Game Thread: Illinois at Indiana

Status
Not open for further replies.
#51      
BDMAN
With the Notre Dame vs Purdue game in a weather delay. With a resumption scheduled for 7 pm on NBC, means that game will surely go over. So where will they place tge Illini vs Indiana game at the start Peacock?
 
#52      
aaeismacgychel
Not having Xavier is a pretty awful loss for us, and us being fairly banged up for this one is also highly unfortunate. Going to need our front 4 to show up big today and make Mendoza feel uncomfortable. Also can't fall behind early. If we're within a score going into the half I like our chances. Down double digits and it's going to be tough. This being Indiana's first P4 opponent and us using an extremely vanilla playbook thus far does make me feel they may have some struggles as well, especially on the defensive side. Hoping for the best, but this isn't an easy one, and we'll need to play some good football tonight.

That all said, man, I'm catching up on the pregame thread, and holy cow, did we somehow return to a time Beckman is coaching and Indiana is Saban Alabama, because my lord, there is no explanation for that level of pessimism. I mean, I've lived the history of this program these past 30years, and yes, it hasn't been pretty is an understatement, but I thought we put a lot of this to rest in the Citrus Bowl where we were just supposed to be happy to be there while Carolina beat us by 50. Indiana is good, no doubt, but they sure ain't the '85 Bears and they sure ain't an Oregon or OSU. Again, if we lose, we lost to a good team on the road, but all this woe is us, we're going to be run off the field stuff, we have to get over it at some point we just have to. May this week help in doing just that. Let's freakin take this one.
 
#53      
BrownTown
ChiTown said:
I am expecting them to blitz our quarterback early and often in the beginning of the game until we make them pay.
Click to expand...
They aren't really a blitz heavy defense. More so zone and then twists/stunts on the front. I would assume they try and add pressure if they can't get it with their front but I don't think they will get too far outside what they normally like to do.
 
#54      
HailtotheChief
Ok. ND Purdue is in rain delay.. so are they going to show the illini game on tv before the ND game is over?
 
Last edited:
#56      
SuperMetroid
ChiTown said:
I am expecting them to blitz our quarterback early and often in the beginning of the game until we make them pay.
Click to expand...
Hope we’re ready with some quick hitting pass plays and fast tempo right from the jump instead of waiting a whole half
 
#58      
BDMAN
Rooftop said:
Is game moving to Peacock???
Click to expand...
It looks like it is being simulcast on Peacick as well so I guessing that they will cover it until the ND vs Pur game is over
 
#62      
Fighter of the Nightman
Two thoughts before we descend into the madness of game time! I'm just at home with my wife and Little Fighter (turns 2 this December 21), all decked out in his Illini gear.

1. As anxious as I feel, it is SO cool to have a program worth feeling anxious for. To be playing in games like this in primetime and having nerves increase as kickoff approaches is a privilege that fan bases wish for - including ours not so long ago, when this seemed like a pipe dream. Thank you, Bret and Co.!

2. This is the big highlight of my weekend since my wife had a friend's birthday thing last night and she works tomorrow. Got my wings ready to order, my favorite German Pilsner purchased and my Chief flag flying in Roscoe Village. My point? I'm not going to let the result bum me out too much, because I have been pumped for this!! So, here is my positive spin I will choose to adopt for each result:

A) We Win Handily: If we go into this atmosphere and handily beat a very good Indiana team short handed, all best are off, boys! The dream of an 11-1 record is nowhere near crazy, and we can even start hoping for that 12-0 fever dream.

B) We Win a Close One: Statement win, and our CFP dreams are VERY much alive! Swagger is back, momentum is at a place this program hasn't seen in a lot of our lifetimes and we are feelin' on top of the world.

C) We Lose a Close One: Even if it is a longer shot now, the CFP dream is nowhere near dead. We showed we could hang with a good team on the road down one of our best players, and we will regroup to try to steal one of the other games we need to get to that 10-2 (or even 11-1 if we can knock off OSU) record. We'll be fine!

D) We Lose Handily: While nothing is technically off the table at 3-1 and after a tough road game where we were missing a key defensive piece, I'll allow myself to stop feeling this pressure of a CFP dream. I'll just enjoy the ride and hope for another 9-3 (or better!) season where we can continue to build this momentum. We'll look forward, try to get healthy and bounce back against USC.

Thankful for this program's current trajectory, and I'll feel that way after tonight, no matter what! With that said ... let's put that Loosiers overconfidence in check and send a message to the nation tonight with a massive win. I-L-L!

#9 Illinois 28
#19 Indiana 23
 
#65      
illinifan1987
Bonus prediction: This becomes the new most active game thread in Loyalty history... And then we make Dan's comment about it the new most liked post in Loyalty history
Tina Fey Comedy GIF by NETFLIX

Bonus bonus prediction: While my initial one is much more likely, I'll go with 38-17 us. We expose the Loosiers for what they are...
Bobby Moynihan Snl GIF by Saturday Night Live
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back