Game Thread: Illinois vs USC

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#2      
aaeismacgychel
Prior to the start of this season, I had us losing this game if we beat Indiana, and winning this game in a slugfest if we lost to Indiana. USC is a good team but much of the last decade they've also been a frontrunner, destroying teams OOC to start the season and losing to the first team that played physical and punched them in the mouth and they'd never recover the rest of the season.


The question is are we going to be that team today? That team that lights them up whenever they catch the ball and makes their receivers hear footsteps, the team that makes their QB start fearing for his life, the team imposes it's will on their defense by mauling them at the line, getting into 3rd and shorts and converting them into 1st downs until they just start breaking down.


And truthfully, I'm not so sure. On defense, we haven't been getting much pressure from our line, opposing QBs have been pretty comfortable in the pocket, our LBs haven't been taking good angles and the tackling has been subpar, and our coverage has been questionable. And on offense, we've really struggled with not immediately losing the line of scrimmage, let alone winning it.


That said, very little motivates a team and makes an opposing team feel complacent than getting yourself embarrassed the game before on national TV. I think people underestimate how much injuries hurt us, how much not having Bowick and Xavier especially hurt us. I think we come out nasty, physical, and angry. And I think we do give this USC team a game. If we are able to physically hurt them, we will win this game, but we need to make them earn every yard, every first down, every possession.


Much like we did against Michigan last year, we need to channel our inner Dick Butkus today. Punish them. Hurt them. And make them give up. Because that's how you beat USC. The question is can we do it?


Illinois: 27
USC: 23
 
#4      
logjam
20241119_111755.jpg

Let’s get back on track...!
 
#9      
altgeld88
BZuppke said:
turnovers tell the tale today and we’ll be in plus territory. Fighting Illini 35. USC 24
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I’m sorry that you’re residing on Fourth Street and not First. At least you can hear BNS crowd. :illinois:
 
#11      
Ryllini
What is the biggest turnaround from defeat to a victory? Has a team ever lost by 53 in conference and then won the next week?
Let the people dwell on the last thing they saw of our Illini.
Illinois 27 - USC 24
 
#14      
Second place is 1st loser
moonpies88 said:
Am i wrong in saying this game makes or breaks the season?

A loss could ruin any excitement from people who have finally bought in.

A win shows last week was a blip
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Depends on what your expectations were before the year. Mine was 8-4(at best), but more than likely 7-5. So, for me, no, it's not as big as it's made out to be. Get to a bowl game and it's a success.
 
#17      
gibb52
Move the sticks any way you can. Pile up TOP and be plus by a decent margin in that category. Of course put some points on the board while keep their O off the field as much as possible. Please no stupid penalties. If we can do that we will will win. If it's a shootout I don't like our chances.

We will find out today if our OL troubles were really just "poor technique and communication" or just poor linemen overmatched against higher level competition.

I am a little worried that some of the guys who got banged up last week and are a go today will be playing at less than healthy and will get hurt again today. I hope to be wrong.

This is a hard game to predict. USC is no joke. Having said that they aren't 2025 Indiana, and are playing an early game on the road in CDT, an area where west coast teams have struggled in the past.
 
#19      
Oracle21
If you lose today the Illini will probably be 4-4 after 8 games which at that point I’m not sure there will be much enthusiasm for the team other than from the diehards that want any low level bowl game
 
#25      
Illini2010-11
Second place is 1st loser said:
Depends on what your expectations were before the year. Mine was 8-4(at best), but more than likely 7-5. So, for me, no, it's not as big as it's made out to be. Get to a bowl game and it's a success.
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It might be successful for you, but only making a bowl game (6 wins) with one of the most experienced teams in the conference, it is hard to see that as a success (what fanbase would be happy with 6-6 after starting season ranked 12?). The bar was set higher due to the success of last season. Yes, it would be back-to-back bowl games for the first time in over 30 years, but I think it would damage the perceptions of the non-die hard fans.

Good news is that there is still a lot for this season to play out.
 
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