I’m just hoping for atleast 2-2 going into West Lafayette and than seeing what happens after that.
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Pregame: Illinois vs Penn State, Saturday, September 16th, 11:00am CT, FOX
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Classic Loyalty going off the edge after our first loss (to a good team in a tough road environment). Call me crazy, but I really think this one will be much closer than tonight’s game.
If both lines don't get straightened out in the next 7 days, this is going to be fugly.
Come back inside where it’s safe (playing BIG West teams).
Illini4Chief
- TENNESSEE
This is gonna be ugly....With our no defense scheme, coupled with the stupid penalties....I expect Penn State to score 50+ points.
IlliniFanHere
- New York
IF we gave up 500+ yards to Kansas......then with our D, just can't see us staying within 2 touchdowns.
Serious question, and I'm not trying to be argumentative. But did you watch the game? We did not look like we even belonged on the same field with KU for most of the game. That is extremely concerning going into the next one against a team that is clearly better than KU.
In theory, we match up a lot better with them than we do against either Toledo or Kansas. It's why I liked this as an upset before the season started. That said, winning this game starts with stopping the run and getting some movement on the offensive line, and both of those have been a real weakness for us these first 2 games. PSU isn't a team like Kansas or Toledo that will keep you guessing what they're going to do- they're very straightforward and methodical. And that's help us for sure as our linebackers have struggled with play recognition. That said, you still need to have proper positioning, good tackling, win some 1 on 1 battles, and then make the play. Something we haven't been able to do. Just not sure we'll be able to get all that together in a week...
As such, I can't be as optimistic as I once was in this one. PSU should win this one going away unless Bret can find an answer to these issues, and to do it in 8 days... I just don't know, it seems like too big of an ask.
I'm thinking we're aspiring to be a middling B1G team . . .
One of the all time great Super Bowl Commercials IMHO .. .
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ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
I don't mean the way the team plays, I mean the team's self-image.
These guys are nowhere near as good as they think they are, and that needs to flip.
Yeah, seems they drank way too much off-season Kool Aid.
If so, that was on BB to correct.
Illinivek23
- Gurnee
Perhaps pay to play will flip to play then pay at some point in the future. For all CFB, that is.
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
I've seen enough: Henderson needs to start, Crisler back to guard. Yeah, starting a true frosh is not ideal, but the status quo is unacceptable.
TentakilRex
- Land O Insects between Quincy-Macomb-Jacksonville
Maybe a linebackers'? I'd be tempted to run 3-3-5 personnel with one of the safeties being a S/LB hybrid
Yeah, I don't think we have much of any other choice unless Henderson really really isn't ready and the coaching staff is concerned that throwing him out there might get someone killed on every other play. This really isn't Zy's fault as he's trying but he absolutely can't play the Tackle position. This is one of those situations where I'm not sure why the coaching staff wasn't able to recognize this earlier and put in place another plan, unless Zy at RT truly is our best option, in which case, good lord, and we needed to do anything we could to bring in a stopgap transfer at that position.
Makes me think the coaching staff going into this season thought 1 of Crisler or Gesky would be able to make the jump to RT but neither did, and not only that, neither has the ability to do so. Looks like a bit of a misevaluation
illini80
- Forgottonia
I think you have to have some swagger, but that can’t mean you don’t play with an edge that you want to crush your opponent every down. It’s a fine line Illinois hasn’t learned over the course of many years. We don’t look like we have that nastiness Bret often talks about. I think they will find guys that do, but they may or may not be the most talented. If the freshman have it, but aren’t quite ready, I’m fine letting them learn on the job.
This.
We've got a long way to go. I'm counting on our coaching staff getting things straightened out. Lots for them to work with. So yes, more of the same equals 2 or 3 additional wins. Straighten it out and 6-8.
Probably Bush
Illinifan533
- Normal, Illinois
At this point I'm hoping for a similar trajectory as 2021. Defense looked bad the first 3 games that year before settling in, just hope the offense can at least be an average unit to get us to 6-7 wins.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
@IlliniInBuckeyeState Is there an assumption built in to the sellout tracker for no shows? 
Jk, I know it’s tickets sold.
I’m still optimistic for a fun atmosphere in Champaign, and watching CU/Nebraska makes me excited to have our stadium featured on Big Noon Kickoff. Let’s at least put on a show for the country until kickoff!
Jk, I know it’s tickets sold.I’m still optimistic for a fun atmosphere in Champaign, and watching CU/Nebraska makes me excited to have our stadium featured on Big Noon Kickoff. Let’s at least put on a show for the country until kickoff!
illinifan4249
- Space Coast, FL
Hope we come out amped out for this one after watching Big Noon showcase Champaign and Grange Grove for 2 hours. I think deferring and getting the defense on the field first and coming up with a big stop would be a great way to start the game.
With FOX Big Noon Kickoff coming to Champaign next Saturday, does that mean Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt will be our announcers for the Penn State game? I'm really enjoying their broadcast of Colorado-Nebraska and how impartial they are. The announcers we have had the first 2 weeks, in my humble opinion, were not impartial and were just not good. The announcers can make a game so much better.
Illinois was playing so poorly last night that I did not even notice the announcers. In week one, I know that some were complaining abour Matt Millen, but I thought his comments were insightful. I much prefer the Big 10 network announcers, because they actually know the league. As a Cardinal fan, I mute most Bally broadcasts, because I cannot stand Brad Thompson. I know that is a minority opinion when you read Cardinal fan pages.
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