Pregame: Illinois vs Northwestern, Saturday, November 25th, 2:30pm CT, BTN

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#102      

redwingillini11

redwingillini11
White and Sixth
North Aurora
redwingillini11
Ander1345 said:
How crazy of a thought is it that Braun might just be a good coach? Have we considered that?
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If this happens, and Northwestern doesn't have to suffer any down years and just reloads with a guy for the next 20 years, then this is Favre to Rodgers 2.0 and just about the most unfair thing I could imagine as an Illinois fan. We need to find a way to establish a clear pecking order that Bielema-era Illinois > Braun-era Northwestern. It starts on Saturday.
 
#103      

Illiniam1984

I
Illiniam1984
RockfordIllini said:
We’ve been decent at running the ball but we are about out of running backs. I don’t think Reggie is 100% and I just don’t think he has 25+ carries in him. So I think we have to pass based purely on attrition.
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There is a chance that Aiden Laughery comes back this week. BB mentioned it in the presser. If that happens, we will probably see split time between Love, Laughery and Fedanzo to balance the workload.
 
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#104      

illiniwil

I
illiniwil
altgeld88 said:
This probably belongs in the Fitz-NW thread but since the OP posted here I'll respond here.

I question the cause-and-effect inference. What indicates that the Illini team bonded insufficiently via enduring the same trials that all other teams weather as the players practice, play, socialize together, and develop? Or that hazing has a positive long-term effect on team dynamics superior to arduous practices and playing in the trenches together.

I understand the in-group psychological bonding that hazing promotes. However, it went on for a long while at NW and didn't prevent them from having some execrable teams. It's a feat to perpetuate 1-11 seasons, and unreasonable to expect that they would have done so. My amateur guess last August was that they'd struggle to get three wins. I was wrong but then again I knew little about their personnel.

What seems clearer to me than the "hazing yields positive benefits" hypothesis is that the dethroning of Fitz, and the disparagement of the team and the program, on the brink of camp last summer, shocked the team and created and us-and-them mentality far superior in effect to what hazing yields. I liken this effect to Bo Schembechler showing up in 1969 in Ann Arbor, taking over a mediocre team, and subjecting his players through a preseason boot camp sufficiently hellish that many quit. Those who remained went on to dethrone reigning national champ (and undefeated) OSU in what was at the time considered the upset of the century.

The August shock that NW suffered, and adding more experience to what was a terrible team last year (plus portal additions), likely explains NW's record this season. Not the years-long institutional effects of hazing. I haven't examined their roster so will leave it to those who have to refute my assumption.
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ive asked this before, but someone tell me please how the entire assistant staff kept their jobs at Northwestern?
they should have all been thrown out, and maybe any player i.d.'d as taking part.
 
#107      

zentrails

Z
zentrails
Illiniam1984 said:
There is a chance that Aiden Laughery comes back this week. BB mentioned it in the presser. If that happens, we will probably see split time between Love, Laughery and Fedanzo to balance the workload.
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Not saying you are wrong, but didn't he recently have surgery on something?
 
#108      

pruman91

pruman91
Paducah, Ky
pruman91
Poe's Law said:
How can you be sure they aren’t parody posters?
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Yeah , man.......................
 
#110      

Mr. Tibbs

Mr. Tibbs
southeast DuPage
Mr. Tibbs
zentrails said:
Not saying you are wrong, but didn't he recently have surgery on something?
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pretty sure it was a tear, cleaned up by arthroscopic surgery on his meniscus.
I had that done 10 years ago at age 52. it went well but I didnt feel like running for quite awhile
But its possible a young guy could be "okay" after 4 weeks. Not sure why they would take a chance tho, this soon.
 
#113      

Illinivek23

Illinivek23
Gurnee
Illinivek23
Illiniam1984 said:
There is a chance that Aiden Laughery comes back this week. BB mentioned it in the presser. If that happens, we will probably see split time between Love, Laughery and Fedanzo to balance the workload.
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How about using Johnny in short yardage? And having some packages for Hayden?...no knock on Bobak and the other defensive walking who might get pressed into service for some carries.

We need to win this game. NU friends think we can't beat them
 
#115      

DeonThomas

DeonThomas
South Carolina
DeonThomas
Final regular season prognostication:

Illini - 24
NW - 31

9-2 predicting the winner season-to-date; 6-5 against the spread.

I have a total lack of confidence as this game approaches.
- all of the pressure is on the good guys
- It's a must-win for us
- The Cats will be playing totally loose, with their Bowl game already locked-up
- We're favored to win
- We're playing at home
- Stadium will be only half-full
- We're short at RB due to injuries
 
#117      

GrayGhost77

GrayGhost77
Centennial, CO
GrayGhost77
DeonThomas said:
Final regular season prognostication:

Illini - 24
NW - 31

9-2 predicting the winner season-to-date; 6-5 against the spread.

I have a total lack of confidence as this game approaches.
- all of the pressure is on the good guys
- It's a must-win for us
- The Cats will be playing totally loose, with their Bowl game already locked-up
- We're favored to win
- We're playing at home
- Stadium will be only half-full
- We're short at RB due to injuries
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Seems about right. The Football Gods have to keep our streak open of following up every good to great season with a losing one alive. It's the most Illinois outcome.
 
#120      

KnoxIllini2

KnoxIllini2
KnoxIllini2
DeonThomas said:
Final regular season prognostication:

Illini - 24
NW - 31

9-2 predicting the winner season-to-date; 6-5 against the spread.

I have a total lack of confidence as this game approaches.
- all of the pressure is on the good guys
- It's a must-win for us
- The Cats will be playing totally loose, with their Bowl game already locked-up
- We're favored to win
- We're playing at home
- Stadium will be only half-full
- We're short at RB due to injuries
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Deon, my friend, you’re talking to us all wrong, baby. We’re the ones coming out loosey goosey, have you been near a pissed off goose?!

And don’t any of y’all talk no stuff about the Canadian goose.

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Deon, I know you’re just a messenger here and doing a kickass job of prognostication throughout the season, but no way in heck do I want you hitting double digit dubbyas this weekend.
 
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