Duke 31, Illinois 27 Postgame
Battle89
- Cary-Grove, the better Trojan team
Would it have really mattered...
Couldn't stop him on offense or special teams so.....correct.
mhuml32
Gesture of Northern Aggression
I have no insider information but my priors assumed that Bielema was influencing the offensive pace late in the game because of how he wanted the end-game to play out (Werner seemed to either also have the same thought or got insider information confirming that).
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
I’m guessing Bielema wanted to do what we did at the end of the Tennessee bowl game and drain the clock all the way down and win at the gun. That’s a great plan IF you can execute. Not so great when you don’t.
Most people point to the fake punt as the game changer, but I would argue the trim momentum changer came at the end of the first half. Illinois was methodically driving and was milking the clock successfully. It appeared they were going to play for the last score of the half and have a two score lead going into the break. But then we scored too early, leaving Duke just under two minutes to score.. which they did. The Blue Devils then took the second half kickoff and took the lead. That momentum shift turned the tide.
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
Is that just coach speak or is that what he believes? I mean I watched the game and our defense was porous at best. Maybe, I don't know enough to understand what I watched.
BB needs to stop the whining about NIL. It’s not a good look.
especially because its doubtful that was the case last weekend.....
I do get this more than most people…. but I wonder why the runs had to come at that exact moment. You could’ve prioritized picking up the 1st down, and then run the ball the next series, to dictate end of game.
….
End of game absolutely matters. I’d be extremely pissed if one of our games played out like this:
The OSU defenders work so hard to effectively kill their chances at a victory. If they had let him go, I fully believe they would’ve won this game, with 1 timeout and 1:30 on the clock.
Perhaps we will eventually see a loss like this. It’d just drive me nuts.
So, end of game absolutely matters IMO. We’ve actually been really good at it — the Duke game was just a matter of managing end of game AND getting the first down (and yes, the first down is the most important factor).
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Dan
Admin
I thought there was a chance WR Collin Dixon (11 receptions, 166 yards, 3 TDs vs a P4 team) received co-offensive player of the week from the league (I didn't check the stats of the other 16 teams), but alas it was not to be.
If Big Ten teams are not allowed to have their players win weekly honors after a non-conference loss I have no problems with that, I just think the league should make that an official rule around Big Ten Media Days for clarity. Go Illini
If Big Ten teams are not allowed to have their players win weekly honors after a non-conference loss I have no problems with that, I just think the league should make that an official rule around Big Ten Media Days for clarity. Go Illini
We ran the ball against USC, but the difference is we picked up the 1st down so nobody cared.
But THREE STRAIGHT: 1st down (which was a successful run), 2nd down (not successful run), 3rd down (not successful run) seems way too many when you have a quarterback that good.
JJE
- North Port, Florida
The days of people buying those lines passed a long time ago. We have eyes. And the stats say we are one of the worst tackling teams in the country.
Just admit we aren’t where we need to be and find a way to work with what you have. People may not like it, but most appreciate honesty.
Interesting quote. Before Bielema was all “NIL has leveled the playing field”. Now he’s changed his tune 180 degrees
Yep and I thought it before they ran the first play. You knew what was coming....so did Duke.
He's been beating the drum since the beginning of spring camp. Hopefully Josh and potential mega donors are hearing the message. I don't see BB operating under the current situation long term, and that would be a shame.
Both statements are true. At first NIL did level the field. Then it exploded to create the have’s and the have not’s, tilting the field to the greatest extend we’ve seen (yet).
Stay tuned. It could get worse before it gets better. Some sort of effective salary cap would truly level things.
Having less sucks, but spending what you do have suboptimally doesn't help
I’ll never have enough football know-how (and certainly not nearly enough inside information) to be able to judge whether we’re spending optimally, but I trust Brett’s judgement.
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
Look, you can all carry on about whatever you want obviously.....but this right here? Are you f@#king kidding me?
Indnia....INDINIA...THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM AT INDINIA UNIVERSITY JUST WON A NATIONAL TITLE......... AND WE CAN'T F@#KING TACKLE???
ARE WE ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE??
Having the most gigantunormungus video board in the Milky Way Galaxy is soooooo cool...BUT WE CAN'T FUNDAMENTALLY PLAY THE ACTUAL GAME ON THE FIELD?
Whatthef@#ckever.
The fact we weren’t in max protect when they are punting from midfield is the most alarming….
The odds of a return there are almost zero. It’s a fair catch or roll out in that situation. Should have been 10 guys up towards the box.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Might want to take a day off dude