Game Thread: Illinois vs Rutgers

[LJ22]

3rd and nine and we forced them into a timeout - best defense we've seen all season.

 

[Ryllini]

On that last dropped pass, did Strain even know he was in the game? He almost had a complete oh !!!! moment.

 

[CDRUSN]

The preferred beverage of the Scarlet Knights:

 

[Second place is 1st loser]

Just asking. Has the NCAA banned blitzing?

Where's the blitzing going to come from and if you don't get home, how will these corners hold up? They have absolutely no coverage skills. They tried it last week and got burned a ton.

 

[aaeismacgychel]

This guy stunk at Minnesota. He’s really improved since then

Hard to be worse than he was at Minnesota. That said, he still is not good under pressure. Also wasn't he a 5 star out of high school? He can make throws standing still in the pocket, but book on him is pressure pressure pressure

 

[Fighter of the Nightman]

It’s honestly sickening how much this defense doesn’t deserve our offense. I know we just threw a pick and O-Line has been shaky, but our offense is a 9- or 10-win caliber unit. Our defense is 3-9 bad.

 

[DeeAndDWill]

Where's the blitzing going to come from and if you don't get home, how will these corners hold up? They have absolutely no coverage skills. They tried it last week and got burned a ton.

Wut

 

[The Galloping Ghost]

Bending, but not breaking...for now.

 

[BlueFlag]

Decent coverage & pressure to force the field goal.

 

[TheodoreRex]

Even just an average d and we are college playoff bound- that's what is making this season so frustrating.

 

[Pikeillinifan]

Need a long drive here.

 

[FloridaMan]

Where's the blitzing going to come from and if you don't get home, how will these corners hold up? They have absolutely no coverage skills. They tried it last week and got burned a ton.

We blitzed last week? Man, I totally missed that.

 

[UCantHideYer]

Get them big mits up there fella!

 

[Icy veins]

Need a long drive here.

I’ll take a short one. Tuddy time

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

Hard to be worse than he was at Minnesota. That said, he still is not good under pressure. Also wasn't he a 5 star out of high school? He can make throws standing still in the pocket, but book on him is pressure pressure pressure

4 star... no where close to 5 star.

 

[DERV64]

Really need to double dip here, unfortunately that hasnt been a strong suit this year, its been more of a glaring weakness

 

[ChiefIlliniWekDance]

lol Bielema ball

 

[Route47]

Run Football

 

[RockfordIllini]

Defense much improved today. Hopefully o line can play better. Why can’t we figure out how to block twists/stunts?

But please run the ball.

 

[aaeismacgychel]

Where's the blitzing going to come from and if you don't get home, how will these corners hold up? They have absolutely no coverage skills. They tried it last week and got burned a ton.

If we're scared of blitzing Kaliakmanis, we should just call off the game and go home. Any pressure whatsoever on him and his play falls off an absolute cliff. This is not a QB you just don't blitz. Against many teams, yes, you're right, but this QB? No. I'd rather do a zero blitz every down against him than drop 7 or 8 in coverage.

 

[Second place is 1st loser]

Wut

What didn't you understand about it? It's THE issue. If you bring a backer, you better damn well get to the QB. If you bring a CB and don't get there, the safety better be able to slide over.....

The front four HAS to get pressure without needing you blitz. That last third down, they did and rushed the throw. The corners don't have the skills to hold up in press coverage. They just don't. Have to accept it and do what you can. In today's case, the Rutgers QB has been our 12th defender.

 

[Route47]

Yes!!! Run Football.

 

[Ryllini]

Any other result than points on this drive will unacceptable.

 

[ChiTown]

Where's the blitzing going to come from and if you don't get home, how will these corners hold up? They have absolutely no coverage skills. They tried it last week and got burned a ton.

The best friend to a struggling secondary is aggressive defensive line that makes the QB uncomfortable and keeps running for it’s life,without pass pressure that’s why our secondary is having no luck with INT’s or turnovers.

 

[Second place is 1st loser]

We blitzed last week? Man, I totally missed that.

Yeah and one of them resulted in the QB scrambled for about 40 yards.