Illini Football 2016

Dan · Jan 21, 2016

Single game tickets on sale June 23rd
http://fightingillini.com/news/2016...me-tickets-on-sale-june-23.aspx?path=football

2016 Illini Football Ticket Options
http://www.fightingillini.com/news/2016/2/18/Football_0218162643.aspx

2016 Illini Football Schedule
Sep 03____Murray State______________2:30pm BTN
Sep 10____North Carolina____________6:30pm BTN
Sep 17____Western Michigan__________3:00pm ESPNews
Sep 24_______Bye Week___
Oct 01____@ Nebraska________________2:30pm
Oct 08____Purdue____________________
Oct 15____@ Rutgers_________________11:00am
Oct 22____@ Michigan________________2:30pm
Oct 29____Minnesota (Homecoming)____11:00am
Nov 05____Michigan State____________
Nov 12____@ Wisconsin_______________2:30pm
Nov 19____Iowa______________________
Nov 26____@ Northwestern____________
All times CT

B1G West Division
Illinois
Iowa
Minnesota
Nebraska
Northwestern
Purdue
Wisconsin

B1G East Division
Indiana
Maryland
Michigan
Michigan State
Ohio State
Penn State
Rutgers

2016 marks the change from an 8 to a 9-game league schedule in the B1G. Now everyone plays 3 teams (instead of 2) from the opposite division, has 3 non-cons (instead of 4), and has 5 B1G at home & 4 B1G on road or vice versa.

* This will be the 4th-straight season Illinois opens B1G play vs Nebraska (3rd year out of 4 that game is in Lincoln). This scheduling quirk will continue in 2017 & 2019.

* Last time (only other times I believe) the B1G had 9-game schedules for the entire league was 1983 & 1984. Back then it was a 10-team league so it was a true round-robin.

* B1G history: Best as I can tell, the first teams to have 9-game B1G schedules were Iowa and Northwestern in 1971. In the early 80s & 1970s there were some years with imbalanced 8 & 9-game schedules, in other words some teams had 9-game B1G while others had 8-game B1G schedules in the same season. No idea, it was different back then

* The only team in B1G history to go 9-0 in the league regular season was your 1983 Fighting Illini :illinois:

IrishIllini · Jan 21, 2016

2016 Illini Football Schedule
W Sep 03____Murray State
L Sep 10____North Carolina
W Sep 17____Western Michigan
Sep 24_______Bye Week___ EARLY BYE
L Oct 01____@ Nebraska
W Oct 08____Purdue
W? Oct 15____@ Rutgers
L Oct 22____@ Michigan
W? Oct 29____Minnesota (Homecoming)
L Nov 05____Michigan State
L Nov 12____@ Wisconsin
L Nov 19____Iowa
L Nov 26____@ Northwestern

5-7 but as bad as 3-9 Cubit fired somewhere along the way (most likely)
:chief:

Doak1960 · Jan 21, 2016

I believe there is a upset in the last 4 games!

Ramrod2010 · Jan 21, 2016

IrishIllini said:
2016 Illini Football Schedule
W Sep 03____Murray State
L Sep 10____North Carolina
W Sep 17____Western Michigan
Sep 24_______Bye Week___ EARLY BYE
L Oct 01____@ Nebraska
W Oct 08____Purdue
W? Oct 15____@ Rutgers
L Oct 22____@ Michigan
W? Oct 29____Minnesota (Homecoming)
L Nov 05____Michigan State
L Nov 12____@ Wisconsin
L Nov 19____Iowa
L Nov 26____@ Northwestern

5-7 but as bad as 3-9 Cubit fired somewhere along the way (most likely)

I thought people were saying that next years (now this years) schedule would be easier... That does not look easier.

RyanK · Jan 21, 2016

W -- Sep 03____Murray State
L -- Sep 10____North Carolina
L -- Sep 17____Western Michigan
Sep 24_______Bye Week___
L -- Oct 01____@ Nebraska
W -- Oct 08____Purdue
W -- Oct 15____@ Rutgers
L -- Oct 22____@ Michigan
L -- Oct 29____Minnesota (Homecoming)
L -- Nov 05____Michigan State
L -- Nov 12____@ Wisconsin
L -- Nov 19____Iowa
L -- Nov 26____@ Northwestern

Definitely seeing 3-9. Not very optimistic.

Illinnoying Orange · Jan 21, 2016

RyanK said:
W -- Sep 03____Murray State
L -- Sep 10____North Carolina
L -- Sep 17____Western Michigan
Sep 24_______Bye Week___
L -- Oct 01____@ Nebraska
W -- Oct 08____Purdue
W -- Oct 15____@ Rutgers
L -- Oct 22____@ Michigan
L -- Oct 29____Minnesota (Homecoming)
L -- Nov 05____Michigan State
L -- Nov 12____@ Wisconsin
L -- Nov 19____Iowa
L -- Nov 26____@ Northwestern

Definitely seeing 3-9. Not very optimistic.

Same exact picks as I have. I think one of the biggest games of next season for Cubit will be the WMU game. Win that convincingly, he keeps the team going in a positive direction. Lose that game, and the wheels fall off pretty quick.

mossimo142 · Jan 21, 2016

Most Likely Wins (2): Murray St, Purdue
Toss ups (4): Western Michigan, Nebraska, Rutgers, Minnesota
Most Likely Losses (6): North Carolina, Michigan, Michigan St, Wisconsin, Iowa, Northwestern

At best win all toss Ups: 6-6
Split Toss Ups: 4-8
At worst lose them all: 2-10

I'm predicting 3-9, winning one of the toss ups, most likely WMU or Minnesota

JIllini · Jan 21, 2016

So I don't really follow recruiting, and I'm not sure exactly how much we lose next year. How is the 2016 team expected to compare to the 2015 team? I feel like having Dudek back will help a ton on offense.

Soxfreak64 · Jan 22, 2016

JIllini said:
So I don't really follow recruiting, and I'm not sure exactly how much we lose next year. How is the 2016 team expected to compare to the 2015 team? I feel like having Dudek back will help a ton on offense.

Offense:
Must find two new Guards on the O-Line
Dudek, Hardee return
Dre Brown now healthy

Defense:
Must find new SS
Must replace two corners
Must replace DE (best DL)
Must replace MLB
Must grasp new system

In short, I don't see the run game improving enough to open up the offense and I see a really ugly year on defense.

IlliniBone54 · Jan 22, 2016

Soxfreak64 said:
Offense:
Must find two new Guards on the O-Line
Dudek, Hardee return
Dre Brown now healthy

Defense:
Must find new SS
Must replace two corners
Must replace DE (best DL)
Must replace MLB
Must grasp new system

In short, I don't see the run game improving enough to open up the offense and I see a really ugly year on defense.

Defense is what worries me the most. Most of the time we were only in games this year because of them. Having Dudek and Hardee healthy will be key for the offense, but I don't know if I see enough positive changes overall for us to reach 6 wins. I can see at best 5 wins heading into our last 4 games, but with MSU, Iowa, Northwestern and Wisconsin that's gonna be a tough stretch to win as just being competitive could be an issue.

AaronB28 · Jan 22, 2016

Seems like theres a possibilty we are taking 2 wrs 3 lbs and a dl....are these really needed???

i know we really do need d lineman

IllinoisFanAtFSU · Jan 22, 2016

W -- Sep 03____Murray State
L -- Sep 10____North Carolina
W -- Sep 17____Western Michigan
Sep 24_______Bye Week___
L -- Oct 01____@ Nebraska
W -- Oct 08____Purdue
W -- Oct 15____@ Rutgers
L -- Oct 22____@ Michigan
W -- Oct 29____Minnesota (Homecoming)
L -- Nov 05____Michigan State
L -- Nov 12____@ Wisconsin
L -- Nov 19____Iowa
W? -- Nov 26____@ Northwestern

Really struggling to find a sixth win on here. I think the most realistic outcome is 5-6 going into the Northwestern game for the third year in a row

If NW is the same team they were this year, we will have to be a slightly better and more consistent team to pull that out. I'll stick with 6-6 though, with that final win coming over NW. So 2-1 OOC and 4-5 in conference. On this schedule, I'm okay with that and think it would hold the program together very nicely for the following coach.

GameOfThrows · Jan 23, 2016

I'm hoping for one of those magical Illini seasons that happens about once very decade.

Reasons for optimism:

Experience and depth on the D line. To me, the most important place of strength to succeed in the BIG is to have a really good Defensive line with depth. We will have that this next season.

Lunt is a senior AND we'll have QB depth (Fitz and George no longer redshirting)

Dudek returns. Huge return for the team. He catches everything and will open up the field for Cain, Turner, Hardee and Mays.

Allegretti, Megginson and Soloman. Between these 3 we will be as good or better at the two guard positions. Spencer, Dilauro and Schmidt solid veterans. In addition to a solid D line, a solid O line is essential for success in the BIG.

I know we lost some key players like Fej, Ferguson, Karras, Bentley, Ward, G-Mo, Spence, but every team loses key leaders every year. This year, we happen to have A LOT of upper-classmen to lead us through the offseason workouts, spring football, summer and fall camp to prepare properly and be ready to compete against the best.

I'm gonna say 9-3 with losses to North Carolina, Nebraska and Michigan. Upset Michigan St. and Wisconsin. Iowa and Northwestern will slide back a bit.

I know, I am loco!

FoxesFan · Jan 23, 2016

GameOfThrows said:
I'm hoping for one of those magical Illini seasons that happens about once very decade.

Reasons for optimism:

Experience and depth on the D line. To me, the most important place of strength to succeed in the BIG is to have a really good Defensive line with depth. We will have that this next season.

Lunt is a senior AND we'll have QB depth (Fitz and George no longer redshirting)

Dudek returns. Huge return for the team. He catches everything and will open up the field for Cain, Turner, Hardee and Mays.

Allegretti, Megginson and Soloman. Between these 3 we will be as good or better at the two guard positions. Spencer, Dilauro and Schmidt solid veterans. In addition to a solid D line, a solid O line is essential for success in the BIG.

I know we lost some key players like Fej, Ferguson, Karras, Bentley, Ward, G-Mo, Spence, but every team loses key leaders every year. This year, we happen to have A LOT of upper-classmen to lead us through the offseason workouts, spring football, summer and fall camp to prepare properly and be ready to compete against the best.

I'm gonna say 9-3 with losses to North Carolina, Nebraska and Michigan. Upset Michigan St. and Wisconsin. Iowa and Northwestern will slide back a bit.

I know, I am loco!

Awesome analysis. These are some things that we can only hope for, and hope is good! Now, get back to recruiting, Bill :thumb:

DERVstroy · Jan 28, 2016

2016 Illini Football Schedule
Sep 03__W__Murray State
Sep 10__L__North Carolina
Sep 17__L__Western Michigan
Sep 24_______Bye Week___
Oct 01__L_@ Nebraska
Oct 08__W__Purdue
Oct 15__W__@ Rutgers
Oct 22_ L___@ Michigan
Oct 29__L__Minnesota (Homecoming)
Nov 05__L__Michigan State
Nov 12__L__@ Wisconsin
Nov 19__L__Iowa
Nov 26__L__@ Northwestern

3-9 this team sucks

JDHalfrack · Jan 28, 2016

I think best case scenario is 7-5.
Worst case scenario is probably 1-11.
The most likely outcome is 3-9.

drew306 · Jan 28, 2016

3-9 seems to be a popular pick on here but don't sleep on 4-8! Beat Murray State, Western Michigan, Purdue and we only have to Rutgers on the road or Minnesota at home to win that 4th game!

I'll be optimistic and say 5-7 :chief:

Bomb Squad 217 · Jan 28, 2016

Hmmmm, Ill sip on some kool aid and call it 9-3. Why not.

unimaroon · Jan 28, 2016

We beat Murray St, W. Mich, PU, Rutgers and get a lucky win over MN to put us at 5-3 with 4 games left to get bowl eligible. Just one win away, just one. 5-7 again.

Konnie · Feb 16, 2016

Tickets 2016

2016 Illini Football Ticket Options
http://www.fightingillini.com/news/2016/2/18/Football_0218162643.aspx

I logoned to my online ticket account and the 2016 Illini football season and individual game tickets were listed with pricing. Below I have included the season ticket prices and some representative individual game prices.

2016 Football Season Tickets
West / Public 240.00
2016 Football Season Tickets
East / Public 240.00
2016 Football Season Tickets
Horseshoe / Public 99.00
2016 Football Season Tickets
EM/EB / Public 150.00
2016 Football Season Tickets
Prime / Public 320.00
2016 Football Season Tickets
East Balcony / Public 99.00

Murray State
West / Public 35.00
Murray State
East / Public 35.00
Murray State
EM/EB / Public 25.00
Murray State
Prime / Public 45.00

Iowa
West / Public 50.00
Iowa
East / Public 50.00
Iowa
EM/EB / Public 35.00
Iowa
Prime / Public 65.00

chief2007 · Feb 16, 2016

Ramrod2010 said:
I thought people were saying that next years (now this years) schedule would be easier... That does not look easier.

One less out of conference game

Jacob · Feb 16, 2016

Soxfreak64 said:
Offense:
Must find two new Guards on the O-Line
Dudek, Hardee return
Dre Brown now healthy

Defense:
Must find new SS
Must replace two corners
Must replace DE (best DL)
Must replace MLB
Must grasp new system

In short, I don't see the run game improving enough to open up the offense and I see a really ugly year on defense.

Jihad Ward was our most talented but DJ Smoot was the best on the D-Line. Carroll Phillips seemed to make a jump at the end of the season. Tre Watson is physically imposing and the overall speed of the Linebacker core is better. Dunlap was the most talented corner last year and Caleb Day is athletic for days. Pat Nelson will be very good next year

Bomb Squad 217 · Feb 16, 2016

Jacob said:
Jihad Ward was our most talented but DJ Smoot was the best on the D-Line. Carroll Phillips seemed to make a jump at the end of the season. Tre Watson is physically imposing and the overall speed of the Linebacker core is better. Dunlap was the most talented corner last year and Caleb Day is athletic for days. Pat Nelson will be very good next year

I got a good feeling about Justice Williams as well.

Jacob · Feb 16, 2016

Bomb Squad 217 said:
I got a good feeling about Justice Williams as well.

I like him as well. I think he is super athletic but I think he backs up Crawford and takes over as a redshirt Junior while being a backup we can trust which has been at since 2001 we have been able to say that about a back up Linebacker

I think the 2 deep will be

Will: Crawford/Williams
Mike: Watson/Svetina
Sam: Harding/Jones

Doxy and hopefully Austin Roberts play special teams and let the other 3 redshirt

Cubby Blue · Feb 17, 2016

Jacob said:
Jihad Ward was our most talented but DJ Smoot was the best on the D-Line. Carroll Phillips seemed to make a jump at the end of the season. Tre Watson is physically imposing and the overall speed of the Linebacker core is better. Dunlap was the most talented corner last year and Caleb Day is athletic for days. Pat Nelson will be very good next year

I myself think Teko can have just as good a year as Ward had. :thumb: People talk about Dude K coming back, but forget about Teko.

Illini Football 2016

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