended in Memorial Stadium was in 2000 v. Michigan (agian, with my brother.) The ESPN Saturday night game when we got jobbed by the refs and lost. The travelling UM fans were tools. I'll never forget walking down the ramps from the west balcony to exit the stadium while they sang "Isn't It Great To Be A Michigan Wolverine" with great spirit. My brother was embarrassed.
Complete tools.
I would be excited about this game if the defense hadn't collapsed the last two weeks (penalties being a main problem). I see a Michigan blowout, but College Football News sees it closer. Of course they picked our beloved to win he last two weeks too. The offense has to open up a bit and make room for some runs and the D can't let Michigan run like they did against Penn State (400 yards).
I was at that game too. As I recall, this was the first game Illinois had faced Michigan since they had fired Gary Moeller, who had subsequently been rehired by Bo. As you said, we had a 21-14 lead and was going to score again until Eason was intercepted in the end zone. Bo then poured it on and didn't let up the rest of the game as a little revenge for Moeller. If he brought in the second string he didn't do it until the end of the game.
3 point girl
- texas
Moeller might have been the worst Illinois FB coach in our history.
BZuppke
- Plainfield
I think whatever we’ve been saving - blitzes/offensive trick plays etc - use them. Go unconventional on them and leave it all on the field. If we’re going to lose as predicted let’s hold nothing back.
I remember one year Morris playing Joliet Catholic for the State title. Morris was the inferior team, but they came out with a very unconventional offense (polecat) and kept the game very close.
I remember one year Morris playing Joliet Catholic for the State title. Morris was the inferior team, but they came out with a very unconventional offense (polecat) and kept the game very close.
BZuppke
- Plainfield
Beckman might be right up there. Illinois’ problems have been never hiring the right head coach since Mike White until now
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
... and yet he turned out to be one of Michigan's best head coaches. Formidable recruiter and game coach. Go figure. Reminds me of Belichick coaching the Browns. He certainly didn't look like a hall-of-famer then.
None of Beckman's teams played a 0-0 tie against Northwestern though.
The only thing Moeller loved more than a tie was Grand Mariner and coffee.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
Thank you. That made me laugh out loud for the first time today.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
BillyBob1
- Champaign
I remember listening to that game. I had to go to a wedding and shut the radio off when Illinois was just about to score to go up 28-14. Well, that didn’t happen and I heard the final later and just heard the score first. I thought, OMG, they killed Michigan. Then I heard Michigan had won. Bummer!
SampsonRelpenk
- Edwardsville, IL
Almost got into a fight with a grown man as a 14 year old walking out of the game in 2007. He kept chirping about the outcome and said “Who you guys got next week? Ball State? You should beat them at least” to which I responded “At least they’re 1A!”
Moeller was at UIUC when I was a student there then I lived in Cleveland during the Belichick years.
Moleface was worse but not by much
Was curious what Bucknuts forum had to say in their discussion about this game. They are eager for us to add to Michigan's injury woes and at least play them into the 4th quarter. It turns out Michigan's offensive line is beat up somewhat and they are battling injuries like everyone else. Corum is dinged up too but of course he will play. My opinion is that Dinich did not do us a favor by her infamous Upset Alert's. That gives Harbaugh board material and motivation. That being said, no one is giving us a realistic chance to win this game. I like this scenario. I guess this is why they play the games.
Contrarian that I am, I kinda had a soft spot liked Moeller. If I remember right, we did a hurry-up offense for a bit, and it impressed me that he was willing to try something unconventional (VERY unconventional at that time) to give our boys a chance.
Thanks or reminding me about the end zone interception.
I couldn't remember if we were up two scores or not, and that was it: we were that pick away from being up two scores.- Status