If Bret was honest...Did he see this coming? Was he completely dumbfounded by this? At least Maryland game in basketball, Brad Underwood admitted he kinda knew it was going to be a bad matchup.
Indiana 63, Illinois 10 Postgame
- Status
Losing X for the season to protect a shut out against western Michigan is coaching neglect. Same goes for keeping starters in when we are down 50 points. We need to stop worrying about style points and protect our guys when we can. That’s also a good time to get your other guys game reps.
I get we had a lot of injuries in the secondary yesterday but that’s an even bigger reason to get Bailey off the field. Let rj jones, Woodward, Reynolds and whoever else play. It would be impossible to do worse
Where do you put the players and their inability to do their jobs in ANY one on one matchups into the equation? Putting everything on the coaches is the lazy and sugarcoated explanation at getting absolutely humiliated. These coaches didn't just stop being able to coach. They didn't forget from last season.
I figured the defensive line was going to be an issue. Outside of Jacas, it's an unproven group. There was bound to be a setback there. That front four gets zero pressure and that's all based on losing one on one battles. You can't play defense with that happening. No defensive coordinator on the planet can operate with their only ability to pressure the QB is to be exotic 100% of the time. You can't survive that way.
The DB situation is it's own disaster.
When McCray left, it out the positional group in the hands of Feagin, AL and Valentine. One guy has no explosiveness, one can't block and one can't stay healthy. That's a problem.
Last year, we had two BIG TIME receivers, with PB being elite. They were guys who always won their one on one battles and in PB's case, he'd come up with a 50/50 ball, 80% of the time. Beatty is a nice players, but he's not Franklin or Bryant. He's a very good player, but that unit, as a whole, is a regression from last year.
Now, the offensive line play is where the rubber meets the road. This team was ranked because of the experience coming back there and at the QB position. I'd say that only Kreutz is holding up his end of the bargain. He plays with fire and he'll rip the throat out of a guy who hits his QB late. The other guys are just......there. If you're coaching, you can try sending some guys to the bench, but then what? My HOPE is that it's a group that got too deep into their own press clippings and thought that just showing up was enough. We were 3-0 and things would sort themselves out. Hell, many of our fans thought that. Now that they've taken a complete and total !!! kicking on national TV....I'm HOPING that the fire has been lit.
These coaches get paid a lot of money to make things happen. That said, the players do too.
The guys wearing the jerseys need to pick up their end of the couch. Blaming the staff is just a soft, easy way to cope with what happened.
Question.....who would you consider the team leader is on both sides of the ball because I'll tell ya.....I can't find one in either side. Not one guy will kick anyone in the !!! either. That's a problem. Your QB should be one, but he doesn't say much outside of the mandatory news conference.
On defense.....pfft. They exist.
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Kreutz has gotten a lot of praise in the past for his toughness. I assume he calls out the protections. How much could that factor into protection issues?
Cook
- Richmond, VA
Serious question, can NIL and/or revenue share $ be structured based on incentives? Just like coaches often have clauses in their contracts to get more money when certain goals are achieved. If the $ going to players isn't or can't be incentivized, why is that?
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altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
I'm a glass-half-full guy and trained myself as a young man to look for the pony in the pile of manure.
@Retro62 and I had a fantastic four-day road trip from DC to the Great Midwest. 1,500 miles round trip. Gorgeous, warm weather (a bit hot for me but no complaints.) Beautiful country, from the Appalachian Mts in Western MD, WVa and PA, through the rich flatlands from Ohio to Champaign (literally, IIRC: "the plain.") Wonderful coffee and pastry at a café in German Village in Columbus. The Hoosier Gym in Knightstown, IN where the game footage in the film was shot. our second visit in two years. Friendly people proud of their landmark; interesting conversation about the place, chills down my spine to be able to chuck up a few Js in that gym. Dinner at The Beef House. Drving into the sunset to Champaign. Walking through campus to Murphy's for a beer (my first time there since the Saturday night Michigan game weekend in Sept 2000.) Breakfast at Merry Ann's that stuck with us well into the afternoon (thanks, @illinoisfootball for the rec). Wandering through campus, alive with students and activity. The union; Lincoln Hall theatre; Krannert; the Mechanical Engr Building and M.E. Lab (where I visited my old office and chatted with its current inhabitants about my work there in the Stone Age of computing); the main library in all its incredible wood-paneled glory; the Armory; Smith Memorial Hall where we sat in silence in the auditorium admiring its mahogany and Beaux Arts majesty (and were treated to a mini recital by a student); and the chef's kiss... at the end of the afternoon getting into Scott Hall where I was an R.A. my JR/SR years and where @Retro62 lived, too. Seeing the old hallways and my old door. Walking those stairwells that I knew so well. Recalling the guys on my floor. I still have the pewter mug a group of them gave me for graduation. Hadn't been in there in 25 years and may never be in there again (the four of the remaining six pack will bite the dust at some point.) So many lifelong memories born in that building.
Then BBQ @ Black Dog in Urbana and back out on 74 to Indy overnight as the sun set behind us. Then a fabulous breakfast in south Indy and six hours at The Upstairs Pub in Bloomington watching four ball games simultaneously, drinking beer, and chatting with the students, all of whom were unfailingly kind and good natured, before heading to the stadium for the game. Raucous atmosphere in Memorial Stadium, packed, in a frenzy for their team, just incredible energy that gave me chills.
And then the entire reason for our trip, the apex: the game.
I noticed that in giant block letters inside the tunnel through which the IU players enter the field is emblazoned "DO YOUR JOB"
Gentlemen, I know you're 18-22 yrs old. But your job is to play football not only competently, but with heart, tenacity and, above all, self-respect. Get yourselves together asap this week and read Joan Didion while you're at it. Well, maybe tonight, before anything else. And then please go out on Saturday morning and kick USC's a$$.
Because I am well pi$$ed off tonight having returned home 86 hours after I departed and having enjoyed ~ 84-1/2 of those hours completely and deliriously, with some happy memories that I'll take to my grave. I paid handsomely for my seat to see you perform, only to sit through that complete horror of an unraveling. Maybe I'd feel more charitable if the basketball team hadn't subjected me to a similar experience in MSG last February. I have now, within seven months, paid extremely well to sit through the worst defeat in 120 years of Illini basketball in NYC and, in Bloomington last night, among a handful of the worst, and perhaps the most disappointing, in 135 years of football.
The last time I left an Illini game early it was 1986 v. Nebraska. NU scored on a pick-six on the initial play of the game. It was 28-0 after 1Q, 38-7 at half, 52-7 after 3Q, and 59-14 at the end. Last night was, of course, different, because expectations were so (and too) high.
In Sept '86 I simply walked down from the east balcony and across Peabody Drive. This weekend consumed somewhat more effort.
The only positive thing that occurred to us after around 8:20 ET last night was that we buggered off after the hot-knife-through-butter initial IU drive of the second half made it 42-10, and got to the car just as it began to rain heavily. So there's that. In addition, it rained hard enough to wash the sheet of encrusted dead insects off the windshield on the way back to Indy. Didn't need to use the squeegee when I gassed up at 8 a.m. So there's that, too.
I must have said to my bro at least a half-dozen times between last night and this evening: "Man, I'm really glad we decided to leave a day early and spend a day in Champaign."
To all of you who have endured season after season of misery in the stands, I know I sound like a spoiled child. I'm sorry. I don't intend to. All of you have depth and character of fandom via your consistent support over years if not decades that, frankly, I lack. I just felt taken last night, like a rube in a confidence game. I know lots of other fans did, too. It sucks. While I could keep that to myself, I decided not to, partially 'cause I wanted to share my experience on campus and how much I love our university and cherish the Midwest. And, let's be clear, because I want to vent.
Unfortunately, a pony does not exist in this pile of manure. I'm not even bothering to look. Spread it wide and fertilize something that will grow. Quickly, please. If something precious indeed is at the center of the pile, well, great. Use it.
@Retro62 and I had a fantastic four-day road trip from DC to the Great Midwest. 1,500 miles round trip. Gorgeous, warm weather (a bit hot for me but no complaints.) Beautiful country, from the Appalachian Mts in Western MD, WVa and PA, through the rich flatlands from Ohio to Champaign (literally, IIRC: "the plain.") Wonderful coffee and pastry at a café in German Village in Columbus. The Hoosier Gym in Knightstown, IN where the game footage in the film was shot. our second visit in two years. Friendly people proud of their landmark; interesting conversation about the place, chills down my spine to be able to chuck up a few Js in that gym. Dinner at The Beef House. Drving into the sunset to Champaign. Walking through campus to Murphy's for a beer (my first time there since the Saturday night Michigan game weekend in Sept 2000.) Breakfast at Merry Ann's that stuck with us well into the afternoon (thanks, @illinoisfootball for the rec). Wandering through campus, alive with students and activity. The union; Lincoln Hall theatre; Krannert; the Mechanical Engr Building and M.E. Lab (where I visited my old office and chatted with its current inhabitants about my work there in the Stone Age of computing); the main library in all its incredible wood-paneled glory; the Armory; Smith Memorial Hall where we sat in silence in the auditorium admiring its mahogany and Beaux Arts majesty (and were treated to a mini recital by a student); and the chef's kiss... at the end of the afternoon getting into Scott Hall where I was an R.A. my JR/SR years and where @Retro62 lived, too. Seeing the old hallways and my old door. Walking those stairwells that I knew so well. Recalling the guys on my floor. I still have the pewter mug a group of them gave me for graduation. Hadn't been in there in 25 years and may never be in there again (the four of the remaining six pack will bite the dust at some point.) So many lifelong memories born in that building.
Then BBQ @ Black Dog in Urbana and back out on 74 to Indy overnight as the sun set behind us. Then a fabulous breakfast in south Indy and six hours at The Upstairs Pub in Bloomington watching four ball games simultaneously, drinking beer, and chatting with the students, all of whom were unfailingly kind and good natured, before heading to the stadium for the game. Raucous atmosphere in Memorial Stadium, packed, in a frenzy for their team, just incredible energy that gave me chills.
And then the entire reason for our trip, the apex: the game.
I noticed that in giant block letters inside the tunnel through which the IU players enter the field is emblazoned "DO YOUR JOB"
Gentlemen, I know you're 18-22 yrs old. But your job is to play football not only competently, but with heart, tenacity and, above all, self-respect. Get yourselves together asap this week and read Joan Didion while you're at it. Well, maybe tonight, before anything else. And then please go out on Saturday morning and kick USC's a$$.
Because I am well pi$$ed off tonight having returned home 86 hours after I departed and having enjoyed ~ 84-1/2 of those hours completely and deliriously, with some happy memories that I'll take to my grave. I paid handsomely for my seat to see you perform, only to sit through that complete horror of an unraveling. Maybe I'd feel more charitable if the basketball team hadn't subjected me to a similar experience in MSG last February. I have now, within seven months, paid extremely well to sit through the worst defeat in 120 years of Illini basketball in NYC and, in Bloomington last night, among a handful of the worst, and perhaps the most disappointing, in 135 years of football.
The last time I left an Illini game early it was 1986 v. Nebraska. NU scored on a pick-six on the initial play of the game. It was 28-0 after 1Q, 38-7 at half, 52-7 after 3Q, and 59-14 at the end. Last night was, of course, different, because expectations were so (and too) high.
In Sept '86 I simply walked down from the east balcony and across Peabody Drive. This weekend consumed somewhat more effort.
The only positive thing that occurred to us after around 8:20 ET last night was that we buggered off after the hot-knife-through-butter initial IU drive of the second half made it 42-10, and got to the car just as it began to rain heavily. So there's that. In addition, it rained hard enough to wash the sheet of encrusted dead insects off the windshield on the way back to Indy. Didn't need to use the squeegee when I gassed up at 8 a.m. So there's that, too.
I must have said to my bro at least a half-dozen times between last night and this evening: "Man, I'm really glad we decided to leave a day early and spend a day in Champaign."
To all of you who have endured season after season of misery in the stands, I know I sound like a spoiled child. I'm sorry. I don't intend to. All of you have depth and character of fandom via your consistent support over years if not decades that, frankly, I lack. I just felt taken last night, like a rube in a confidence game. I know lots of other fans did, too. It sucks. While I could keep that to myself, I decided not to, partially 'cause I wanted to share my experience on campus and how much I love our university and cherish the Midwest. And, let's be clear, because I want to vent.
Unfortunately, a pony does not exist in this pile of manure. I'm not even bothering to look. Spread it wide and fertilize something that will grow. Quickly, please. If something precious indeed is at the center of the pile, well, great. Use it.
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pruman91
- interviewing new NL's daily....I really really am
well also that it's sports center....I haven't watched an episode of sports center in years......I really really haven't......
pruman91
- interviewing new NL's daily....I really really am
I feel your pain bro............I really really do.......I'm a glass-half-full guy and trained myself as a young man to look for the pony in the pile of manure.
@Retro62 and I had a fantastic four-day road trip from DC to the Great Midwest. 1,500 miles round trip. Gorgeous, warm weather (a bit hot for me but no complaints.) Beautiful country, from the Appalachian Mts in Western MD, WVa and PA, through the rich flatlands from Ohio to Champaign (literally, IIRC: "the plain.") Wonderful coffee and pastry at a café in German Village in Columbus. The Hoosier Gym in Knightstown, IN where the game footage in the film was shot. our second visit in two years. Friendly people proud of their landmark; interesting conversation about the place, chills down my spine to be able to chuck up a few Js in that gym. Dinner at The Beef House. Drving into the sunset to Champaign. Walking through campus to Murphy's for a beer (my first time there since the Saturday night Michigan game weekend in Sept 2000.) Breakfast at Merry Ann's that stuck with us well into the afternoon (thanks, @illinoisfootball for the rec). Wandering through campus, alive with students and activity. The union; Lincoln Hall theatre; Krannert; the Mechanical Engr Building and M.E. Lab (where I visited my old office and chatted with its current inhabitants about my work there in the Stone Age of computing); the main library in all its incredible wood-paneled glory; the Armory; Smith Memorial Hall where we sat in silence in the auditorium admiring its mahogany and Beaux Arts majesty (and were treated to a mini recital by a student); and the chef's kiss... at the end of the afternoon getting into Scott Hall where I was an R.A. my JR/SR years and where @Retro62 lived, too. Seeing the old hallways and my old door. Walking those stairwells that I knew so well. Recalling the guys on my floor. I still have the pewter mug a group of them gave me for graduation. Hadn't been in there in 25 years and may never be in there again (the four of the remaining six pack will bite the dust at some point.) So many lifelong memories born in that building.
Then BBQ @ Black Dog in Urbana and back out on 74 to Indy overnight as the sun set behind us. Then a fabulous breakfast in south Indy and six hours at The Upstairs Pub in Bloomington watching four ball games simultaneously, drinking beer, and chatting with the students, all of whom were unfailingly kind and good natured, before heading to the stadium for the game. Raucous atmosphere in Memorial Stadium, packed, in a frenzy for their team, just incredible energy that gave me chills.
And then the entire reason for our trip, the apex: the game.
I noticed that in giant block letters inside the tunnel through which the IU players enter the field is emblazoned "DO YOUR JOB"
Gentlemen, I know you're 18-22 yrs old. But your job is to play football not only competently, but with heart, tenacity and, above all, self-respect. Get yourselves together asap this week and read Joan Didion while you're at it. Well, maybe tonight, before anything else. And then please go out on Saturday morning and kick USC's a$$.
Because I am well pi$$ed off tonight having returned home 86 hours after I departed and having enjoyed ~ 84-1/2 of those hours completely and deliriously, with some happy memories that I'll take to my grave. I paid handsomely for my seat to see you perform, only to sit through that complete horror of an unraveling. Maybe I'd feel more charitable if the basketball team hadn't subjected me to a similar experience in MSG last February. I have now, within seven months, paid extremely well to sit through the worst defeat in 120 years of Illini basketball in NYC and, in Bloomington last night, among a handful of the worst, and perhaps the most disappointing, in 135 years of football.
The last time I left an Illini game early it was 1986 v. Nebraska. NU scored on a pick-six on the initial play of the game. It was 28-0 after 1Q, 38-7 at half, 52-7 after 3Q, and 59-14 at the end. Last night was, of course, different, because expectations were so (and too) high.
In Sept '86 I simply walked down from the east balcony and across Peabody Drive. This weekend consumed somewhat more effort.
The only positive thing that occurred to us after around 8:20 ET last night was that we buggered off after the hot-knife-through-butter initial IU drive of the second half made it 42-10, and got to the car just as it began to rain heavily. So there's that. In addition, it rained hard enough to wash the sheet of encrusted dead insects off the windshield on the way back to Indy. Didn't need to use the squeegee when I gassed up at 8 a.m. So there's that, too.
I must have said to my bro at least a half-dozen times between last night and this evening: "Man, I'm really glad we decided to leave a day early and spend a day in Champaign."
To all of you who have endured season after season of misery in the stands, I know I sound like a spoiled child. I'm sorry. I don't intend to. All of you have depth and character of fandom via your consistent support over years if not decades that, frankly, I lack. I just felt taken last night, like a rube in a confidence game. I know lots of other fans did, too. It sucks. While I could keep that to myself, I decided not to, partially 'cause I wanted to share my experience on campus and how much I love our university and cherish the Midwest. And, let's be clear, because I want to vent.
Unfortunately, a pony does not exist in this pile of manure. I'm not even bothering to look. Spread it wide and fertilize something that will grow. Quickly, please. If something precious indeed is at the center of the pile, well, great. Use it.
His calls aren't causing both tackles to get beat like they're standing still.
aiwpfan
- Springfield, Il
Did you work on the B6700 in the ME Building, where they ran the FINITE program?I'm a glass-half-full guy and trained myself as a young man to look for the pony in the pile of manure.
@Retro62 and I had a fantastic four-day road trip from DC to the Great Midwest. 1,500 miles round trip. Gorgeous, warm weather (a bit hot for me but no complaints.) Beautiful country, from the Appalachian Mts in Western MD, WVa and PA, through the rich flatlands from Ohio to Champaign (literally, IIRC: "the plain.") Wonderful coffee and pastry at a café in German Village in Columbus. The Hoosier Gym in Knightstown, IN where the game footage in the film was shot. our second visit in two years. Friendly people proud of their landmark; interesting conversation about the place, chills down my spine to be able to chuck up a few Js in that gym. Dinner at The Beef House. Drving into the sunset to Champaign. Walking through campus to Murphy's for a beer (my first time there since the Saturday night Michigan game weekend in Sept 2000.) Breakfast at Merry Ann's that stuck with us well into the afternoon (thanks, @illinoisfootball for the rec). Wandering through campus, alive with students and activity. The union; Lincoln Hall theatre; Krannert; the Mechanical Engr Building and M.E. Lab (where I visited my old office and chatted with its current inhabitants about my work there in the Stone Age of computing); the main library in all its incredible wood-paneled glory; the Armory; Smith Memorial Hall where we sat in silence in the auditorium admiring its mahogany and Beaux Arts majesty (and were treated to a mini recital by a student); and the chef's kiss... at the end of the afternoon getting into Scott Hall where I was an R.A. my JR/SR years and where @Retro62 lived, too. Seeing the old hallways and my old door. Walking those stairwells that I knew so well. Recalling the guys on my floor. I still have the pewter mug a group of them gave me for graduation. Hadn't been in there in 25 years and may never be in there again (the four of the remaining six pack will bite the dust at some point.) So many lifelong memories born in that building.
Then BBQ @ Black Dog in Urbana and back out on 74 to Indy overnight as the sun set behind us. Then a fabulous breakfast in south Indy and six hours at The Upstairs Pub in Bloomington watching four ball games simultaneously, drinking beer, and chatting with the students, all of whom were unfailingly kind and good natured, before heading to the stadium for the game. Raucous atmosphere in Memorial Stadium, packed, in a frenzy for their team, just incredible energy that gave me chills.
And then the entire reason for our trip, the apex: the game.
I noticed that in giant block letters inside the tunnel through which the IU players enter the field is emblazoned "DO YOUR JOB"
Gentlemen, I know you're 18-22 yrs old. But your job is to play football not only competently, but with heart, tenacity and, above all, self-respect. Get yourselves together asap this week and read Joan Didion while you're at it. Well, maybe tonight, before anything else. And then please go out on Saturday morning and kick USC's a$$.
Because I am well pi$$ed off tonight having returned home 86 hours after I departed and having enjoyed ~ 84-1/2 of those hours completely and deliriously, with some happy memories that I'll take to my grave. I paid handsomely for my seat to see you perform, only to sit through that complete horror of an unraveling. Maybe I'd feel more charitable if the basketball team hadn't subjected me to a similar experience in MSG last February. I have now, within seven months, paid extremely well to sit through the worst defeat in 120 years of Illini basketball in NYC and, in Bloomington last night, among a handful of the worst, and perhaps the most disappointing, in 135 years of football.
The last time I left an Illini game early it was 1986 v. Nebraska. NU scored on a pick-six on the initial play of the game. It was 28-0 after 1Q, 38-7 at half, 52-7 after 3Q, and 59-14 at the end. Last night was, of course, different, because expectations were so (and too) high.
In Sept '86 I simply walked down from the east balcony and across Peabody Drive. This weekend consumed somewhat more effort.
The only positive thing that occurred to us after around 8:20 ET last night was that we buggered off after the hot-knife-through-butter initial IU drive of the second half made it 42-10, and got to the car just as it began to rain heavily. So there's that. In addition, it rained hard enough to wash the sheet of encrusted dead insects off the windshield on the way back to Indy. Didn't need to use the squeegee when I gassed up at 8 a.m. So there's that, too.
I must have said to my bro at least a half-dozen times between last night and this evening: "Man, I'm really glad we decided to leave a day early and spend a day in Champaign."
To all of you who have endured season after season of misery in the stands, I know I sound like a spoiled child. I'm sorry. I don't intend to. All of you have depth and character of fandom via your consistent support over years if not decades that, frankly, I lack. I just felt taken last night, like a rube in a confidence game. I know lots of other fans did, too. It sucks. While I could keep that to myself, I decided not to, partially 'cause I wanted to share my experience on campus and how much I love our university and cherish the Midwest. And, let's be clear, because I want to vent.
Unfortunately, a pony does not exist in this pile of manure. I'm not even bothering to look. Spread it wide and fertilize something that will grow. Quickly, please. If something precious indeed is at the center of the pile, well, great. Use it.
Let's BBQ a goat at tailgate for Homecoming.... Somehow we got freaking cursed!!!! Invite priest
Been preparing for Indiana since February
So, I've said this before and I have absolutely no proof of it, but I think we're doing something to tip the snap count. I'm not saying it's Kreutz, it very well could be Luke, but on most snaps, the defensive reaction time is lightning fast, much faster than everyone on our line who isn't Kreutz.
Maybe it's a timing thing that Bart needs to take out the high speed camera and try to fine tune. Maybe he needs to try looking at video to see if the defense is keying in on anything. Or maybe he needs to switch out snap counts or have Luke go hard count, but I honestly think something is going on here. Because you are correct it seems the only linemen that are firing immediately off the snap are Kreutz and the entire defense. And that’s been consistent for Kreutz-Altmyer.
I just think there's something here that the opponents have figured out that we're missing as every defense we've played seems to have supernatural response
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
I have no idea what either of those terms mean!!
So I guess the answer is "no." I assume that's some sort of finite element program. No. I worked in the brand new CFD lab located at the time in a small room in the center of the open floor that composed most of the building's center. And had an office on the catwalk up by the roof on the south side overlooking the open ground floor level below. '89-'90. Long before they filled in the open bay with offices from ground to roof. Or, for that matter, razed the small saw-toothed buildings to the west between MEL and what used to be Burrill Avenue, and built the engineering quad. There also used to be the university fire station directly behind Engineering Hall where the open plaza along the Boneyard is now located.Geez, I'm getting old. "Back in my day..."
Forget Joan Didion, they should just read this post.
aiwpfan
- Springfield, Il
My time there was in the late '70's as vendor support for that computer system. There was a guy named Lenny Lopez who had assembled a crew of bit-nerds and they wrote a million-line FORTRAN simulation program for stress analysis. While I was there one of the things they were consulting on was a job where someone was moving a gigantic magnet from the west coast to Fermi. They were evaluating the stress the magnet would have on each bridge along the route. Crazy stuff.I have no idea what either of those terms mean!!
Geez, I'm getting old. "Back in my day..."
Illini4Chief
- TENNESSEE
More amazing is how fast some lower tiered programs zip to the top. Indiana was a so/so team for years.....they quickly are back on top....and quickly
They only bring so many players on the travel roster some guys have to play even if you are up 50 or down 50. The DBs were so hurt n especially.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Okay, here are my semi-cooled down Monday morning thoughts ... kind of interesting mix of getting some distance from the game but still mostly being "emotional" or fan-based takes or whatever:
1. That was easily the worst performance of the Bielema Era. Someone brought up the 2021 Wisconsin Homecoming loss (24-0 shutout), but that was his first year ... I remember being PUMPED that he walked in and had us at 5-7, playing better toward the end of the season and within a few close losses of a literal 8-win season! That's not comparable to this year.
2. On that note, that is the ONE scenario I didn't think was possible - and I bet even the ~pessimists~ would have agreed. Even in a scenario where we got blown out, I was picturing something like Purdue 2023 - a close game in the early third quarter gets away from us. To come out and look like boys among men and to just get flat-out embarrassed really took some of the wind out of this year's sails, if you ask me. I mean, we are one play with totally blown coverage by IU and one FG away from replicating the 63-0 Iowa loss ... which was the worst in school history. When you are the #9 team in the country - overrated or not - that is a HUGELY shocking defeat.
3. However, I totally reject this hyperbolic Paper Tiger narrative. Were we super overrated at #9? Looks that way. Could we not even be a top 25 team? Honestly, maybe. However, this hysteria discounting all of last year is insane. Let's discount all luck from our opponents and agree that it was only OUR luck that got us wins vs. Kansas, Nebraska, Rutgers, etc ... we still beat two teams that proved themselves by the end of the season to be very good - Michigan and South Carolina. The latter, specifically, was nothing short of a statement that we can beat good teams on big stages, and it STILL IS. It shouldn't be erased because of a bad loss the following year. We must divorce the idea that "we were never the #9 team in the nation" and "last year was a smokescreen." We were #20 when we beat South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl, and maybe that is where we should have started this year! There is a lot of middle ground.
4. With all that said, I do worry that we have a uniquely psychologically negative and fickle (when it comes to our casual fans) fan base, and I feel beating USC is imperative to maintain momentum. One game really can carry that much weight. If we beat #21 USC on Big Noon Kickoff in front of an electric atmosphere in Champaign, the narrative IMMEDIATELY shifts to Indiana being an actual national contender who was astonishingly underrated to start the year, and Illinois is still a really good team that can make noise this year. If we suffer another beatdown, the narrative becomes that we were never good, we can't hang with any team that has any real athletes/star talent and we're the same ole Illinois that isn't worth emotionally investing in if you are a more casual fan. Neither is probably 100% fair or accurate, but that's what I think will happen.
5. We have our second of three weddings in four weeks on Friday in Wine Country for my childhood best friend. This USC game will be on at 9:00 am PST, and I am depressed to say that I am going to try to not watch until the second half ... it will allow me to be a bit more present with the groomsmen as we get ready, and I need to try to not let Illinois sports affect my mood during real life events that matter! With that said, I will never be able to help myself from bleeding orange and blue ... after a few morning drinks, if we at least look like we got our heads right and we aren't getting our butts whooped, I'm turning the game on and getting ready to get hurt again!
6. I love that @mattcoldagelli started a thread instituting a much needed "vibe shift" for the site, and I will try to help here. The day before Bret's first game, we were coming off of a 2-win season, we were averaging like 35k fans per game and I believe our over/under was like 4 wins for the season. I'll be as disappointed as anyone else if this season can't act as an actual springboard to continued improvement, but let's all remember that the idea of a 7-8 wins per year program that sold out big home games, had donors fully mobilized with things like $100 million gifts and a Memorial Stadium renovation on the books seemed like nothing short of a pipe dream. I-L-L!
1. That was easily the worst performance of the Bielema Era. Someone brought up the 2021 Wisconsin Homecoming loss (24-0 shutout), but that was his first year ... I remember being PUMPED that he walked in and had us at 5-7, playing better toward the end of the season and within a few close losses of a literal 8-win season! That's not comparable to this year.
2. On that note, that is the ONE scenario I didn't think was possible - and I bet even the ~pessimists~ would have agreed. Even in a scenario where we got blown out, I was picturing something like Purdue 2023 - a close game in the early third quarter gets away from us. To come out and look like boys among men and to just get flat-out embarrassed really took some of the wind out of this year's sails, if you ask me. I mean, we are one play with totally blown coverage by IU and one FG away from replicating the 63-0 Iowa loss ... which was the worst in school history. When you are the #9 team in the country - overrated or not - that is a HUGELY shocking defeat.
3. However, I totally reject this hyperbolic Paper Tiger narrative. Were we super overrated at #9? Looks that way. Could we not even be a top 25 team? Honestly, maybe. However, this hysteria discounting all of last year is insane. Let's discount all luck from our opponents and agree that it was only OUR luck that got us wins vs. Kansas, Nebraska, Rutgers, etc ... we still beat two teams that proved themselves by the end of the season to be very good - Michigan and South Carolina. The latter, specifically, was nothing short of a statement that we can beat good teams on big stages, and it STILL IS. It shouldn't be erased because of a bad loss the following year. We must divorce the idea that "we were never the #9 team in the nation" and "last year was a smokescreen." We were #20 when we beat South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl, and maybe that is where we should have started this year! There is a lot of middle ground.
4. With all that said, I do worry that we have a uniquely psychologically negative and fickle (when it comes to our casual fans) fan base, and I feel beating USC is imperative to maintain momentum. One game really can carry that much weight. If we beat #21 USC on Big Noon Kickoff in front of an electric atmosphere in Champaign, the narrative IMMEDIATELY shifts to Indiana being an actual national contender who was astonishingly underrated to start the year, and Illinois is still a really good team that can make noise this year. If we suffer another beatdown, the narrative becomes that we were never good, we can't hang with any team that has any real athletes/star talent and we're the same ole Illinois that isn't worth emotionally investing in if you are a more casual fan. Neither is probably 100% fair or accurate, but that's what I think will happen.
5. We have our second of three weddings in four weeks on Friday in Wine Country for my childhood best friend. This USC game will be on at 9:00 am PST, and I am depressed to say that I am going to try to not watch until the second half ... it will allow me to be a bit more present with the groomsmen as we get ready, and I need to try to not let Illinois sports affect my mood during real life events that matter! With that said, I will never be able to help myself from bleeding orange and blue ... after a few morning drinks, if we at least look like we got our heads right and we aren't getting our butts whooped, I'm turning the game on and getting ready to get hurt again!
6. I love that @mattcoldagelli started a thread instituting a much needed "vibe shift" for the site, and I will try to help here. The day before Bret's first game, we were coming off of a 2-win season, we were averaging like 35k fans per game and I believe our over/under was like 4 wins for the season. I'll be as disappointed as anyone else if this season can't act as an actual springboard to continued improvement, but let's all remember that the idea of a 7-8 wins per year program that sold out big home games, had donors fully mobilized with things like $100 million gifts and a Memorial Stadium renovation on the books seemed like nothing short of a pipe dream. I-L-L!
Battle89
- Cary-Grove, the better Trojan team
Trip high point being "didn't need to squeegee dead bugs off my windshield"... instant entry to the Illini futility poetry library.I'm a glass-half-full guy and trained myself as a young man to look for the pony in the pile of manure.
@Retro62 and I had a fantastic four-day road trip from DC to the Great Midwest. 1,500 miles round trip. Gorgeous, warm weather (a bit hot for me but no complaints.) Beautiful country, from the Appalachian Mts in Western MD, WVa and PA, through the rich flatlands from Ohio to Champaign (literally, IIRC: "the plain.") Wonderful coffee and pastry at a café in German Village in Columbus. The Hoosier Gym in Knightstown, IN where the game footage in the film was shot. our second visit in two years. Friendly people proud of their landmark; interesting conversation about the place, chills down my spine to be able to chuck up a few Js in that gym. Dinner at The Beef House. Drving into the sunset to Champaign. Walking through campus to Murphy's for a beer (my first time there since the Saturday night Michigan game weekend in Sept 2000.) Breakfast at Merry Ann's that stuck with us well into the afternoon (thanks, @illinoisfootball for the rec). Wandering through campus, alive with students and activity. The union; Lincoln Hall theatre; Krannert; the Mechanical Engr Building and M.E. Lab (where I visited my old office and chatted with its current inhabitants about my work there in the Stone Age of computing); the main library in all its incredible wood-paneled glory; the Armory; Smith Memorial Hall where we sat in silence in the auditorium admiring its mahogany and Beaux Arts majesty (and were treated to a mini recital by a student); and the chef's kiss... at the end of the afternoon getting into Scott Hall where I was an R.A. my JR/SR years and where @Retro62 lived, too. Seeing the old hallways and my old door. Walking those stairwells that I knew so well. Recalling the guys on my floor. I still have the pewter mug a group of them gave me for graduation. Hadn't been in there in 25 years and may never be in there again (the four of the remaining six pack will bite the dust at some point.) So many lifelong memories born in that building.
Then BBQ @ Black Dog in Urbana and back out on 74 to Indy overnight as the sun set behind us. Then a fabulous breakfast in south Indy and six hours at The Upstairs Pub in Bloomington watching four ball games simultaneously, drinking beer, and chatting with the students, all of whom were unfailingly kind and good natured, before heading to the stadium for the game. Raucous atmosphere in Memorial Stadium, packed, in a frenzy for their team, just incredible energy that gave me chills.
And then the entire reason for our trip, the apex: the game.
I noticed that in giant block letters inside the tunnel through which the IU players enter the field is emblazoned "DO YOUR JOB"
Gentlemen, I know you're 18-22 yrs old. But your job is to play football not only competently, but with heart, tenacity and, above all, self-respect. Get yourselves together asap this week and read Joan Didion while you're at it. Well, maybe tonight, before anything else. And then please go out on Saturday morning and kick USC's a$$.
Because I am well pi$$ed off tonight having returned home 86 hours after I departed and having enjoyed ~ 84-1/2 of those hours completely and deliriously, with some happy memories that I'll take to my grave. I paid handsomely for my seat to see you perform, only to sit through that complete horror of an unraveling. Maybe I'd feel more charitable if the basketball team hadn't subjected me to a similar experience in MSG last February. I have now, within seven months, paid extremely well to sit through the worst defeat in 120 years of Illini basketball in NYC and, in Bloomington last night, among a handful of the worst, and perhaps the most disappointing, in 135 years of football.
The last time I left an Illini game early it was 1986 v. Nebraska. NU scored on a pick-six on the initial play of the game. It was 28-0 after 1Q, 38-7 at half, 52-7 after 3Q, and 59-14 at the end. Last night was, of course, different, because expectations were so (and too) high.
In Sept '86 I simply walked down from the east balcony and across Peabody Drive. This weekend consumed somewhat more effort.
The only positive thing that occurred to us after around 8:20 ET last night was that we buggered off after the hot-knife-through-butter initial IU drive of the second half made it 42-10, and got to the car just as it began to rain heavily. So there's that. In addition, it rained hard enough to wash the sheet of encrusted dead insects off the windshield on the way back to Indy. Didn't need to use the squeegee when I gassed up at 8 a.m. So there's that, too.
I must have said to my bro at least a half-dozen times between last night and this evening: "Man, I'm really glad we decided to leave a day early and spend a day in Champaign."
To all of you who have endured season after season of misery in the stands, I know I sound like a spoiled child. I'm sorry. I don't intend to. All of you have depth and character of fandom via your consistent support over years if not decades that, frankly, I lack. I just felt taken last night, like a rube in a confidence game. I know lots of other fans did, too. It sucks. While I could keep that to myself, I decided not to, partially 'cause I wanted to share my experience on campus and how much I love our university and cherish the Midwest. And, let's be clear, because I want to vent.
Unfortunately, a pony does not exist in this pile of manure. I'm not even bothering to look. Spread it wide and fertilize something that will grow. Quickly, please. If something precious indeed is at the center of the pile, well, great. Use it.
I gave up the abuse at halftime. Mrs. Battle89 wanted to keep watching but that 2H opening drive took her out too. I am fairly broken still.
Battle89
- Cary-Grove, the better Trojan team
Not an engineer but I'll bet there are some good stories about that, sounds really interesting. Cross-country route planning based on bridge v magnet strength, cross-checked against an aging infrastructure (even back then but many times worse now).
Chuck Nuggets
Dip your nuggets in my staff source sauce.
Illinois was ranked #9 and got humiliated in a 63-10 pummeling that could have been 77-10. It looked like a high school team vs. Alabama. The worst loss ever for a top-10 team.
So, yeah, apologies for being "fickle."
Unacceptable …
Put a WR in at DB … Put someone in … I don’t give a rats …
Robert Jones freshman DB traveled … He should’ve been in … Where was Karriem at ?? He should’ve been in earlier … Tyson Rooks …
We’ve got other options …
Matt Bailey, T Cox and Luke Altmyer in down 50 is flat out unacceptable …
I can nearly guarantee Bret will say “can’t let one bad week turn into two” … Well that starts with HIM … No need to risk half your top paid guys in a blowout loss …
And to everyone saying “oh you wouldn’t say that to him” …
You bet your
I would and I have … I didn’t like the answer and neither did many of the donors who are cutting the checks for these kids …
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Also good freshman reps for guys like Xanai Scott, RJ Jones.
- Status