What's frustrating is it is the approval of the CASUAL fan - and perhaps even the "lapsed" fan (i.e., someone who might "like the Illini" but has stopped following our football program over the last several years - that we need onboard to truly build on last year. And starting 1-2 right before the weather turns colder might just keep some fans who are on the fence away from Memorial Stadium, and improved attendance is something we desperately need as a program, IMO.
There is absolutely a realistic scenario where Toledo is good, Kansas is good and PSU is elite, and our 1-2 start doesn't prohibit us from an 8-win season! However, I think if we get blown out Saturday, a lot of people will sort of doom this season to a "step back," even if we string together some wins in the Big Ten West. Most die-hards will see the significance of back-to-back bowl seasons, but they're already onboard; we need to continue to build our brand with lapsed alumni and instate fans who don't want to invest unless it appears "for real." And I think to not lose ground here, we have to at least come out fired up and give PSU a game - win or lose. Playing Penn State to the wire in front of a raucous crowd (and the game will NEED to be somewhat close if the crowd is to be a factor!) is not a bad look, even if we lose. But a blowout might sink momentum for this season.
Needless to say, a win totally flips the script!