Pregame: Illinois vs Ohio State, Saturday, October 11th, 11:00am CT, FOX
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Every year, it seems that Ryan Day has one game in which he inexplicably decides to channel Ron Zook or Lovie Smith in his game day coaching. We have to hope next Saturday is that game in 2025, because otherwise it will be a 52-6 type beat down. We just do not match up well with OSU at all. Luke will be running for his life all day, and Smith & Tate will set YAC records against our secondary.
TheFlyingIllini1317
- Chicago, IL
Just find a way to make this somehow competitive in the 4th. OSU looks like the best team in the country right now by far.
Day doesn’t have those losses. You are thinking of Urban Meyer. Day has 10 losses in his career. Only 1 came against an unranked team, Michigan last year.
This such a “ house money” game, with a 14.5 point spread and ESPN analytics giving Illinois less that an 18% chance of winning.
It’s a perfect opportunity to be bold with both offensive and defensive game plans to try and flip the script. For example, move Jacas all over the line to create the best matchup and bring pressure from different directions on all passing downs. I’m not worried about giving up big plays; if we’re conservative, OSU will likely grind us into the turf.
It’s a perfect opportunity to be bold with both offensive and defensive game plans to try and flip the script. For example, move Jacas all over the line to create the best matchup and bring pressure from different directions on all passing downs. I’m not worried about giving up big plays; if we’re conservative, OSU will likely grind us into the turf.
Dan
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FOX Big Noon Kickoff is Back
FOX Big Noon Kickoff will be live from the south side of Grange Grove from 9 a.m. CT until approximately 10:15 a.m. CT before moving inside Gies Memorial Stadium for the remainder of the show. Admission to the Big Noon Kickoff area is free, and fans are encouraged to bring signs. FOX will be giving away game tickets, food, trucker hats, and other items.
https://fightingillini.com/news/202...ig-noon-kickoff-headed-back-to-champaign.aspx
FOX Big Noon Kickoff will be live from the south side of Grange Grove from 9 a.m. CT until approximately 10:15 a.m. CT before moving inside Gies Memorial Stadium for the remainder of the show. Admission to the Big Noon Kickoff area is free, and fans are encouraged to bring signs. FOX will be giving away game tickets, food, trucker hats, and other items.
https://fightingillini.com/news/202...ig-noon-kickoff-headed-back-to-champaign.aspx
If the OL that showed up against USC shows up again, we have a chance.
Regardless, I still think that Illinois has a more manageable path to 10-2 than Michigan, Penn State, USC or anyone else in conference. If B1G has four teams with two losses or less, they all are getting into the CFP.
The @Washington game is crucial. Which is why I’m going to it.
Regardless, I still think that Illinois has a more manageable path to 10-2 than Michigan, Penn State, USC or anyone else in conference. If B1G has four teams with two losses or less, they all are getting into the CFP.
The @Washington game is crucial. Which is why I’m going to it.
Bye week helps for that one!If the OL that showed up against USC shows up again, we have a chance.
Regardless, I still think that Illinois has a more manageable path to 10-2 than Michigan, Penn State, USC or anyone else in conference. If B1G has four teams with two losses or less, they all are getting into the CFP.
The @Washington game is crucial. Which is why I’m going to it.
For me, I think the main question we need to ask is how do we win this game. And when you look at OSU, they're honestly a phenomenal team. Their biggest weakness is probably at QB, which is crazy to say, but it's more about in game reps then anything, and if he's given time he'll make the throw. Every other position outside of special teams, they're better and in most cases, much much better. So how do you beat a team like?
Well, the first thought is you have to figure out how to both limit number of possessions and get them to settle for field goals on the scoring drives they have while cashing in on our own. Now we do have a very good QB and some WRs who can make plays, but OSU'S defense is about at the level of those elite Iowa defenses where you might get 4 scoring opportunities at most in the game. And in fact they've only given up 25pts all season.
A good offensive game against this OSU team probably looks like 17pts. And an optimal offensive game might get you 24. That's not great especially when you consider OSU'S skill on offense and how our defense has struggled.
So the scores we're looking at to win this game is something like: 20-19, 17-16. Something of that ilk, where we make the most of the limited scoring opportunities we have and frustrate OSU and make them settle. So that means no big plays, and grind this game into slobberknocker football. Keep their players in front us, run downhill, and absolutely pop them at every opportunity, mix up coverage hoping to lull Sayin into some bad throws, get pressure, and have some heroic play from the secondary and linebackers.
And then on the other side of the ball we need to grind out drives, figure out a way to get 3yds a carry, to get to 3rd and short, and to stay on the field. Long, draining drives. And scheme up some absolutely brilliant stuff to get it in the endzone.
That's how we win this game, and while it looks near impossible to do, that's likely the only way we win. It's a tough calling, it is, and we're going to need special days from multiple players, but that's really it.
So no big plays allowed, a return to B10 West 3yds and a cloud of dust football, and keep this game as tight as you can and give Luke a chance to win it in the 4th quarter. While I think it's highly highly unlikely we do it, I do think we can.
And if we can just give Luke a shot, well, I think we'd be fools to doubt him.
We need our best game of the season, but my gut feel is we get it. The question will be will it even be close to enough?
blackdog
- Champaign
Add in on the offensive side cant have the TFLs and negative plays. Getting in 3rd and long is going to be a recipe for disaster. Another big key is can the offensive line keep OSU from being able to bring pressure with just their front 4. If they have to bring extra guys to get pressure on Luke or the offensive line can give him time he will find holes.
Illini at 10-2 will only get in the CFP if OSU game is very competitive. Two blowout losses + no great wins = no playoffs (as it should be).
4th place in the BT at 10-2 gets us into the CFP. If we are 5th place (or worse) then no.
illini80
- Forgottonia
I’ve decided I’m going to enjoy the day. Any positivity from the game will be a bonus. OSU is unlikely to shoot themselves in the foot or drop 10 passes like PU did, but if we can play sound fundamental ball and stay healthy I’ll take whatever the result is. We still have a shot at a great season.
I am not predicting this type of game but I saw it live and remember it vividly. Homecoming 1968 has Illinois against Ohio State. The buckeyes are ranked second nationally with all american Rex Kern at QB. They rolled all over us in the first half 24-0 and they get the ball to start the 2nd half.
Ohio St gets a couple of first downs and on third and five Kern hits his receiver right in the hands but as he is bringing it in, he collides with an official and drops the ball. They punt and we methodically drive the ball down the field 3-4-5 yards at a time. We score and go for 2, getting it by running over the right side. 24-8
Ohio State gets the ball, gets a couple of first downs but we stiffen and they punt.
We methodically drive the ball down the field 3-4-5 yards at a time.. We score and go for 2, getting it by running over the right side. 24-16
Deja vu all over again. We force a punt and get the ball with about 10 minutes left. Everybody is standing for this entire drive and the place is starting to go bonkers. Of course we scored and with everybody screaming 2,2,2, we go for 2. Of course we got it by running over the right side 24-24.
With about 3 minutes left. Ken Kmiec blitzes from the blindside and decleates Kern knocking him out of the game. Macejowski the Ohio St backup throws the bomb on his first play and we lose 31-24.
We were 1-9 that year and almost a quarter of the points we scored all season were in the 2nd half of the Ohio State. Who goes 3 for 3 in 2 point conversions.
Its bleak looking Saturday but I've seen stranger things. Never give up.
Ohio St gets a couple of first downs and on third and five Kern hits his receiver right in the hands but as he is bringing it in, he collides with an official and drops the ball. They punt and we methodically drive the ball down the field 3-4-5 yards at a time. We score and go for 2, getting it by running over the right side. 24-8
Ohio State gets the ball, gets a couple of first downs but we stiffen and they punt.
We methodically drive the ball down the field 3-4-5 yards at a time.. We score and go for 2, getting it by running over the right side. 24-16
Deja vu all over again. We force a punt and get the ball with about 10 minutes left. Everybody is standing for this entire drive and the place is starting to go bonkers. Of course we scored and with everybody screaming 2,2,2, we go for 2. Of course we got it by running over the right side 24-24.
With about 3 minutes left. Ken Kmiec blitzes from the blindside and decleates Kern knocking him out of the game. Macejowski the Ohio St backup throws the bomb on his first play and we lose 31-24.
We were 1-9 that year and almost a quarter of the points we scored all season were in the 2nd half of the Ohio State. Who goes 3 for 3 in 2 point conversions.
Its bleak looking Saturday but I've seen stranger things. Never give up.
What a terrible attitude to have….
You can just do that with Hank.
Epsilon
M tipping over
- Pdx
Yeah that probably came off worse than I meant it to. I just took so much crap from my friends after the IU loss.
At 10-2, and the 4th B10 team, very likely you'll be in the playoff.
What's inapt about comments like these is that you're not taking into account the surrounding landscape. Penn State just lost to UCLA, USC has a head to head loss to Illinois itself. There's a lot more bad out there than having two losses to two top 5 teams (albeit blowouts).
Certainly more value in winning the games you're supposed to win than people realize. OSU is a house money game, considering the talent disparity.
We have an opportunity to make history on Saturday. Man to man, they are more talented than us. But that's why the games are played. Talent does not always prevail. That's why they played the Penn State-UCLA game and look what happened there.
I want so badly to win this game.
Illini 42
Buckeyes 41
......in an instant OT thriller classic!!!!!
I want so badly to win this game.
Illini 42
Buckeyes 41
......in an instant OT thriller classic!!!!!
10-2 Illinois will not be rated ahead of a 10-2 Michigan.
Just compete. People put too much stock in the IU game
So its a given that they'll go cross country and beat USC?
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