Indiana 63, Illinois 10 Postgame
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I was at this game - big crowd, a lot of excitement before the game. 2 minutes in it was over. Nebraska was just at a different level physically back then than pretty much everyone else. Some of the southern or west coast schools could make up for it with speed, but Nebraska just came at you with waves of big, physical kids that wore you outShane Lamb **shudder**
At 34 you have plenty of time to get to where we elders are. Trust me, you'll get there. You're correct, there isn't something in the water in Champaign but the anticipated outcomes are real and only time will reveal them for you.
I assume this is just as much for their players as the media. They made beating us look easy. The last thing he wants is for his team to think its always going to be easy...
He's almost certainly right. Iowa will probably put up more of a fight. We didn't provide much resistance at all.
Besides, they already whipped us. Who cares if you give bulletin board material to a team you won't play again?
If you look at the video... it really wasn't in much of a "trashing" manner. More-so in regards to getting his team ready to play, but some won't appreciate the wording used.
Yeah, that was kind of my point... but some people were saying he's an "embarrassment" for saying that.. and I'm like really?
we got beat by 53 points.. let's just take the L here and move on.I was in south end zone on the field. I got a closeup of a very unhappy Butkus walking on to the field to have his jersey retired.
I don't believe that this is by necessity a 'given'.. and I certainly hope its NOT... While it has been our history - our experience, that doesn't mean it has to continue that way... All empires fall, all Regimes change over time. Sometimes it's a long time, and sometimes it's a shock that happens with a crushing blow. Power structures in athletics change all the time. Just because we 'elders' feel the pains of our experience, it doesn't mean that the young should resign themselves to this same pain...
mhuml32
Gesture of Northern Aggression
Having a few days to reflect, I keep landing on this: The Indiana game outcome is just so surprising. There are complaints about the team, but almost all of the models were showing the team was trending better than expected when considering everything. There were folks that expected a loss or a tight game, but the final score and stats just create some many questions and, for the first time, doubts about the staff. Those doubts are what's creeping into the future outlook and making the fans uncomfortable. Is the Indiana drubbing a sign of things to come? If the WIU-Duke-WMU game are better indicators, how can I level what just happened in Bloomington?
Part of the fun and risk of fandom is the unknown but so many of us felt so certain where the program was heading.
Part of the fun and risk of fandom is the unknown but so many of us felt so certain where the program was heading.
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
We can all say that it is just one game last Saturday. The problem is that all three of the prior games showed indicators of what was to happen in Bloomington. They were just masked by the fact that those three teams lacked depth and wore down in second half (or made numerous self-enforced errors).
The Illini struggled to run the ball throughout the season (until we were finally able to wear opposition out), and Altmyer was pressured/sacked a lot. The defense showed vulnerability (even when healthy), but were able to take advantage of opponent mistakes to get turnovers. The harsh reality is that this team is much closer to a 6 win team than a 10 win (CFP bound) team we were all hoping for going into season. Many of us mocked those that said we would only win 7 games this season, and with 1/3 of the season played, it is hard to disagree with them now (especially with injuries compounding). We are still 3-1, which is what many of us considered a good start to the season, but warning signs are abound. The toughest part of our schedule is the five game stretch from IU to Washington. We got off to a terrible start there. It is not hard to envision that the Illini are 4-4 heading into November, maybe even 3-5 if everything collapses. This 5 game stretch really is that difficult.
Returning starter count can be overrated if the returning starters aren’t elite level players. Guys with a lot of experience don’t get much better between their junior and senior years.
And last year the advanced stats showed a pretty large gap between IU and IL.
This year there’s been warning signs with the O Line prior to IU. And if the offense cant control the football, IU will blow you out like they have every team at home.
Some people dismissed the 0-7 stats vs top 45 offenses. Now it’s 0-8. Bret’s teams aren’t built to win shootouts. And with IU that was gonna be the worse matchup of the season. I think IL will play Ohio State far closer
I think in terms of a broader conclusion: we've played three games without Scott the past two years. 2nd half purdue, second half Minnesota, and Indiana.
If that particular aspect does not improve, this will be a long year. It starts with health, but also on the coaches to figure it out.
This is why I don’t get why so many people were obsessed with us going tempo. We played “fast” and our defense basically had to play a double header. You can still go no huddle without snapping the ball with 20 seconds on the play clock
mhuml32
Gesture of Northern Aggression
Fleck is the best at this. Gets everyone lined up and then adjusts the play depending on the defensive's personnel. This is even more beneficial now with the injury after lining up rule.
I agree with your point except you have to play uptempo when you are down 35-7 in the 2nd quarter if you want to play to win. If I recall correctly, the tempo was slower in the 1st quarter.
I’m sure our tempo will be slow in 1st quarter of USC.
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
Doesn't hurt when your QB implies he prefers to go tempo. Maybe last weekend was enough to dissuade him from thinking it was a good idea. Time will tell, though.
Illinivek23
- Gurnee
If so - where would we be if JC didn't come back for another year. Also - is he still rusty from plantar fasciitis issues? I'm hoping the light goes on for B.Henderson or Hansen/Shuster are able to get an opportunity and capitalize on it.
It’s not a good idea going into a game trying to get in a shoot out when we are down our top 2 corners. We can still go tempo but slow down the pace. We had something like 8 straight 3 and outs. By doing that and going fast our defense is basically on the field all game. In the second half a lot of guys gave up but it also doesn’t help that they were on the field for 40 mins. That’s when the injuries start to pile up
I’m sure it doesn’t help that a lot of the oline missed time in camp. When you have bad conditioning you play upright. That’s another thing to consider when going “fast”. Do we have the linemen to do that.
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
Not saying it was. The question was why did everyone think it was a good idea. It started with Luke saying he preferred it. Last week proves that, regardless of what he prefers, maybe (rhetorical, of course it is) it's best to let the coaching staff dictate pace and game plan.
The game was over for a long time. At that point take our key players and slow it down. We have players veteran days off in training camp but have them playing in late in 2 blow outs. Guys like Bailey and X don’t need the game reps at that point. We were either playing for style points or playing them in those situations to build their conditioning.
They were playing to win until Indiana scored in the first possession after halftime. I understand your point but you can’t quit in the 2nd quarter.
A lot of fans want it because they want to see an exciting offense. It doesn’t mean we need to become Iowa offensively. But let’s not pretend we are Oregon. Saturday it was very clear that IU was much more explosive.
No one is saying quit in the 2nd quarter but why have Luke in the 4th quarter of a blow out.
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