Illinois vs Duke, Saturday, September 12th, 2:30pm CT, FS1

#105      
IlliniInBuckeyeState
Gies Memorial Stadium Sellout Watch update for the Duke game:

First, a review of my UAB prediction: I guessed 52,000 and actual announced crowd was 52,673. There of course weren't that many people in the stadium, but it was still a good turnout for late, hot Thursday night. Compare it to our last Thursday night season opener: Eastern Illinois (2024). That night's announced crowd was 43,849 (also the last time we failed to break 50,000). This nearly 9,000 ticket increase is due to a higher season ticket base and much higher student ticket sales. The DIA says there were 12,000 students at the game Thursday. Both of these create a higher floor that all but guarantees games on non-optimal dates/times will still have a respectable attendance total.

For Duke, one of the DIA emails last week said there were "less than 2,500 tickets remaining." I put that estimate at less than 1,500 tickets remaining. We're close enough that I could see them making a push this week to make this game a sellout.


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#108      
lstewart53x3
Comparing offensive efficiency week 1: (Iā€™ve removed our defensive touchdown from the scoring stats)

Yards per play:

Illinois: 7.7
Duke: 4.9

Points per possession:

Illinois: 5
Duke: 1.55

Points per 100 yards of offense:

Illinois: 10.54
Duke: 4.46

Lots of empty calories (yards / possessions) on offense for Duke.
 
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#113      
WhereDoWeStandWithStorr?
#118      
jimbo72
illini0440 said:
Hard to say. I just think itā€™ll be more even. UABs plan from the first drive was to keep our defense on the field and make us tackle in space. We combine that with a long point return and 3 play score and a long run for TD a recipe for a lopsided time of possession.
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UAB transfer portal pick ups impressed me. That 4th string running back from Georgia bulldogs was a beast. They had good portal players all up amd down their roster. I'm thinking they go 8-4 or 9-3, looking at their schedule. Good win, we found a gem at Qb1!
 
#119      
Dkayak
jimbo72 said:
Dukes running back may get 200 yards. I sure as heck hope not.
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This is such an obvious threat to even us casual observers that we can be confident itā€™s the biggest single threat on our coaching staffā€™s radar.
 
#120      
lstewart53x3
Dkayak said:
This is such an obvious threat to even us casual observers that we can be confident itā€™s the biggest single threat on our coaching staffā€™s radar.
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If their QB repeats his week 1 performance, their back will likely need 300+ to win.
 
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