Game Thread: Illinois at Ohio State

[UDillini]

Welp this is over but I actually gained confidence for the rest of the year.

Could be like 23-17 at half if anyone outside of Bailey could tackle.

I 10000% guarantee we never hear Kreutz name called all game.

 

[Rooftop]

Illini football has a long way to go to compete at this playoff caliber team type level. Can we even get there?

 

[RockfordIllini]

Obviously a big talent differential. There are some things to build on. Moving the ball well. We have left some plays out there on both sides of the ball. Yards are lopsided but actually just a couple plays away from this being a real game.

That said, what frustrates me is I’m not seeing any change in the net result on the defensive side. We still can’t get off the field on third/fourth down (Day going for it on 4th and 7 in FG was disrespectful), still dying a slow death giving up long drives.

I just want to see us try and dictate on defense even if that means giving up some big plays. We are giving up big plays anyways so what’s the difference? Ohio State is just too comfortable.

 

[pvaughn8]

Honestly hasn't been as bad as I thought. Feels a lot better than IU at least. We just don't seem to play to our potential in these games. And our potential is likely still a loss but it would at least be fun in the 4th quarter

 

[Hereforit]

Go down and get 7 on this opening drive. Pull out all stops. No mistakes. 11 points looks a lot different than 18.

 

[Marshall_Lucky]

"Kalen Houser"

 

[Illini in Italy]

Is this the Ohio State half time show?

Get and stay within 2 TD’s and I’ll call it a good game.

 

[illinois_hustle]

This was very close to being a decent half for us. I would've taken 21-10 and it could've been 21-14 if Houser hits that TD pass. Alas, a few plays missed on both sides of the ball shows in the score. My biggest surprise is that OSU is doing it through the air when I thought their game plan would just be to pound it relentlessly against out front... but when you have the receivers they do I guess throwing makes sense no matter what.

Moral victory time! Let's keep it to just 10 points difference in the 2nd half.

 

[BWBW]

I am sure our defense will make significant halftime adjustments. Yes sirreee Bob!

 

[pvaughn8]

I hope the offense doesn't go 2nd half MIA today

 

[TwinCityBreaker]

The only good news here is Sayin is gets much confidence running at some point he may run into Bailey

Yeah, notice that one play where referees mentioned Sayin had all that room to run, but in the view from behind him, you could see Bailey tracking him and he opted to get out of bounds

 

[Hereforit]

I am sure our defense will make significant halftime adjustments. Yes sirreee Bob!

 

[SuperMetroid]

Illini football has a long way to go to compete at this playoff caliber team type level. Can we even get there?

You got an extra $50 million lying around? Cause that’s all this sport is now.

 

[UDillini]

If we tackled like the 30th worst in FBS and Houser hits Trimble this a play or two away from 23-17 at half

 

[phats22]

This is our 4th game and still no TE touchdowns. Do we have any TE that can catch the ball? Do we have any plays for the TE? I think Lunney is the best OC we’ve ever had but why do we not consistently try to throw to our TE?

last game 2 or 3 TEs had catches (one each, i think) but, agreed TEs are not used well in our passing game

 

[phats22]

Honestly hasn't been as bad as I thought. Feels a lot better than IU at least. We just don't seem to play to our potential in these games. And our potential is likely still a loss but it would at least be fun in the 4th quarter

maybe I'm getting too old, but i think we win against Duke if we played like this

 

[Second place is 1st loser]

Why's press coverage such a crazy concept for us?

You need corners capable of it. If we played press man, they'd have 49 points right now. Receivers would be open everywhere.

 

[Marshall_Lucky]

maybe I'm getting too old, but i think we win against Duke if we played like this

Without a doubt

 

[TooHot4Tots]

Don't have them.

Tend to agree

 

[phats22]

Illini football has a long way to go to compete at this playoff caliber team type level. Can we even get there?

imo, part of making up that difference is supposed to come from being a well coached and fundamentally sound team. our tackling is laughable, 3rd TD avoided if anyone tackles Sayin on the midfield 3rd down

(i understand criticism of scheme but to my eyes, fundamentals have been the bigger fault so far)

 

[aaeismacgychel]

Laughery is really seeing the field well when running it

 

[dsg]

That looked like panic throw by Houser.

 

[aaeismacgychel]

Lucky that one wasn’t picked. Houser never saw him

 

[New Creation]

Is that a PI actually being called?

 

[dsg]

Finally!