Game Thread: Illinois vs Ohio State

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#726      
FloridaMan
The Galloping Ghost said:
This team is too old and experienced to be making the kinds of mistakes we're making with this opportunity. That to me is the really frustrating part. Figure it out on the first drive of the half, get some points, and just give us a chance.
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TE's have been super disappointing this season. Numerous missed blocks and penalties. Mental mistakes have definitely been a problem in all phases.
 
#729      
TheChief4Life
abchew2 said:
Offense does seem to struggle and fall apart against good-great defenses which sucks but not something to hold us back from having a great last half to the season.
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This. I don’t want to get “embarrassed” at home against OSU, but after today, we have a more than manage final five games.

If (still an if) we can’t come back and win this game, I still see no reason we can’t finish this season 10-2.

But let’s shoot for 11-1 🙂
 
#730      
NASchamp
Can’t keep shooting ourselves in the foot in a game like this.

Had to play almost perfect and we’ve been anything but…

Offense has moved the ball a good bit but can’t seem to get the big play.

Defense is….not good. Had some good stops but they can throw on our secondary all day (as can most teams).
 
#733      
UCantHideYer
Three most noticeable mismatches of the game:
1) OSU receivers over our secondsry
2) OSU officials
3) Our receivers over their secondary
 
#738      
BrownTown
Luke is not playing up to his potential. Or anywhere near it. Most upsetting part
 
#741      
BammBamm77
To be honest, our Db's have played much cleaner most of this year...
I don't like what I see today at all, called p.i. or not.
 
#743      
TentakilRex
This is what a boss character looks like
 
#744      
rpare92
Luke could have the game of his life and this defense would give it away.
 
#745      
Juju
I'm not one for blaming game outcomes on refs(usually, both teams suffer bad calls/non-calls, so, while it shouldn't happen, it evens out a lot of the time), but THIS...this is absolutely 100% a COMPLETELY different game at halftime if the refs called even a remotely fair game. This ish has gone on in sports for WAY too long. And when a coach dares to get in the emotionally-sensitive zebras' faces or go off on them in the post-game presser, they're fined or, in extreme cases, suspended.

If we were getting beaten by OSU from mostly our own idiocy(which we definitely have made some boneheaded mistakes) it'd be one thing. But it is incontrovertible that we would be much closer, possibly even leading at half, if the refs weren't worshipping the precious Buckeyes. Hell, even on reviews, if the ref is obviously biased and makes a horrible review call, nothing happens to him. No consequences. It NEEDS to end. They're affecting FAR too many games in every sport, facing zero consequences, and at what point is enough enough? And how do we, as fans, force change? It's maddening!
 
#747      
skyIdub
therealmiket86 said:
I get that X being out changes things but it’s crazy we went from almost exclusively being in man to this extremely soft zone
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It's the difference of having a true playmaker that can shut down and free up the rest of the DB's, and untested young DB's trying.

It gives the DC so much flexibility.
 
#748      
IlliniWatcher
It's winnable - if the DL buckles down. We've played lousy first-half games before and come back to win.

Yesterday, i was thinking of all the pluses that would come from a win today:

- Surge in the rankings for knocking off the #1 team
- Huge buzz for Bielema as coach of the year
- Serious talk about Altmeyer as a Heisman candidate
- And, of course, being bowl-eligible after just 7 games

Illinois has proven they can play all 60 minutes before. They just need to do it here.

Also, this is a mental game. If the guys deep-down think they won't beat OSU, they won't. I hope Bielema charges them up mentally in the locker room.

As for the bookies and critics, we saw this many times last season. We weren't favored to win and got the W anyway. Disrespect is nothing new for this squad.

Let's all think positive for the second half!
 
#749      
Mr. Roberts
Bad breaks -
Tight End not a catch after being thrown OB.
Bowick not a TD catch after being mugged.
Valentine fumble/dismemberment.
Deflected INT.
Punter kneel down turnover.

Bad plays -
Clement drop near end of half.
Altmyer sacks - got to get rid of it.
A couple of overthrows and balls behind recievers.
More 3rd and long conversions on us.

And yet its still a game. Very different feel fromthe IU game.
 
#750      
skyIdub
TentakilRex said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1977049837217382564
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well-there-it-is.gif
 
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