Pregame: Illinois at Kansas, Friday, September 8th, 6:30pm CT, ESPN2

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#51      
BZuppke
It’s a game that mostly spells an Illini loss - early season road game against a decent opponent, great QB etc. But here’s hoping.

It may come down to how we match up against them. Regardless of the outcome here - beating PedU at home will make this game insignificant.
 
#53      
phats22
BlueFlag said:
Hmmmm,

A running quarterback with a bad back, shoulder issues ...

Maybe Luke Altmyer shouldn't so much.
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He just needs to learn to get down earlier sometimes. I appreciate he took hits to gain yards but it's going to catch up with him at some point
 
#54      
So ILL
NoRival said:
We need to get the run game going. We certainly do not need a shootout against KU in a road game. A strong run game will wear down the defense and provide even more opportunities for us. We cannot leave our D on the field too long. Granted the penalties kept them out there too long last night. That must get better.

I would love to see one of other other RBs step up (like Feagin or Laughery). McCray was not where I hoped he would be and Love was ok. We cannot continue to have our QB as our leading rusher.

My prediction:

ILLINOIS 31
KANSAS 28

Just win!
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Agreed we need more from the run game, but are we sure that McCray is as good as everyone builds him up to be?

Yes, he has had some big games in 2021: 24/156 against Purdue and 24/142 against Pen State for a 6.20 yard average.

But take those games out and he is 94/337 for a 3.58 average. And its not like its a small sample size either. That is over 14 games and in 8 of those games, he had 7 or more carries and hit double digits in carries twice. As a matter of fact, the good games we base our assumptions off of are actually the small sample size.

I would love to see McCray take off from here as I will never root against a kid, but facts are facts and maybe Bielema’s offseason hype around Feagin actually means something with Anderson hurt 🤷‍♂️
 
#55      
TheDrinkinLincoln
So ILL said:
Agreed we need more from the run game, but are we sure that McCray is as good as everyone builds him up to be?

Yes, he has had some big games in 2021: 24/156 against Purdue and 24/142 against Pen State for a 6.20 yard average.

But take those games out and he is 94/337 for a 3.58 average. And its not like its a small sample size either. That is over 14 games and in 8 of those games, he had 7 or more carries and hit double digits in carries twice. As a matter of fact, the good games we base our assumptions off of are actually the small sample size.

I would love to see McCray take off from here as I will never root against a kid, but facts are facts and maybe Bielema’s offseason hype around Feagin actually means something with Anderson hurt 🤷‍♂️
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McCray showed lots of potential but since his injury he doesn't seem to break the arm tackles/drive his legs through the hit like he did as a freshman. I think he might be playing a bit scared or more conservative to avoid the injury. I'm hoping as the season goes on he regains his balance and leg drive.
 
#56      
Mr. Tibbs
with Anderson out, we may start seeing Fedenza , Feagin or Laughery get some touches real soon
 
#62      
Old.Edgy
DeonThomas said:
Our two toughest games of the first six are in week #2 (@KU) and week #3 (PSU). We will definitely play better than we did in the opener, but will it be good enough to win our first difficult road test of the season. The realist in me says NO. We really need better LINE play on both sides of the ball.

KU -- 34
ILL -- 28

Kansas covers.

(I'm turning pessimist, but if the Illini do happen to win, it will make this coming weekend's road trip all the more enjoyable! I really want a shot at Penn State in week #3 with both teams 2-0 and ranked in the Top 25!)
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It's hard to shake off the memories of the past 2-3 decades for sure.... But I'm trying hard...
 
#64      
New Creation
So ILL said:
Agreed we need more from the run game, but are we sure that McCray is as good as everyone builds him up to be?

Yes, he has had some big games in 2021: 24/156 against Purdue and 24/142 against Pen State for a 6.20 yard average.

But take those games out and he is 94/337 for a 3.58 average. And its not like its a small sample size either. That is over 14 games and in 8 of those games, he had 7 or more carries and hit double digits in carries twice. As a matter of fact, the good games we base our assumptions off of are actually the small sample size.

I would love to see McCray take off from here as I will never root against a kid, but facts are facts and maybe Bielema’s offseason hype around Feagin actually means something with Anderson hurt 🤷‍♂️
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I would take 3.58 yards a carry and never pass the ball lol.. That is a touchdown every drive. Whats the problem here? :)
 
#66      
skyIdub
To be fair to our OL....when you line up shotgun every damn play spread out single back, you put so much pressure on run blocking.
Love is a potential HR back that I would love to see 1v1 against the one guy not tied up by 2 TE's and a blocking back.

Give 9 players a hat to block and let Reggie make one or two guys miss.

Luke looks like he could handle some PAP QB....and we have a HR WR IW just waiting to fake run block and disappear over the top.

Maybe we don't have the personnel? IDK the details, but if I'm a coach in that room I'm making strong suggestions.
 
#68      
Illinir1
Dan said:

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I REALLY like our Coach after watching both of these pressers. Night and day difference in confidence and positive projection. Coach Leipold has done a great job at Kansas and will be a big challenge in this game, but if I were being recruited by these two coaches.....no question it's Orange and Blue.
 
#69      
Wooderson
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#74      
Chukwuwumba
One concern for the defense dating back to last year is a dual threat qb. Tanner Morgan?? Was the best dual threat qb last year maybe? Big West just doesn’t have dual threats. Olbs can sell out on the run, but seem to have issues on zone read. New position coach doesn’t have experience with that either.
Finn gave issues, Daniels or Kansas qb will too. Have to figure out how to handle dual threat qb with this defense. Didn’t work out well vs Toledo.
 
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