Pretty confident that you'll be 5-0, 3-2 after Saturday.
Pregame: Illinois vs USC, Saturday, September 27th, 11:00am CT, FOX
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This game is going to confirm what we knew (or should have known because it was painfully obvious) since the Duke game. Both lines aren't good and if we can't get to the QB without blitzing, the DBs are sub par and will be exposed. Many wanted to focus on the score there, but completely ignored the first half of Duke's myriad and sometimes comical set of mistakes. We could have and probably should have been down, at least, two scores ...a 28-14 type deal. The numbers got skewed because Duke was in throw mode in the second half after it started with more awful Duke mistakes. Cignetti is a jag bag, but he was right.
The game against Western Michigan was much of the same. If the Western Michigan coach just kicks the FG before the half, they got the ball to start the second half in a one score game. Mediocre teams with mediocre coaches do things like that.
The Indiana outcome was a pretty easy one to call because of all of the above. In a million years would I have ever guessed 63-10 and pure embarrassment, but I figured 38-17 was definitely on the table.
Seeing a similar outcome vs USC. They might not have the burners that Indiana does, but they are big and physical. Not seeing how we overcome that.
USC. 41
Illinois. 17
Close game in the first half, we get worn down and let up some back breakers in the second half.
The game against Western Michigan was much of the same. If the Western Michigan coach just kicks the FG before the half, they got the ball to start the second half in a one score game. Mediocre teams with mediocre coaches do things like that.
The Indiana outcome was a pretty easy one to call because of all of the above. In a million years would I have ever guessed 63-10 and pure embarrassment, but I figured 38-17 was definitely on the table.
Seeing a similar outcome vs USC. They might not have the burners that Indiana does, but they are big and physical. Not seeing how we overcome that.
USC. 41
Illinois. 17
Close game in the first half, we get worn down and let up some back breakers in the second half.
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
passed on a free ticket and ride to this game from my bro. that says it all about how this game's going to go, IMO. I'd love to be dead wrong
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
OPPOSITE: I'm flying in for a 4-day weekend hoping to see a Homecoming upset! (Not predicting one; just hoping for it.)
Believe!! I know the chips are down but remeber it wasnt over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor!! I know it makes no logical sense.... I know the coaching saff has muffed this.... But by God I just have a feeling!!!! The Nation needs its strongest warrirors come turn the tide.... We need you Obi One Kenobi your our only hope.... ILL
MSU and PU both moved the ball against SC, PU with 300 in the air. Will be very curious to see the attitude this week.. do you lay down after a drubbing, or play with some urgency and fire to respond. Was hoping to get to the OSU game with one loss. Seems like everyone but XScott should be there on D, so hopefully no excuses from a secondary group that was pumped up preseason.
Have a feeling we somehow force four turnovers and USC looks ahead to Mich.
ILL 45 USC 24.
Have a feeling we somehow force four turnovers and USC looks ahead to Mich.
ILL 45 USC 24.
Somedays you got to bleed for what you love!! Ill be there too... ILL
Me three. I also have faith in a better outcome. Much more likely to be able to move the ball against USC, and even if they can too, the D will look better just by not being on the field for 40+ mins
I will be there as well...first game I've seen in MS since 2016. I see us bouncing back and winning one for my sister on her B-Day
No worries we are on mission from up high my friends.... Hell we are all gonna die anyways might as well go out bleeding orange and blue!!! If any of us were ever on the smart money we wouldnt of made it to here....lol. Now lets go out and win us a Football game!!!!!
Because he's not playing well?
This will be Bret’s most important offseason as we will be losing a lot of players and most likely coaches to a certain extent. Hitting correctly in the portal is paramount and revamping the staff, We need to get faster on both sides off the ball. That’s not Bret’s game to rely on speed as he is a control the ball guy.
I agree, he would be a load at guard who can help out Kruetz. As he is getting manhandled at center. Schuster is a tad bigger and he is more built taking on edge rushers.
The position coaches and coordinators have to be coaching this week like their job is on the line and this has to be the toughest week of practice the players have ever been through- they got their off day last Saturday so Monday- Thursday this week have to be work days and if they don’t respond against USC the season could be lost - that’s what is at stake and I refuse to believe this team won’t respond and come out firing
The talent level is there on this team- they aren’t executing well at all and the coaches are not game planning like Big Ten coaches should. Both of those things were true in our first three games, we just got away with it. Both of those things have to change on Saturday - no more excuses
The talent level is there on this team- they aren’t executing well at all and the coaches are not game planning like Big Ten coaches should. Both of those things were true in our first three games, we just got away with it. Both of those things have to change on Saturday - no more excuses
Doesn't hurt to weigh your options. The biggest issue right now is the right side (including center). You just need as many good FB players as possible.
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I misread it as playing tackle hurting his draft stock at Guard. My bad Fly
Maybe not elite, but Werner did mention in his pod Gesky and Davis have looked "okay."
it's unbelievable that we're in year 5 under bret bielema and the offensive line looks bad with no injuries. they weren't able to get a lot of push in the run game in any of their first halves this year, so we're going to have to throw and we're going to have to get the ball out quick. with the state of our defensive backfield, the offense will basically have to look totally different than it has all year in order for us to stay in this one.
I trust that Lunney and Luke will get the offense figured out. We will score 30+ in this one. It's the defense trying to stop this USC offense that is worrying me.
This is exactly the crux that our season rests on.
I’ve seen enough out of this defense to say we have unfixable, legitimately limiting issues that they can’t be relied upon.
We’ve got a third year in the same system qb, experience at every position. If Lunney is worth anything, this team can put up 30 against any defense outside the top 15. Nut up time on offense IMO.
Essentially having a singular play be our offensive production against Indiana is my unforgivable.
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