Game Thread: Illinois vs Iowa
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They haven't been on the field for 30 minutes.
FT35
- Naperville
That's not fair. They actually have played pretty well today.
Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
Look out for bootleg or screen here...or they just run off tackle for a td. It could get pretty ugly this half.
Yes, I would agree to this. I think it's a combo of Lunt's offense not holding up to their end of the bargain, again, and as a result, the D being gassed.
Some of the worst play calling this year
There are a lot of what-ifs with Lunt. What if he hadn't had so many injuries. What if there hadn't been so many drops. What if he had Dudek the past two years. What if Cubit had coached him differently. But I'm very ready for this era to come to an end. Juice, Nathan had ups and downs but at least they had ups. If Wes had any, I've already forgotten them.
I really understand the desire of the fan base to want to believe we have one good unit on our team. It's obviously not our offense so fans want to push that this defense is really a good unit and they only struggle due to being tired due to the struggles of our obviously bad unit. So we blame the offense for why our d is bad. But in reality this is not a good defense at all, maybe not even an average unit.
FT35
- Naperville
I'm not crazy about the way the defense has played this year but they haven't had a bad game today. That or Iowa's offense is just really bad.
IceCuban
- San Tan Valley, AZ
It seems like Lunt usually has time to make a play, so the question is, "why is the passing game so bad?":
A. The route packages drawn up aren't good enough to get guys open
B. The receivers aren't good enough to get open
C. Lunt's not good enough to read the play/make the throw
D. All of the above
A. The route packages drawn up aren't good enough to get guys open
B. The receivers aren't good enough to get open
C. Lunt's not good enough to read the play/make the throw
D. All of the above
I don't know, but I have seen enough grit and enough grind on our defense this year that I really point to our offense not stepping up.
I think it's both. Our linebacker play is quite poor. Outside of Nickerson they are not strong at the point of attack, get pushed around all day and are poor tacklers. They never drive the rb backwards. Our secondary is also pretty brutal, struggle to both cover and tackle. Won't see that today because Iowa cannot throw downfield.
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
When your "best receiver" can't catch a really well thrown 5 yard pass, you really aren't giving yourself a chance to win. Pathetic.
Give me a break. Catch the f'n ball.
illinidarrin
- from parts unknown
None of our WR's are threats. People complain about Lunt all the time, but if WR's drop the ball, what more can he do? Next year we will finally have some threats ( if they stay committed)?
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
I honestly don't think the average fan realizes how important having good receivers is to a QB. Remember how good Lunt was when we had Dudek healthy? That was with one good receiver! Imagine if he had a few.
This defense is average at best. Hate to say it, but they will be worse next year as well.
Is this J Leman? If so I'm disappointed. The wind causes a guy who is not used to carrying a ball have to catch a ball on a kickoff? You mean the fullback is not used to carrying a football?smh
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
True. It will be all these young kids without our best D line players and MLB.
Offense could be worse too. Lose a quality big ten QB and don't add much talent at the skill positions.
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