Illini Football 2017
This is exactly where my head is at as well. Can see anywhere from 2-5 wins realistically, with an overachieving 6 wins as a distant possibility. I've got high expectations for 2018 though and I hope that this year continues to build up towards what could be a fun 2018 season. I've said since 2015 that whoever inherits the program in 2018 is set for a big year :thumb:
FT35
- Naperville
2-3 wins sounds about right to me.
Do you honestly think this year's defense is going to be better than last year's? I like the secondary but the front seven is a major question mark.
Watson is the only one out of that group that has started 10+ games. I'm guessing Phillips is going to also start at LB and then take the best of Jones/Harding/Hansen/Williams for the other spot.
At DL....wow! Carney, Jackson, Oliver, Odenbigo, Milan, Oladipo, McGrew......just not a lot of experience there.
Our only hope is a giant leap on the offensive side of the ball. Crouch/Lawson are the wild cards here. We'll see a big upgrade at WR but the RBs and OL should pretty much be the same. Maybe someone like Epstein steps up but we were 13th in the B1G in rushing yards. Having a QB that can run will help.
I was honestly expecting 0 wins heading into 2013 so maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised.
Regardless, I'm really looking forward to seeing both Greens, Carney, Oladipo, Epstein, Smalling, Phillips, etc.
Do you honestly think this year's defense is going to be better than last year's? I like the secondary but the front seven is a major question mark.
Watson is the only one out of that group that has started 10+ games. I'm guessing Phillips is going to also start at LB and then take the best of Jones/Harding/Hansen/Williams for the other spot.
At DL....wow! Carney, Jackson, Oliver, Odenbigo, Milan, Oladipo, McGrew......just not a lot of experience there.
Our only hope is a giant leap on the offensive side of the ball. Crouch/Lawson are the wild cards here. We'll see a big upgrade at WR but the RBs and OL should pretty much be the same. Maybe someone like Epstein steps up but we were 13th in the B1G in rushing yards. Having a QB that can run will help.
I was honestly expecting 0 wins heading into 2013 so maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised.
Regardless, I'm really looking forward to seeing both Greens, Carney, Oladipo, Epstein, Smalling, Phillips, etc.
Put me down for 4 wins.
I am actually bullish on our Defense being better this year due to familiarity with the system. I love Phillips and I think he will be a capable replacement for Nickerson. I share your concerns on Defensive ends, but I think we will be very good on inside. We really need McGrew and Adesanya to step up to allow the young guys time to get acclimated. I think we hit the jackpot this year with Oladipo, Carney and Roundtree. Watching Roundtree's film looks like watching a young Simeon Rice. Long arms and legs rangy athlete.
Offense I am more concerned about honestly. If a combo of George and Crouch can at least be average I like our O-Line and newcomers at skill positions
I think our OL will be slightly better since the young guys will have had a year in the system. Same with RBs, with the possibility of a freshman adding something. WR will be better, and maybe even really good if Dudek can come back to anywhere his first year, along with an experienced Turner and a ton of speed from the new guys. QB is defenitely the wild card. Even though he's not the perfect fit for the O, let's hope some lights go on for JGJ between now and the start of the season as he gains spring reps, or Crouch straightens out his throwing accuracy.
Defense, I'm hopeful all the playing time the young guys got last year will pay off a little, and make up for all our losses from graduation. The D backfield will be the strength, for whatever that's worth. I think the LBs will benefit the most from having had a year in the system, and am hoping one or two will suddenly get it, a la Tre Watson. The interior DL I think will actually be respectable to possibly quite good, especially Milan. Depth is a big issue there. The future is bright at DE, but for next season god knows how the new guys will do. Having to rely on Henry and Sean as possbile starters does not inspire confidence. I'm really glad Carney enrolled early, but going up against experienced B1G tackles will be a challenge for any 18-year-old. I'm guessing our leading tackler will be Watson or Green, maybe Philips.
Defense, I'm hopeful all the playing time the young guys got last year will pay off a little, and make up for all our losses from graduation. The D backfield will be the strength, for whatever that's worth. I think the LBs will benefit the most from having had a year in the system, and am hoping one or two will suddenly get it, a la Tre Watson. The interior DL I think will actually be respectable to possibly quite good, especially Milan. Depth is a big issue there. The future is bright at DE, but for next season god knows how the new guys will do. Having to rely on Henry and Sean as possbile starters does not inspire confidence. I'm really glad Carney enrolled early, but going up against experienced B1G tackles will be a challenge for any 18-year-old. I'm guessing our leading tackler will be Watson or Green, maybe Philips.
I remember when Zook took over and started to land good classes. I believe an Ohio State assistant mentioned how the Illini defense just kept getting faster year after years. I think we will need to enjoy the youth and growth of the next couple of classes and not focus on wins.
Glad Wilson is out at Indiana. It hasn't entirely translated to wins, but they have just seemed to be a tougher, scrappier, more talented team than Indianas of the past. I used to think we were special to have had Mendenhall and Pierre Thomas both as lead backs on NFL teams at the same time. Indiana can claim Jordan Howard and Tevin Coleman! - a much better combo, both absolute studs. Looking forward to their descent.
Absolutely. They have 1 maybe 2 more years of a chance at a bowl game due to Wilson recruiting at a respectable level. But there's no way Allen maintains that level and they will soon return to the basement of the Big Ten.
Had an article from one of the ESPN writers come up on my app today that said that the Rutgers game on October 14th is the must-win game for the 2017 season with the Western Kentucky game on September 9th as the trap game for this upcoming season.
Dan
Admin
Ticket Info
NOW – 2017 Season Tickets are available to renew or purchase
May 16 – Mini-Plans are available for sale
June 27 – Single game tickets are available to I FUND members
June 28 – Single game tickets are available to the general public
http://www.fightingillini.com/news/...ootball-season-tickets-are-available-now.aspx
NOW – 2017 Season Tickets are available to renew or purchase
May 16 – Mini-Plans are available for sale
June 27 – Single game tickets are available to I FUND members
June 28 – Single game tickets are available to the general public
http://www.fightingillini.com/news/...ootball-season-tickets-are-available-now.aspx
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
Wow, that ticket announcement really reminded me how many winnable home games we have next season. Even with an incredibly young roster, five home wins isn't out of the question. Do that, and grab a couple on the road, and this rebuild really hits its stride.
Certainly not out of the question, but will be extremely difficult.
If we pull off your scenario, the rebuild wouldn't have just hit its stride....we'd have hit the accelerator going 88mph
I think as a whole the Illini will be a better team. Yes losing Lunt the Dline and Hardy hurts. However Lunt was gone basically half the year anyway. I think as a whole the defense other players step up. Im expecting huge leaps out of Watson, Dunlap, and both safeties. Also I think Delshawn has a decent year at MLB(not as good as hardy did though). Im also expecting improvement from the DT's on defense but yes the DEs will have a rough year.
On offense I believe the line will be improved along with foster and corbin improving as well. We cant be worse at QB than last year. If push comes to shove and we have to start JGJ yes we will have a rough year but I think Mcgee will have a better gameplan for him going forward.
On offense I believe the line will be improved along with foster and corbin improving as well. We cant be worse at QB than last year. If push comes to shove and we have to start JGJ yes we will have a rough year but I think Mcgee will have a better gameplan for him going forward.
FT35
- Naperville
William DuPont
Former professional baseball player William DuPont has joined the squad as a walk-on:
http://www.scout.com/college/illinois/story/1761097-former-baseball-player-joins-illini-football
I'm nor sure if he'll ever make an impact but there's no downside to this. Lots of professional baseball players get their tuition paid for by the team that drafted them if they don't succeed at baseball and want to go back to college (i.e. Bo Flowers).
I'm not finding anything about him ever being a football recruit, however. This article mentions that he was the leading receiver for his team during his Senior year:
http://mississippistate.247sports.c...eball-commit-William-DuPont-set-to-sign-44678
He opted to forgo playing baseball at Mississippi State in order to sign with the Blue Jays. He never made it past the Rookie League and he has been playing in unaffiliated leagues for the past couple of years:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=dupont000wil
Former professional baseball player William DuPont has joined the squad as a walk-on:
http://www.scout.com/college/illinois/story/1761097-former-baseball-player-joins-illini-football
I'm nor sure if he'll ever make an impact but there's no downside to this. Lots of professional baseball players get their tuition paid for by the team that drafted them if they don't succeed at baseball and want to go back to college (i.e. Bo Flowers).
I'm not finding anything about him ever being a football recruit, however. This article mentions that he was the leading receiver for his team during his Senior year:
http://mississippistate.247sports.c...eball-commit-William-DuPont-set-to-sign-44678
He opted to forgo playing baseball at Mississippi State in order to sign with the Blue Jays. He never made it past the Rookie League and he has been playing in unaffiliated leagues for the past couple of years:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=dupont000wil
How many years of eligibility will he have?
FT35
- Naperville
He should have five years to play four seasons. The NCAA views him the same way they would view any true Freshman.
There's such a high turnover with these players, especially walk-ons, but he could theoretically be on the squad through 2021.
FT35
- Naperville
Chris Weinke was 28 when he was a Senior at FSU:
http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/chris-weinke-1.html
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=weinke001chr
Brandon Weeden was also 28 when he was a Senior at Oklahoma State:
http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/brandon-weeden-1.html
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=weeden001bra
There used to be a rule that you lost 1 year of eligibility for every year over 25 (?), but that was removed at some point.
FT35
- Naperville
Chase Mclaughlin was awarded a scholarship. That puts the number of scholarship players on the roster at 80:
http://www.scout.com/college/illinois/a.z?s=169&p=9&c=16&yr=2017
This limits the Class of 2018 to 13 recruits without further attrition and without taking into account Dwayne Lawson.
http://www.scout.com/college/illinois/a.z?s=169&p=9&c=16&yr=2017
This limits the Class of 2018 to 13 recruits without further attrition and without taking into account Dwayne Lawson.