Good stuff. Nebraska is Dads Weekend so that should give attendance a boost. Iowa is the Saturday before Thanksgiving break which may drop attendance due to kids leaving campus.
Illinois vs Purdue, Saturday, October 3rd, 3:15pm CT, BTN
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
While your posts were always one of the highlights of game week for me, I must say I love that the anticipation of a sellout is a bit more "boring" these days!
Amazing growth in attendance since Bret got here and drawing above 45k was a "big crowd"!Also, I know I'm always annoying about this, but ... how many sellouts have to rack up before Josh and the DIA would even consider putting some temporary bleachers in front of the Horseshoe for big games?!
I absolutely hate that the Big Ten seems intent on making this a regular weekend for Iowa games, and even when it's not this exact weekend, it has often been in mid- or late November. Just perusing Wikipedia, these are when our home games vs. Iowa have been since the East / West division setup began in 2014:
2014 - November 15 (two weeks before Thanksgiving)
2015 - N/A
2016 - November 19 (Saturday before Thanksgiving)
2017 - N/A
2018 - November 17 (Saturday before Thanksgiving)
2019 - N/A
2020 - December 5 (COVID season)
2021 -
2022 - October 8
2023 - N/A
2024 - N/A
2025 - N/A
2026 - November 21 (Saturday before Thanksgiving)
So 5 of the last 6 home games have been November 15 or later, and 3 of the last 4 have specifically been the Saturday before Thanksgiving. I road tripped with Iowa friends for both the 2016 and 2018 games, the latter being the 63-0 embarrassment. Both times, campus felt empty, the weather was terrible and the crowds were nothing short of embarrassing. I was always so annoyed, as I wanted my Iowa friends to get to see Champaign in September or October when there would still be people out and about tailgating, in beer gardens, etc. The rivalry deserved better!
I'm hopeful that these days we will have a much better environment ... but it's NOT ideal timing. Bizarrely, looking back at Bret's tenure, we have NEVER had a home game in that Saturday-before-Thanksgiving slot!
2021 - N/A (played at Iowa and Northwestern was at home for game 12)
2022 - N/A (ended the season with two straight road games, at Michigan and at Northwestern)
2023 - N/A (played at Iowa and Northwestern was at home for game 12)
2024 - N/A (played at Rutgers and ended vs. Northwestern at Wrigley for game 12)
2025 - N/A (played at Wisconsin and Northwestern was at home for game 12)
Last edited:
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
EDIT: @Dan, I ran out of time but feel free to combine with my quoted post!While your posts were always one of the highlights of game week for me, I must say I love that the anticipation of a sellout is a bit more "boring" these days!
Also, I know I'm always annoying about this, but ... how many sellouts have to rack up before Josh and the DIA would even consider putting some temporary bleachers in front of the Horseshoe for big games?!
I absolutely hate that the Big Ten seems intent on making this a regular weekend for Iowa games, and even when it's not this exact weekend, it has often been in mid- or late November. Just perusing Wikipedia, these are when our home games vs. Iowa have been since the East / West division setup began in 2014:
2014 - November 15 (two weeks before Thanksgiving)
2015 - N/A
2016 - November 19 (Saturday before Thanksgiving)
2017 - N/A
2018 - November 17 (Saturday before Thanksgiving)
2019 - N/A
2020 - December 5 (COVID season)
2021 -
2022 - October 8
2023 - N/A
2024 - N/A
2025 - N/A
2026 - November 21 (Saturday before Thanksgiving)
So 5 of the last 6 home games have been November 15 or later, and 3 of the last 4 have specifically been the Saturday before Thanksgiving. I road tripped with Iowa friends for both the 2016 and 2018 games, the latter being the 63-0 embarrassment. Both times, campus felt empty, the weather was terrible and the crowds were nothing short of embarrassing. I was always so annoyed, as I wanted my Iowa friends to get to see Champaign in September or October when there would still be people out and about tailgating, in beer gardens, etc. The rivalry deserved better!
I'm hopeful that these days we will have a much better environment ... but it's NOT ideal timing. Bizarrely, looking back at Bret's tenure, we have NEVER had a home game in that Saturday-before-Thanksgiving slot!
2021 - N/A (played at Iowa and Northwestern was at home for game 12)
2022 - N/A (ended the season with two straight road games, at Michigan and at Northwestern)
2023 - N/A (played at Iowa and Northwestern was at home for game 12)
2024 - N/A (played at Rutgers and ended vs. Northwestern at Wrigley for game 12)
2025 - N/A (played at Wisconsin and Northwestern was at home for game 12)
They should REALLY try to do something to incentivize students to stick around for the Iowa game and head back home on Sunday. Pull out ALL of the stops - enticing student events that Friday, free student attendance, whatever it takes! We will need an electric atmosphere to knock off Iowa.
Great points. I could not remember the last time we played at home the Sat prior to Thanksgiving.While your posts were always one of the highlights of game week for me, I must say I love that the anticipation of a sellout is a bit more "boring" these days!
Also, I know I'm always annoying about this, but ... how many sellouts have to rack up before Josh and the DIA would even consider putting some temporary bleachers in front of the Horseshoe for big games?!
I absolutely hate that the Big Ten seems intent on making this a regular weekend for Iowa games, and even when it's not this exact weekend, it has often been in mid- or late November. Just perusing Wikipedia, these are when our home games vs. Iowa have been since the East / West division setup began in 2014:
2014 - November 15 (two weeks before Thanksgiving)
2015 - N/A
2016 - November 19 (Saturday before Thanksgiving)
2017 - N/A
2018 - November 17 (Saturday before Thanksgiving)
2019 - N/A
2020 - December 5 (COVID season)
2021 -
2022 - October 8
2023 - N/A
2024 - N/A
2025 - N/A
2026 - November 21 (Saturday before Thanksgiving)
So 5 of the last 6 home games have been November 15 or later, and 3 of the last 4 have specifically been the Saturday before Thanksgiving. I road tripped with Iowa friends for both the 2016 and 2018 games, the latter being the 63-0 embarrassment. Both times, campus felt empty, the weather was terrible and the crowds were nothing short of embarrassing. I was always so annoyed, as I wanted my Iowa friends to get to see Champaign in September or October when there would still be people out and about tailgating, in beer gardens, etc. The rivalry deserved better!
I'm hopeful that these days we will have a much better environment ... but it's NOT ideal timing. Bizarrely, looking back at Bret's tenure, we have NEVER had a home game in that Saturday-before-Thanksgiving slot!
2021 - N/A (played at Iowa and Northwestern was at home for game 12)
2022 - N/A (ended the season with two straight road games, at Michigan and at Northwestern)
2023 - N/A (played at Iowa and Northwestern was at home for game 12)
2024 - N/A (played at Rutgers and ended vs. Northwestern at Wrigley for game 12)
2025 - N/A (played at Wisconsin and Northwestern was at home for game 12)
We can lose to Iowa but I don't see that same category as Oregon. They easily could have lost to Iowa State and Michigan. If the wheels don't fall out from under us I bet the spread is within 3.
ptgrd23
- orange county CA
Purdue is a trap game.
1. Aggressive defense - get pressure on QB. Challenge secondary to play tight man coverage.
2. No turnovers.
3. Change punt returner to somebody who wants to catch the ball and run. Current returner is playing scared.
4. Don't force the slant to Dixon in end zone. Too crowded. QB has tunnel vision. Lunney has to call passes to other receivers.
5. Run Javari Burnett 10X per game min. The pass blocking of Valentine and Laughery is mediocre at best. Keep a full back or tight end in to block if you need.
6. Short yardage Valentine and Laughery cannot get you 2 yards. Run Burnett or Anderson.
No need to look ahead to future games. Win this one.
1. Aggressive defense - get pressure on QB. Challenge secondary to play tight man coverage.
2. No turnovers.
3. Change punt returner to somebody who wants to catch the ball and run. Current returner is playing scared.
4. Don't force the slant to Dixon in end zone. Too crowded. QB has tunnel vision. Lunney has to call passes to other receivers.
5. Run Javari Burnett 10X per game min. The pass blocking of Valentine and Laughery is mediocre at best. Keep a full back or tight end in to block if you need.
6. Short yardage Valentine and Laughery cannot get you 2 yards. Run Burnett or Anderson.
No need to look ahead to future games. Win this one.
Just picked up our tickets, can someone remind me what parking at Research Park costs? TIA!
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
Football Parking Information - University of Illinois Athletics
Parking NEW Parking Lot Routes for 2026 - READ MORE New for the 2026 Fighting Illini football season, Illinois Athletics is implementing a lot-specific traff...
$30
Gameday is always first come first serve. So if you can, it might make sense to get a prepaid pass.
I still remain optimistic that Bielema will figure out a way to do enough of defense for us to have a successful season, including winning this game.
However, here’s how I think we lose this game: our defense is still a mess, we still can’t solve Ryan Browne, and we have just enough hiccups in the red zone so Purdue squeaks out a win, similar to the Duke game.
In fact I will make the likely not so bold claim that whichever offense executes better in the red zone wins. Hopefully it’s our D that gets a timely 4th down stop/turnover and not Purdue’s.
Again I remain optimistic, but if we have a red zone performance like we did against Duke or OSU, we can definitely lose this game.
However, here’s how I think we lose this game: our defense is still a mess, we still can’t solve Ryan Browne, and we have just enough hiccups in the red zone so Purdue squeaks out a win, similar to the Duke game.
In fact I will make the likely not so bold claim that whichever offense executes better in the red zone wins. Hopefully it’s our D that gets a timely 4th down stop/turnover and not Purdue’s.
Again I remain optimistic, but if we have a red zone performance like we did against Duke or OSU, we can definitely lose this game.
A trap game implies the team should/would be looking ahead at a tougher opponent. With the way this season is going and who our next opponent is, this is not a trap game. It's just a must-win.
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
There are no trap games on this schedule.
There’s also like 4 other things wrong in his post. Par for the course lol
I'm optimistic that the defense will experience a positive bounce from the departure of Hauck, extra attention from the assistant and Bielema this week, and better communication on game day. Assuming our offense plays well, I think we can pull out a close victory and be halfway to bowl eligibility.
Disagree, I would say last year against Duke we made plays. This year when we lost we had mental mistakes.
Gonna be a great day tomorrow. Love the 3:15 start time. More time to tailgate on a beautiful fall afternoon! Illini win this one 45-35
TheFlyingIllini1317
- Chicago, IL
I have a feeling this will be uncomfortably close. Desperate Purdue team, must win game in front of a sell out crowd. Think we need 40 points, cannot turn it over.
Can't be like last year's game.
These uniforms were so clean. Bring back this font and ax the numeral outline and our current sets are almost as good.
But this should be our PSU, Alabama, Texas etc. Just use these in perpetuity.
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
I would be fine if the defense was opportunistic like they were at Purdue last year. Sure we gave up 450 yards of offense, but Purdue only scored 27 points.
Give me a 43-27 score like last year any day of the week. Per ESPN analytics, the Illini had 95% likelihood to win the game at the kickoff of the second half and 98% going into the fourth quarter. Please sign me up for that probability going into second half tomorrow.