So six of our conference opponents were worse than projected, five significantly worse. Can we get that every year please?Big Ten SP+ (outside of Oregon, Ohio State, & Penn State) with change from preseason:
11- Indiana (up 70)
16 - Iowa (up 8)
25 - USC (exact same)
33 - Michigan (down 26)
34 - Minnesota (up 13)
41 - Illinois (up 20)
53- Rutgers (down 4)
54 - Nebraska (down 12)
57 - Washington (down 25)
64- Wisconsin (down 28)
76- UCLA (down 39)
89 - Maryland (down 43)
92- Michigan State (down 20)
102 - Northwestern (down 27)
121 - Purdue (down 53)
Big Ten SP+ (outside of Oregon, Ohio State, & Penn State) with change from preseason:
11- Indiana (up 70)
16 - Iowa (up 8)
25 - USC (exact same)
33 - Michigan (down 26)
34 - Minnesota (up 13)
41 - Illinois (up 20)
53- Rutgers (down 4)
54 - Nebraska (down 12)
57 - Washington (down 25)
64- Wisconsin (down 28)
76- UCLA (down 39)
89 - Maryland (down 43)
92- Michigan State (down 20)
102 - Northwestern (down 27)
121 - Purdue (down 53)
Which is absolutely amazing as the correlation between on field success and off-field issues tends to be positive.I'm listening to the Illini Inquire podcast over lunch and J makes a point I hadn't considered. This program hasn't had any off-the-field issues in a while. Credit to Brett and the staff. They've brought in the right guys and have set the standard. It's nice not to have to worry about that.
I don't think there's a lot of doubt that a team that doesn't have off-field trouble will also be disciplined on the field. The opposite is also true. How many completely stupid and undisciplined penalties did Illinois have under Beckman and Lovie?I'm listening to the Illini Inquire podcast over lunch and J makes a point I hadn't considered. This program hasn't had any off-the-field issues in a while. Credit to Brett and the staff. They've brought in the right guys and have set the standard. It's nice not to have to worry about that.
COACHING MATTERS!I don't think there's a lot of doubt that a team that doesn't have off-field trouble will also be disciplined on the field. The opposite is also true. How many completely stupid and undisciplined penalties did Illinois have under Beckman and Lovie?
A big reason Illinois had the season it did was because they just did not make a lot of bone-headed mistakes. That's on the coaching setting the standard, as you pointed out.
This is the way.This is such an Illinois lose lose mindset. This team just won it's 9TH GAME. it's bowling. Recruits are flocking. And you want to dissect on our three losses and relive the worst?
Great year Bret! We're bowling... we're going to have NFL draft picks... what was our best win? Maybe Nebraska on the road? Maybe it was holding onto the Purdue win and saving the season. And Bielema has done this brick by brick - he didn't get a bunch of 4 or 5 star recruits when he signed on... love this year & program
This is mostly true but we did have a coach leave and steal 12 million dollarsI'm listening to the Illini Inquire podcast over lunch and J makes a point I hadn't considered. This program hasn't had any off-the-field issues in a while. Credit to Brett and the staff. They've brought in the right guys and have set the standard. It's nice not to have to worry about that.
Interesting breakdown. The passing O showed a big fall-off in yards as well--1,426 yards in the first six games versus 1,117 in the second. Remember, however, that the first half included games versus FCS Eastern Illinois, 4-8 Central Michigan, and 1-11 Purdue. November weather also tends to reduce the effectiveness of a passing attack.Altmyer had two seasons in one. First six games 111-164 (67.7%), 14 TDs, 1 INT. Last six games 87-161 (54.0%), 7 TDs, 4 INTs.
I'd love to see the numbers on personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct. I think it still was an issue first two seasons but major turnaround now.I don't think there's a lot of doubt that a team that doesn't have off-field trouble will also be disciplined on the field. The opposite is also true. How many completely stupid and undisciplined penalties did Illinois have under Beckman and Lovie?
A big reason Illinois had the season it did was because they just did not make a lot of bone-headed mistakes. That's on the coaching setting the standard, as you pointed out.
His elbow is also F’d upInteresting breakdown. The passing O showed a big fall-off in yards as well--1,426 yards in the first six games versus 1,117 in the second. Remember, however, that the first half included games versus FCS Eastern Illinois, 4-8 Central Michigan, and 1-11 Purdue. November weather also tends to reduce the effectiveness of a passing attack.
That definitely explains some of the accuracy decline as the season wore on, but he still did a phenomenal job, Luke is one tough kid!!!!!His elbow is also F’d up
one month before bowl game enough to make a difference in recovery?His elbow is also F’d up
Banged up since MSU at least. He’ll playone month before bowl game enough to make a difference in recovery?
Our dream season isn't over yet. We want to join that exclusive...or elusive...10+ win season. I called Pat Bryant having a beast of a year pre-season. An all-time school record would be considered beastly. His legend will only grow after he helps us get to 10! I'm talking about 3 TD's and 170 yards. Go ahead and book it...along with your ticket to Florida!I’d say the Minnesota game. The Oregon game we greatly suspected would be brutal and, as bad as the Purdue second half was, winning curbed the disappointment. But Minnesota was a winnable game at home against an opponent who you’ve frustrated the last three years. A loss wasn’t surprising, but it was disappointing.
Our dream season isn't over yet. We want to join that exclusive...or elusive...10+ win season. I called Pat Bryant having a beast of a year pre-season. An all-time school record would be considered beastly. His legend will only grow after he helps us get to 10! I'm talking about 3 TD's and 170 yards. Go ahead and book it...along with your ticket to Florida!
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www.illinoisloyalty.com
He hasn't said that he won't play. His hand is forced due to being out of eligibility.Pat Bryant declares for NFL Draft, opts out of bowl game
www.illinoisloyalty.com
The timing of the announcement makes it seem like it was the most positive way of saying that he is opting out of the bowl game. He could have simply waited until after the season to declare, so I believe it is about a 95% certainty that Bryant will not play in the bowl game.He hasn't said that he won't play. His hand is forced due to being out of eligibility.