Illini Football 2026

#326      
fuddrules
Last year Illinois gave up 23.6 points/game - all games (12th in the B1G)

If opponents average 23.6 points/game against Illinois in 2026 but the D gives the offense 2 more possessions per game, would you consider it a successful defense?
 
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#327      
fuddrules
jimbo72 said:
I really like the entire coaching staff assembled. If our offensive line is solid, hiring Wheatley will play out huge for our rb's..
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What will help more than anything, IMO, is Illinois finally has B1G level running backs. Finally. Valentine is only now ready. Bowl game Laughery is good but hasn't been able to stay on the field long enough to get in any rhythm. I *think* the two freshman are/will be B1G level backs. It's been a weakness for Illinois.

It took them a long time to get here after Brown.

Edit: Add Anderson as a short yardage back, he's good in this situation.
 
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#329      
Fly Illini Fly!
fuddrules said:
Last year Illinois gave up 23.6 points/game - all games (12th in the B1G)

If opponents average 23.6 points/game against Illinois in 2026 but the D gives the offense 2 more possessions per game, would you consider it a successful defense?
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Points per drive is more insightful than points per game.

Illinois gave up 2.56 points per drive last year, which was 100th in the nation. The year prior in 2024 — we gave up 2.22 which ranked 67th.

In 2022, we gave up 1.17 which was 2nd best in the country.
 
#330      
fatt lacosse
fuddrules said:
What will help more than anything, IMO, is Illinois finally has B1G level running backs. Finally. Valentine is only now ready. Bowl game Laughery is good but hasn't been able to stay on the field long enough to get in any rhythm. I *think* the two freshman are/will be B1G level backs. It's been a weakness for Illinois.

It took them a long time to get here after Brown.

Edit: Add Anderson as a short yardage back, he's good in this situation.
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Man, if you insist. I certainly hope you're right.

RB was on my wish list for the portal and we got nothing out of it at that position even though there were plenty of players we could have grabbed.

That's actually been the only thing that's bothered me this offseason. But I'd love to be wrong!
 
#332      
Mr. Tibbs
fatt lacosse said:
Man, if you insist. I certainly hope you're right.

RB was on my wish list for the portal and we got nothing out of it at that position even though there were plenty of players we could have grabbed.

That's actually been the only thing that's bothered me this offseason. But I'd love to be wrong!
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RB is the one position , of all that get on the field, where a talented frosh can not only start , but get lots of carries if he doesn’t . OSO & scUM have been doing that for years . I’m not saying we have a frosh like that , but obviously the staff thinks we have a deep enough RB room that getting a guy out of the portal wasn’t a priority .

I am so ready for one of those BB type guys he had at Wiscy to dominate & get 1200 yards this year on 28 carries per game - thus eating lots of clock for us .
 
#333      
genevaillini39w
fuddrules said:
Last year Illinois gave up 23.6 points/game - all games (12th in the B1G)

If opponents average 23.6 points/game against Illinois in 2026 but the D gives the offense 2 more possessions per game, would you consider it a successful defense?
Click to expand...
I believe this is the plan.

Win games 31-24, win in the margins, get more turnovers. Still just an overall talent ceiling to the roster, but Bret knows what will work.
 
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