Bowl Projections
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Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
mhuml32
Gesture of Northern Aggression
Good point. Could be an interesting audition to who gets the inside track to playing time next year or who’s likely to transfer or need an extra year of seasoning.
also, C Dixon seemed like our best next man up option for much of the season. he kind of reminds me of PB physically, nice to see him mix it up blocking too on PB TD play
This is how it works. If we are ever gong to win meaningful bowl games, the NIL has to rise. 3 or 4 million is not enough to compete with the BIG BOYS. We need to double that or better. Coach B. spoke about that several months ago. I love winning like everyone else does but this is as good as it gets without more money vested into the program.
And was deceased within a month, possibly due in part to the horrendous weather that night in Memphis.
We were Joe Paterno's last opponent, too.
Shoulda won both games.
Great post! I haven't seen much comment about Dixon's block so I can't like your post enough since I think it was crucial to the touchdown. Once Bryant made the catch and his amazing cut, Dixon scouted the area around him and cleanly took out the only defensive player with a chance to tackle Bryant. Great awareness and execution by a young wide receiver!
the extra practices (10 I believe) are very valuable in allowing the coaches to see which underclassmen are penciled in the two deep for spring / summer
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
Yes the 4 hours a day (up to 20 hours a week) until bowl is played will be valuable. I do not believe there is a limit on number of practices, just the hours mentioned above.
Is it possible to be matched up with Mizzou in the Citrus?
-Tennessee, Georgia, Texas, Texas AM make the playoff.
-South Carolina and Alabama lose
Maybe that does it?
-Tennessee, Georgia, Texas, Texas AM make the playoff.
-South Carolina and Alabama lose
Maybe that does it?
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
If all of those conditions happened, I fully expect Mizzou to lose to Arkansas. I think the likelihood of Illini facing Mizzou (in Citrus Bowl) is less than 5%. Maybe higher chance if IU loses Saturday and drop into Citrus slot (and we face Mizzou in Reliaquest).
I know people think Bama will have plenty of opt-outs, but won't we too?
Who are the ones we truly expect? Bryant, Franklin, Jacas, Coleman - one of them? a few? all of them?
Who are the ones we truly expect? Bryant, Franklin, Jacas, Coleman - one of them? a few? all of them?
Edit- thought Franklin was a junior. Thought wrong lol.
The $665 is the cost for an annual membership to the Florida Citrus Sports group, not tickets to the citrus bowl. These annual memberships give
- Pop-Tarts Bowl and Cheez-It Citrus Bowl tickets
- Parking for both bowl games
- Exclusive discounts to events throughout the year
- Presales and offers for additional stadium games/events
- Interest-free payment plans
Yeah, I saw that. But how does one buy individual game tickets then? Maybe after the game is announced? I remember it being very easy for the Realiquest bowl.
I went to this game on a whim during a trip to Nashville, no connection to Vandy or Bama at all. Never in a million years would I have expected this result, let alone having it set in motion a possible Illinois date with Alabama in the Citrus Bowl. We can definitely beat these guys, I'd chose them over any other SEC team for sure. What a time to be alive!
I wonder if the chance to play against Alabama would be enough motivation for our guys not to opt out?
Shief
- Champaign Area
I had a chat with my Tennessee coworker yesterday and he thinks that this past weekend's upsets have them in the playoff discussion, but they need to get past Vandy first and that will not be an easy task this year.
I am still hoping that Illinois makes the Citrus Bowl and we will see who the opponent will be.
I am still hoping that Illinois makes the Citrus Bowl and we will see who the opponent will be.
mhuml32
Gesture of Northern Aggression
I've actually wondered if a "neither or both" theory could apply. If your opponent's stars stay in, there's greater opportunity cost for the Pat Bryants' to play. If they don't, then your stars also sit out.
I think it's more likely players start opting out of last game than they start playing in bowls.
The only thing these guys who opt out are concerned with is risking injury. They aren’t going to care who the opponent is.
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
For players that are projected to be on the draft board, no. Same goes for guys looking to get a payday in the Transfer Portal. The bowl game really does not change draft stock that much (scouts already have plenty of regular season tape to look at, especially when games mean more). Since bowls have become glorified exhibition games (with all the opt outs, etc.), there is just so little upside. Preparing for the Combine is much more important for most of these guys. Performance there is often make or break for guys not already expected to be on the early side of the first round.
The injury risk is just too great for players like Bryant to play in the bowl games that are not part of the CFP (even if they somehow got insurance protection). The best part of bowls are the extra practice for guys projected to be with the team in 2025, as well as getting them more playing time in a nice location.
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