This. I hate that not many people are mentioning this.
Illinois has looked “eh” this year as a whole (driven by the less than “eh” defense), but it’s also been in a schedule that has proven to be much tougher than we envisioned.
Washington 42, Illinois 25 Postgame
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Illinois has looked “eh” this year as a whole (driven by the less than “eh” defense), but it’s also been in a schedule that has proven to be much tougher than we envisioned.
I think we always thought the first half would be tough. But Indiana becoming the 85' Bears - with a better QB - definitely was not great. UW also probably slightly better than people thought
That said, I'm not convinced this team hiccups against some of the poorer teams in the B1G at home like others on this board. Unless they check out.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
We’ve played the 3rd most difficult schedule in the country up to this point,
Wouldn't say it's that hard for a Big Ten schedule. 4 tough games, and they lost 3 of them. The rest of the way isn't very difficult. I guess the quality of 2 of those losses is top 2 teams in the country but they'll have far tougher Big Ten schedules in the future.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
The upcoming schedule, of course, isn’t all that difficult. We just haven’t played those teams yet.
The schedule we’ve played up to this point is extremely difficult. One of the most difficult schedules in the nation.
Here’s the strength of schedule up to this point for some of the teams in the B1G:
Illinois: 3 (yes, the 3rd most difficult schedule in the country so far and the 2nd most difficult in the B1G)
Maryland: 97
Nebraska: 67
Penn St: 54
Iowa: 48
Rutgers: 47
Northwestern: 43
Indiana: 42
13 B1G teams are currently outside the top 25 in strength of schedule up to this point.
Using KFORD as a data point, we have played 4 teams in the top 25 in efficiency. Maryland & Nebraska have each only played 1.
With either of their schedules, we likely are sitting at 7-1 right now.
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When I consiered the Illini season at the beginning, I had extremely high hopes and expectations for this season. We had so many returning players and depth with a significant experience. The defensive front required replcement, but it was not like we lost Johnny Newton. I felt the WR and TE group will offset the loss of Bryant and Franklin. We were a very solid team last year, and I expected them to improve. Trying not to look at the season through OB colored glasses, I believed we could, but not likely beat OSU, the real measuring stick was @Duke, @IND, and @UWash. I felt if we went 2-1 against these 3, we would be in the CFP discussion. 9-3, and I guess 8-4, would be a nice season, but anything less than 10-2 would be a disappointment to me. Only because I saw no reason not to have this optimism for this season.
But, that's all just looking at wins and losses. After watching every game this year, it's really the way that they have played that is difficult to understand. Sitting at 5-3, with the remaining schedule, isn't bad. But, considering how we have ended up at 5-3, does not make me feel very confident with the remaining schedule. Duke turned the ball over 5 times. IU made us look like an FCS team (granted I regretfully admit they are for real). At UW we just looked dead, particularly coming off a bye week. Also, Lincoln Riley gave us the USC game (I get the "we had to earn it", but he unnecessarily gave us the chance). On the flip side, I actually think if it wasn't for some bad breaks early against OSU, that could have been a much more interesting and competitve game (the first INT was actually PI, TE not getting the second foot back in bounds for a first down catch, punter taking a knee,...)
I don't mean to sound like I'm bitching, but we do not look like a well coached team right now. Numeroous times last year, I was thinking how refreshing it was to have a well coached team. I am still very happy with the direction UI is heading with Bielema. Recruiting, portal, use of NIL, experience, character are all heading in the right direction. 9-3 would send a terrific message about the program, and I am still looking forward to the remaining games at Memorial Stadium. But, right now I'm disappointed with the results so far FOR THIS SEASON.Maybe there is something to the SOS argument. I did I not see this coming at all. I just hope we are not years away from another opportunity like what I expected this year. I hope I see something very different starting tomorrow.
But, that's all just looking at wins and losses. After watching every game this year, it's really the way that they have played that is difficult to understand. Sitting at 5-3, with the remaining schedule, isn't bad. But, considering how we have ended up at 5-3, does not make me feel very confident with the remaining schedule. Duke turned the ball over 5 times. IU made us look like an FCS team (granted I regretfully admit they are for real). At UW we just looked dead, particularly coming off a bye week. Also, Lincoln Riley gave us the USC game (I get the "we had to earn it", but he unnecessarily gave us the chance). On the flip side, I actually think if it wasn't for some bad breaks early against OSU, that could have been a much more interesting and competitve game (the first INT was actually PI, TE not getting the second foot back in bounds for a first down catch, punter taking a knee,...)
I don't mean to sound like I'm bitching, but we do not look like a well coached team right now. Numeroous times last year, I was thinking how refreshing it was to have a well coached team. I am still very happy with the direction UI is heading with Bielema. Recruiting, portal, use of NIL, experience, character are all heading in the right direction. 9-3 would send a terrific message about the program, and I am still looking forward to the remaining games at Memorial Stadium. But, right now I'm disappointed with the results so far FOR THIS SEASON.Maybe there is something to the SOS argument. I did I not see this coming at all. I just hope we are not years away from another opportunity like what I expected this year. I hope I see something very different starting tomorrow.
I remember before the season started people said it was disrespectful to be called this year's Indiana. It was disrespectful... to Indiana
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