Bowl Projections

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#51      
Battle89
Just further illustrates the gulf between the SEC and the B1G, at least after the first couple teams.

I understand the bowl game scenario frustration, I do. Spending a month post-season looking forward to getting annihilated by Alabama or Georgia on or about New Years Day is disheartening and sucks all the fun out of the bowl season, at least from an Illini perspective. I would prefer a competitive game too.

However the above disenchantment is much less than the feelings that would be generated by a 7-5 or (god forbid but it's still on the table) 6-6 finish. That would kill recruiting and damage the program far more than any bowl game scenario.

In other words, I already know that Illinois cannot compete against the top 5 of the SEC, maybe even more. But please for the love of Bret, show me we can beat the likes of MSU / Rutgers / NU.
 
#52      
aaeismacgychel
As Iowa went to the Citrus Bowl last year (non major bowls try not going with the same team in consecutive years) and Minnesota is going to surely lose again with their remaining schedule, basically if we win our final 3 games and none of the Top 4 B10 teams have an unexpected loss (Ind losing to OSU is expected), we would be an almost 100% lock for the Citrus. Long way to go in the season, but win out and Orlando would be the destination.
 
#53      
Illini2010-11
aaeismacgychel said:
As Iowa went to the Citrus Bowl last year (non major bowls try not going with the same team in consecutive years) and Minnesota is going to surely lose again with their remaining schedule, basically if we win our final 3 games and none of the Top 4 B10 teams have an unexpected loss (Ind losing to OSU is expected), we would be an almost 100% lock for the Citrus. Long way to go in the season, but win out and Orlando would be the destination.
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Win out and worst case scenario is Tampa (if IU somehow loses last two games). Iowa and Minnesota losing over the weekend were significant bumps to where Illinois falls in pecking order. Iowa is so hard to predict right now. They could lose their remaining games @Marlyand and vs Nebraska, or win them both. Minnesota is trending to 7-5 at best and likely 6-6. I feel that 2-1 means Illinois is likely still playing in Florida for bowl season. 3-0 is a virtual lock for Citrus (with 4 B1G teams in playoff).

If Illinois happens to drop to 8-4, I would not be opposed to Mayo Bowl or Music City Bowl, but we should all root for 9-3 and a very outside shot at the very rare 10-win Illinois season.
 
#54      
ChiefGritty
Battle89 said:
Just further illustrates the gulf between the SEC and the B1G, at least after the first couple teams.

I understand the bowl game scenario frustration, I do. Spending a month post-season looking forward to getting annihilated by Alabama or Georgia on or about New Years Day is disheartening and sucks all the fun out of the bowl season, at least from an Illini perspective. I would prefer a competitive game too.
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The thing about the 12 team playoff era though, if you get a name-brand SEC powerhouse in the Citrus Bowl, you might be playing a half-strength opponent that really doesn't want to be there.
 
#56      
KBLEE
DERV64 said:
Mark my words.....if we get dragged by 40+ by a talented sec team we have no business with prepare for a 2-10/3-9 2025. If we put up a fight and have a competitive game with an Iowa st.....this team will build and have a competitive 2025 season
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If we end up getting matched with Georgia, half of their team could opt out. It could easily be a competitive game.
 
#58      
Battle89
ChiefGritty said:
The thing about the 12 team playoff era though, if you get a name-brand SEC powerhouse in the Citrus Bowl, you might be playing a half-strength opponent that really doesn't want to be there.
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I'm already on the same side, finish strong and get the best bowl possible. I guess our difference is that I still think we get stomped even with Alabama or Georgia second-stringers. Those squads have 4-stars two or three deep at almost every position, and I think those players would be doubly eager to perform well in a game where some above them chose to sit out.
 
#59      
the juiceman cometh
People need to stop stressing about the competition level. Honestly no way to know what's going to happen in a non-CFP bowl game, given. We have no idea who will actually play for any given team. We could stomp Geoegia if their team gets decimated, or we could get curbed by Syracuse if ours does. Just finish strong and get the best bowl possible, and let the chips fall where they may.
 
#61      
Illiniam1984
If we are fretting over this now, wait until they expand the CFP to 14 or 16 teams. It will be very easy to make a bowl game and it will push really good to possibly elite teams down to the bowl games if they miss the CFP.
 
#62      
Illini in Italy
Dkayak said:
It will be what it is. There’s no more reason to fret over it than the weather. Just getting to a bowl, any bowl, is a good thing, and in no way a problem.
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100% - just please make it a warm weather location! :cool:
 
#63      
redwingillini11
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5915859/2024/11/12/college-football-bowl-projections-9/ ($$$)
CitrusDec. 31Orlando, Fla.Illinois (Big Ten 2)South Carolina (SEC 2)3 p.m.ABC

www.usatoday.com

Bowl projections: SEC teams joins College Football Playoff field

The College Football Playoff picture got shaken up after some upsets and that is reflected in this week's bowl projections forecasting the postseason.
www.usatoday.com
Dec. 31CitrusBig Ten vs. SECIllinois vs. Tennessee

ReliaQuest Bowl​

Tuesday, December 31
12:00, ESPN
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Bowl Affiliations: Big Ten, SEC, ACC
Last Season: LSU 35, Wisconsin 31
Bowl Projection: Illinois vs Tennessee


saturdaytradition.com

Big Ten bowl projections after Week 11: Does an 11-1 Indiana make the Playoff?

Big Ten bowl projections following an eventful Week 11.
saturdaytradition.com
Pinstripe Bowl: Illinois vs. Syracuse
 
#64      
CubIllini
redwingillini11 said:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5915859/2024/11/12/college-football-bowl-projections-9/ ($$$)
CitrusDec. 31Orlando, Fla.Illinois (Big Ten 2)South Carolina (SEC 2)3 p.m.ABC

www.usatoday.com

Bowl projections: SEC teams joins College Football Playoff field

The College Football Playoff picture got shaken up after some upsets and that is reflected in this week's bowl projections forecasting the postseason.
www.usatoday.com
Dec. 31CitrusBig Ten vs. SECIllinois vs. Tennessee

ReliaQuest Bowl​

Tuesday, December 31
12:00, ESPN
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Bowl Affiliations: Big Ten, SEC, ACC
Last Season: LSU 35, Wisconsin 31
Bowl Projection: Illinois vs Tennessee


saturdaytradition.com

Big Ten bowl projections after Week 11: Does an 11-1 Indiana make the Playoff?

Big Ten bowl projections following an eventful Week 11.
saturdaytradition.com
Pinstripe Bowl: Illinois vs. Syracuse
Click to expand...
I would love a match up against South Carolina. A really good SEC team, but not so great that they will blow us out. Sign me up for that type of match up in a Citrus Bowl all day.
 
#71      
LFOD
Dan said:
Citrus Bowl
Projected matchup: Tennessee vs. Illinois
247sports
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Nervous Richard Nixon GIF
 
#73      
OrangeBlue98
Dan said:
Citrus Bowl
Projected matchup: Tennessee vs. Illinois
247sports
Click to expand...
Oof.

I'd much rather play a team where Illinois can be a lot more competitive. Maybe 8-4 is OK for this season to increase those odds.
 
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