Michigan 19, Illinois 17 Postgame
Not hiding his thoughts or feelings. Love it.
just jumping in here, so these thoughts may have already been discussed. First, where was this offensive game plan the last two weeks? enough variety and imagination to keep Michigan off balance would have been wins against Purdue and MSU. Second, I didn't have too much problem with the refs today, but the PI on Witherspoon was nearly identical to the no call a few series earlier when the Illinois receiver had his arm hooked.
Edit. Meant the playcalling up to the last few series.
Edit. Meant the playcalling up to the last few series.
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They say in Life there are only two things you can count on... death and taxes.
Well, there’s a third thing. A football team with a lead of less than 3 points as the game is closing down gets the ball and plays scared and runs the ball into the line for 3 plays for almost no gain. Then they punt. Then the other team always marches down the field and wins the game at the end.
What is it with so many football coaches that they don’t see this? With all the film they have and all the metrics and they STILL do the same thing of playing ‘safe’ and insuring defeat.
Make a first down and you win. How hard is that? Because if you don’t throw the ball to get that first down (since the D expects you to run, run, run!) you are guaranteed to LOSE. And if you turn it over? So what? If you don't make that first down you're going to lose anyway.
The Illini program could have rocked the football World today. There was a tremor. But you don’t rock anything if you play scared.
Well, there’s a third thing. A football team with a lead of less than 3 points as the game is closing down gets the ball and plays scared and runs the ball into the line for 3 plays for almost no gain. Then they punt. Then the other team always marches down the field and wins the game at the end.
What is it with so many football coaches that they don’t see this? With all the film they have and all the metrics and they STILL do the same thing of playing ‘safe’ and insuring defeat.
Make a first down and you win. How hard is that? Because if you don’t throw the ball to get that first down (since the D expects you to run, run, run!) you are guaranteed to LOSE. And if you turn it over? So what? If you don't make that first down you're going to lose anyway.
The Illini program could have rocked the football World today. There was a tremor. But you don’t rock anything if you play scared.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
God, I love Bret. Hope he knows this fan base has his back 110% and we believe in what he’s building!
The mix of run and pass works great against everyone (we have the best combination of QB +recievers that we've had in YEARS). The run-it-down-their-throat game works great against teams with less talent. But it doesn't work against a team like Michigan.
For all the rocket scientists complaining about the offensive play calling and calling for Lunney’s head, I invite you to find a better Illinois OC in say . . . The last 40 F****N years . . . go ahead . . . I’ll wait.
Great effort by the team, so questionable (horrible) calls by the refs, and we came up just a little short. I’m proud of the team, they certainly gave their all. I L L
Great effort by the team, so questionable (horrible) calls by the refs, and we came up just a little short. I’m proud of the team, they certainly gave their all. I L L
the national
- the Front Range
It’s hard not get emotional watching him fight through this. Coach, we have your back. We support you (and the team).
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
Mike Locksley?
Uh oh, Dad is pissed.
the national
- the Front Range
Well, the Illini were 18-30 from 2005-2008, and the results under Locks were
2005 (2-9)
Offensive Scoring 11th out of 11 B1G teams
Passing Offense 11th put of 11
Rushing Offense 10th of 11
Total offense 10th of 11
2006 (2-10)
Scoring Offense 10th of 11
Passing Offense 11th of 11
Rushing Offense 1st of 11
Total Offense 9th of 11
2007 (9-4)
Scoring Offense 7th of 11
Passing Offense 11th of 11
Rushing Offense 1st of 11
Total Offense 3rd of 11
2008 (5-7)
Scoring Offense 3rd of 11
Passing Offense 1st of 11
Rushing Offense 5th of 11
Total Offense 2nd of 11
so I guess I’d say “maybe”, but let’s see how the next few years work out.
I Googled "Michigan Football Refs" after the game, and the twitterverse agrees - Michigan was gifted a win. Too much money at stake to let them lose.
Which is why we should have played aggressive when we had the ball.
Which is why we should have played aggressive when we had the ball.
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
We had pretty good offenses under Mike White, too, and Dahlquist in the Mackovic years. Lunney needs to prove himself a few more years in P5 to say he's at those levels.
And that was . . . 30-40 frikin’ years ago
Only if clamping it between your wrists with no finger contact is a catch. Receivers don’t need hands?
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
You said in the last 40 (f***n) years, so I named 3. Lunney has been...okay so far. Not great, but okay. Conservative playcalling probably cost us two wins this season, but of course our run game (Chase) has been spectacular, while our passing game has been acceptable but unadventurous. Locks had some really good offenses with Juice, Mendenhall, Ford, Dufresne, Hooman, Cumberland, Benn, etc. Even Petrino did with LeShoure, GMo, Jenkins, etc. Kittner/Lloyd/Young/Harvey in the Turner years were some great offenses. And I think we all know what we had back in the day with Dave Wilson, Trudeau, Eason, Verduzco, and Jeff George. We weren't even close to those this year. Here's hoping that changes as Lunney get's more of "his" guys (a top QB to replace Tommy, a top receiver like Elzy, and a top RB to replace Brown, plus quality OL replacements).
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
My biggest gripe with officials in last 3 minutes was calling holding on Illinois on 3rd down, but not calling the clear illegal pick play on Mich 4th down. The pass interference on Illinois a play later was correct call, but they did not call that contact all game (see Mich one arm pull on Illini pass a couple drives earlier).
For Illini, if holding wasn't called, it would have been 4th and less than 1 yd, which I think Illini would have gone for it with QB sneak, which essentially would have ended game. The correct call was made though.
However, they should have likewise made the correct call on 4th down for Mich and called offensive PI to make 4th and 20.
Both of these plays should have had flags (and were clear as day), but only one did...both went Michigan's way. Overall, a well officiated game, but when push came to shove, the calls went the way of the darling child when it mattered most. That is disappointing, and I am glad Coach B is finally calling it out.
For Illini, if holding wasn't called, it would have been 4th and less than 1 yd, which I think Illini would have gone for it with QB sneak, which essentially would have ended game. The correct call was made though.
However, they should have likewise made the correct call on 4th down for Mich and called offensive PI to make 4th and 20.
Both of these plays should have had flags (and were clear as day), but only one did...both went Michigan's way. Overall, a well officiated game, but when push came to shove, the calls went the way of the darling child when it mattered most. That is disappointing, and I am glad Coach B is finally calling it out.
Count me as one of the people who missed the significance of this in real time. It happened fast, and the TV broadcast crew certainly didn’t call attention to it.
I have a sick feeling in my stomach thinking how all four of our losses there was at least one crucial officiating lapse that might genuinely have affected the outcome of each of those games. The non-TD TD catch vs Indiana. The 10 extra timeouts Michigan State was permitted by obviously faking injuries with no consequence. The phantom DPI on Witherspoon that erased a pick and gifted Purdue 7 points. And now this egregious pick play non-call on 4th down. Every loss. It’s infuriating and gutting.
But I will say it makes me respect even more the determination and heart of this team, the players, the coaches. Every step in the road this year has been steeply uphill into blinding winds. But these guys have no quit. And it starts at the top. I have issues with a few things, and I always willl. But the football culture that Bielema has built? No complaints here. None at all.
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Sooo.... Michigan scores ONE touchdown and beats the Illini. What a great effort by our defense! Not so much by our offense. And the false starts are driving me CRAZY!
Once again Looney's offense stumbles. Run Brown if short lets pass. Why not get your fingers in the dirt diagram plays with bottle caps and sticks! Would work better!
I'm having trouble shaking this one. Forget the missed OPI on 4th and 3 that was clearly missed. What about the catch that was reviewed, where the nose of the football clearly hit the ground and the ball moved? I'm not picking on older people, but are there older gentleman running the replay booth? I'm being totally serious. What are the qualifications for the replay booth, do they undergo an eye exam, football rules, exam, etc? There seems to be clear incompetence at times, and my mind is having trouble understanding... not that it would have mattered much, but an extra 5 yds for a FG you never know.
I think we do seem to get hosed by the officials, and I do think we played that last drive of the game just terrible.
That being said, I believe Illinois has found their “career” coach in BB. The guy can coach (even with the 1950’s approach to the game on that last drive), and we play hard nosed disciplined football. In my 60 + years as a fan, I have not said that very many times. BB is a tremendous hire and if he never takes us beyond a great 9-2 or 10-1 year is sort of irrelevant.
Illinois is a basketball school, always has been and always will be. I have enjoyed college football this year very much. Normally I am just thinking college football is fun to watch until the Illini hoops starts.
Thanks Illini football, you play hard and this year has been a blast to watch them.