Gonna enjoy this one - only 7 other Illini football seasons in history with 9 or more wins - now let’s go get the 10th win - GO ILLINI!
Illinois 38, Northwestern 28 Postgame
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Bring on the Citrus Bowl! It’s strange that this is a 9-3 season when it feels like the 2022 team was a lot better and it only went 8-5. Credit to the guys for pulling out nearly all of the winnable games.
I assume we get Bama or Ole Miss so should be fun. Illinois doesn’t get to play the big SEC boys very often. I can’t wait
I assume we get Bama or Ole Miss so should be fun. Illinois doesn’t get to play the big SEC boys very often. I can’t wait
On this play, the ground pushed on the point of the ball into the receiver's hands. So, no catch . . .
Love Bielema, but we are not a top 10 or 15 team.
You and the other Illini fans who braved the weather today should get free tickets to Orlando (or wherever warm)On the train home, finally starting to feel my toes again.
9-win seasons don’t happen every day so what’s a little frostbite? Let’s go get #10 in Orlando!
The 2022 team was the better analytic team for sure. Mostly because their secondary was just straight up elite. Illinois ended the season 2nd in SP+ Defense, but 99th in offense. 21st overall which is very good. Illinois won't finish that high this year outside of something really insane in the bowl game.
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
So cold but so happy! What a way to end the regular season!
2022 also had a ton of pros on it. This season felt like an average talent team getting the absolute most wins possible. It’s feels like when a team like Minnesota would get to 9 wins and you wonder how
Yeah I was going through the Ourlads earlier today and can't remember ever seeing so many Illini on NFL rosters.
TheFlyingIllini1317
- Chicago, IL
So happy for Aidan Laughery. Stopped reading game threads in part because of all the negative posts about him and how Valentine (even though he can’t block) should be playing over him. Love to see it.
The Sprouting Divot
Invisible and Bulletproof
- Miracle Mile
I wasn't thrilled with the BB hire (and that's putting it mildly) but he's got better character than I thought at the time, and is also a better coach than I gave him credit for.
Really happy to be wrong on both counts.
Really happy to be wrong on both counts.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Unless of course the primary statistic you’re analyzing/using is “WINS”.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
James is quite the football savant, isn’t he?Brett MF Bielema
How much longer does Bret Bielema have to prove himself?
After an up-and-down first three seasons, how long is the Illini head coach’s leash?www.thechampaignroom.com
Forever. B#tch.
Not likely. If Indiana losses to PU, we'd both be out. With two losses, you need some high end wins.
That was about the worst defensive effort I have seen period. Is the secondary that bad? Northwestern lit the defensive backfield up all day long! The defense once again cannot get off the field on 3rd down, they are getting beat every time! Good thing time ran out or these guys would have found a way to blow it. There are no CUPKAKES in bowl games!
TheFlyingIllini1317
- Chicago, IL
I don't know. I think this guy nails it. But for some boneheaded coaching by Bielema, we're 11-1 and looking at the B1G title game and a first round bye in the CFP.
He's got one more year to turn it around, IMHO.
He's got one more year to turn it around, IMHO.
Finished out 3/4 and had a close one against Minnesota (should've found a way to win). The way Bielema has turned this program from a laughing stock to respectable in 3 seasons can't be understated. LOOK AT THIS!!!
pruman91
- interviewing new NL's daily....I really really am
Aidan Laughery rushed for 3 TD's bowl-bound No. 22 Illinois tops Northwestern 38-28 to reach 9 wins.
Aidan Laughery rushed for three touchdowns, including one on career-long 64-yard run early in the second half, and No. 22 Illinois topped Northwestern 38-28 on Saturday to reach nine victories
Forgive me if this was already asked, but what “what ifs” other than squeaking one out against Minnesota are there? We definitely had no business winning the other two losses, and frankly could have (maybe should have) lost 2-3 more.
Some people may not want to admit this, but this team way overachieved and benefited from a fairly favorable schedule. We really only had 4 away games all season.
This was exactly what Bret needed. Now the next generation of starters needs to start developing. Aaron Henry’s gotta go and Barry’s gotta do a lot of self-scouting. This team’s at an inflection point. Do we blast up into a perennial fringe CFP team, or do we let this fade into another blip in Illini success?
Some people may not want to admit this, but this team way overachieved and benefited from a fairly favorable schedule. We really only had 4 away games all season.
This was exactly what Bret needed. Now the next generation of starters needs to start developing. Aaron Henry’s gotta go and Barry’s gotta do a lot of self-scouting. This team’s at an inflection point. Do we blast up into a perennial fringe CFP team, or do we let this fade into another blip in Illini success?
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