Recent content by BalloonsTheElephant

You needed like a foot. Clayton looked surprised by the snap and we got no push. We hadn't gotten them to punt since the first quarter. Their possessions before were TD, TD, TD, FG, fumble, TD. Getting a first down basically seals the game.

If our defense was even mildly competent, we'd be 4-2 at worst, given that our offense was terrible against Purdue. The only thing broken is our defense which is a product of a bad roster, that uses a specialty scheme without the personnel to run it, and coached by a guy who didn't really want...

One of the ultimate "what if" Illinois players.

Username checks out.

I'm still relatively happy with any season that ends in a bowl game. I did not have high expectations this year, but from where we've come, I think we have the right leadership. Every year, and this may be happening everywhere, but we are always surprised at the cost of players in both...

Complaints coming from the same people complaining about $8 pretzels at concessions.

I still think if you're gonna go pay a QB at least $3M, you can give someone a shot and stock up on DL/OL with the savings. Bring in a Paddock type with a high floor to provide competition and a backup and give him a shot.

What's the likelihood we go Carson Boyd as our starter, save the NIL and put it towards places we need it more?

That feels so weird as an Illinois fan.

100%, but we chose a quarterback who will be in the sure for one year and has 12 games to prove himself. He's been really good, but my only real point is that I believe Altmyer wins us the Duke game and makes the throws to keep us closer with Ohio St.

You're right, my bad. I was misremembering and speaking off the cuff. In a 12 game season, a 5 year veteran QB needs to be able lead those drives and it's the difference between 6 or 8 wins. I agree that the second half playbook from Lunney was uninspiring.

Duke was the canary in the coal mine for how our season is gonna go. Defensively we we are obviously struggling, but Altmyer or Devito would have taken us down the field to beat Duke. There is going to be some regression to the mean for how many close games we pull out, but I don't think Houser...

I never thought we'd were going to win, but I feel like we had chances to make it a game. Missing an open throw to Trimble to get extend a drive and I think missing Dixon in the end zone were plays I feel that Altmyer and Devito make. I like Houser, but he's not at their level when we need to...

There is so much noise in on the world of youth sports, and there are a million cracks to fall through. That's why (shudders) places like Perfect Game are exploding in popularity because it has the scout services and other ways to get "discovered". People will scoff at Rivals now, but it will be...

100%. I also don't know how you can legally limit the amount of money someone can make due to their name, image, or likeness, unless the players agree to limit it as part of a CBA which is against their interests. The NCAA has lost just about every related case in court so far. I'm sure the...