Illini Football 2017

#126      

MadSeason

MadSeason
MadSeason
FT35 said:
Maybe McGee can coach him up this Spring. That's really all we can hope for at this point.

I didn't see anything last fall that led me to believe JGJ is a B1G QB and he doesn't fit this offense at all. He had a 40% completion percentage and that wasn't all on the WRs. He made a lot of poor decisions which is why he got yanked in favor of an injured Wes Lunt during the Wisconsin game.
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Kurt Kittner had a 44% completion rate with 1 TD and 7 interceptions his first year.

Alot of first time starters struggle with bad decisions, particularly agsinst Big 10 opponents. He was also running a new system.

The Offensive talent should receive a considerable boost this year, George has a full year in system and McGee is a terrific coach. It's a little early to write him off imo
 
#127      

FT35

FT35
Naperville
FT35
MadSeason said:
Kurt Kittner had a 44% completion rate with 1 TD and 7 interceptions his first year.

Alot of first time starters struggle with bad decisions, particularly agsinst Big 10 opponents. He was also running a new system.

The Offensive talent should receive a considerable boost this year, George has a full year in system and McGee is a terrific coach. It's a little early to write him off imo
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Kittner was a True Freshman. JGJ most certainly was not. Even if he improves his decision making he's still not a fit for this offense.
But alas, I've said what I've had to say and can only hope that he improves. Other people are obviously higher on JGJ that I am.

I do have faith in McGee and I do believe there will be a marked improvement at WR this fall.
 
#128      

LurkLongandProsper

L
C-U
LurkLongandProsper
FT35 said:
Kittner was a True Freshman. JGJ most certainly was not. Even if he improves his decision making he's still not a fit for this offense.
But alas, I've said what I've had to say and can only hope that he improves. Other people are obviously higher on JGJ that I am.

I do have faith in McGee and I do believe there will be a marked improvement at WR this fall.
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JGJ was still a redshirt freshman who entered the season as the #3 and spent his RS year learning a different scheme. Let us not forget he started @ Michigan and @ Wisconsin, either. Those would've been tough games for any QB, let alone a guy in his first 3 starts with minimal reps in this system, AND with our bad WR corps from last year. Definitely too early to write him off. Please note I am not saying he will ever be a worldbeater either, but he was legitimately thrown to the wolves in '16.
 
#129      

mhuml32

mhuml32
Cincinnati, OH
mhuml32
thunderwear said:
Interesting story. curious why his recruitment went nowhere. However, before recently Rockford was kind of like this and there are something like 12 high schools. Could it be such a small town that no one really checks him out?
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Rockford is one of the biggest cities in the state.

For the HS QB from Georgia: from his Hudl video, that competition is really really bad. I only watched the first five minutes, but almost every single highlight is his team running four verts or a little window dressing that leads to four verts.
 
#130      

Second and Chalmers

S
Second and Chalmers
mhuml32 said:
Rockford is one of the biggest cities in the state.

For the HS QB from Georgia: from his Hudl video, that competition is really really bad. I only watched the first five minutes, but almost every single highlight is his team running four verts or a little window dressing that leads to four verts.
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It worked for me in NFL Blitz.
 
#131      

illynifan34

I
That's a winner!!
OH
illynifan34
mhuml32 said:
Rockford is one of the biggest cities in the state.

For the HS QB from Georgia: from his Hudl video, that competition is really really bad. I only watched the first five minutes, but almost every single highlight is his team running four verts or a little window dressing that leads to four verts.
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That's basically what Mike Leach ran at Texas Tech.
 
#132      

mhuml32

mhuml32
Cincinnati, OH
mhuml32
illynifan34 said:
That's basically what Mike Leach ran at Texas Tech.
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I wouldn't say the Air Raid system is focused on four verts. When Leach was at Tech, I don't remember a guy that was a burner, as he focused more on possession receivers (Crabtree, Welker) and very accurate QBs. Looking at his magical 2007 season at TTU, Graham Harrell averaged less yards per throw than Tim Tebow in the spread offense, but was significantly more accurate.

I will say the HS QB had good pocket presence and has good touch. Would like to see a lot more regarding his ability to do anything besides throwing over the top of 5'7'' CBs facing 6'4'' WRs in one-on-one coverage.
 
#133      

Illiini

Illiini
In the land of the Nittany Lion
Illiini
MadSeason said:
Alot of first time starters struggle with bad decisions, particularly agsinst Big 10 opponents.
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Just to add one more thing in defense of JGJ: What kind of protection was he getting? He was thrown into the deep end, the really deep end, with the world collapsing around him. Bad decisions? Sheesh, it took massive stones just to trot out on the field. Talk about your hard decisions. :eek:

Greatest quarterback in college football? Of course not. But with time to watch for guys who are able to get open and catch the ball, even I could make a few connections. No, scratch that. Not me. But JGJ? Sure.
 
#134      

illynifan34

I
That's a winner!!
OH
illynifan34
mhuml32 said:
I wouldn't say the Air Raid system is focused on four verts. When Leach was at Tech, I don't remember a guy that was a burner, as he focused more on possession receivers (Crabtree, Welker) and very accurate QBs. Looking at his magical 2007 season at TTU, Graham Harrell averaged less yards per throw than Tim Tebow in the spread offense, but was significantly more accurate.

I will say the HS QB had good pocket presence and has good touch. Would like to see a lot more regarding his ability to do anything besides throwing over the top of 5'7'' CBs facing 6'4'' WRs in one-on-one coverage.
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I thought when I read his book he said the called a lot of 4 verts with the QB and receiver needing to recognize the option out of it during the play. So any given play would be 4 verts with any or all receivers doing something different based on the defense.
 
#135      

LurkLongandProsper

L
C-U
LurkLongandProsper
Bill Connelly just released 2017 S&P+ Projections. Illinois at 85th. Here's our 2017 schedule in S&P+:

v Ball State: 90th
v Western Kentucky: 51st
@ South Florida: 56th
v Nebraska: 42nd
@ Iowa: 48th
v Rutgers: 92nd
@ Minnesota: 47th
v Wisconsin: 11th
@ Purdue: 87th
v Indiana: 39th
@ Ohio State: 2nd
v Northwestern: 37th

So if we win every game against teams worse than us, 3-9. Just a projection; albeit sombering
 
#136      

mhuml32

mhuml32
Cincinnati, OH
mhuml32
LurkLongandProsper said:
Bill Connelly just released 2017 S&P+ Projections. Illinois at 85th. Here's our 2017 schedule in S&P+:

v Ball State: 90th
v Western Kentucky: 51st
@ South Florida: 56th
v Nebraska: 42nd
@ Iowa: 48th
v Rutgers: 92nd
@ Minnesota: 47th
v Wisconsin: 11th
@ Purdue: 87th
v Indiana: 39th
@ Ohio State: 2nd
v Northwestern: 37th

So if we win every game against teams worse than us, 3-9. Just a projection; albeit sombering
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I think that prediction is pretty accurate. Recruiting class is good, but the current players are not as good
 
#137      

combes

C
combes
LurkLongandProsper said:
JGJ was still a redshirt freshman who entered the season as the #3 and spent his RS year learning a different scheme. Let us not forget he started @ Michigan and @ Wisconsin, either. Those would've been tough games for any QB, let alone a guy in his first 3 starts with minimal reps in this system, AND with our bad WR corps from last year. Definitely too early to write him off. Please note I am not saying he will ever be a worldbeater either, but he was legitimately thrown to the wolves in '16.
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If George is ever going to get the job, it will be this year. A golden opportunity for him being the only scholarship quarterback in the spring. It's definitely his make or break year.
 
#139      

dub80

D
dub80
LurkLongandProsper said:
Bill Connelly just released 2017 S&P+ Projections. Illinois at 85th. Here's our 2017 schedule in S&P+:

v Ball State: 90th
v Western Kentucky: 51st
@ South Florida: 56th
v Nebraska: 42nd
@ Iowa: 48th
v Rutgers: 92nd
@ Minnesota: 47th
v Wisconsin: 11th
@ Purdue: 87th
v Indiana: 39th
@ Ohio State: 2nd
v Northwestern: 37th

So if we win every game against teams worse than us, 3-9. Just a projection; albeit sombering
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With this schedule I believe we have a GREAT chance at reaching 6 wins. Lovie an co WILL have the defense improved. I believe the secondary and improvements in the Linebackers will offset the decline in the Dline. Im not counting out the starters at Defensive end as will. Of course they wont be Smoot and Phillips but they can be a decent bunch with good plays here and there from the freshman. I actually like out DTs I think Milan and Jackson will have good years.


On offense the big worry is the QB situation. Will Lawson get enough time to settle in when he comes in the summer. JGJ will definitely improve by being the #1 in the spring. I loved the running game last year Foster and Corbin played great to me hopefully brown can add a lil to that as well. Plus the addition of DudeK and the freshman with their speed and playmaking it will open up the running game even more. Im super excited but these are just my opinions............
 
#140      

dub80

D
dub80
LurkLongandProsper said:
Bill Connelly just released 2017 S&P+ Projections. Illinois at 85th. Here's our 2017 schedule in S&P+:

v Ball State: 90th
v Western Kentucky: 51st
@ South Florida: 56th
v Nebraska: 42nd
@ Iowa: 48th
v Rutgers: 92nd
@ Minnesota: 47th
v Wisconsin: 11th
@ Purdue: 87th
v Indiana: 39th
@ Ohio State: 2nd
v Northwestern: 37th

So if we win every game against teams worse than us, 3-9. Just a projection; albeit sombering
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JUST MY OPINION!




I think Ball st, W Kentucky, Rutgers, Minnesota, Purdue, and Indiana are all definitely winnable games!


And also I believe we can beat Nebraska, Iowa and Northwestern as well.


As a HUGE Bear fan I seen the DRAMATIC improvement the Bears made from the 04 to the 05 season. Even though the didn't lose as much leadership and playmaking as the illini did. I think as a whole the illini improves a lot this season.
 
#141      

LurkLongandProsper

L
C-U
LurkLongandProsper
I agree 6 wins is doable, but it's not likely. Here's a question: how many positions does 1 injury send us into a downwards spiral at? IMO, while our depth is getting better, we still have quite a few shallow positions where I wouldn't be confident in the depth covering for injuries to starters at all. RB and maybe LB/S can weather an injury. maybe DT, what happens if we have any elsewhere? That's why I'm not supremely confident in a bowl this year.

And to clarify, that's not to say I expect that to NOT be the case next year (I think our starters will be much better than this year though, which is why I think we can do it next year) or for many 6-6 teams nationally, but I really think we are particularly vulnerable to one injury really killing us.
 
#143      

HDawgg2005

H
HDawgg2005
BWBW said:
Perhaps we should forgo a QB and just put three running backs in. The center gets to snap to his choice of back and that's the guy who runs with the ball. :D
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I coach high school football. A team we played a few years back essentially had an offense like this. The Center would literally roll the ball back to the RBs. There was technically a QB who did some handoffs, but any one of the three could receive the snap. They sucked, but it did make for an interesting week of practice trying to prepare our defense.
 
#145      

EfremWinters84

E
S. Carolina
EfremWinters84
LurkLongandProsper said:
Bill Connelly just released 2017 S&P+ Projections. Illinois at 85th. Here's our 2017 schedule in S&P+:

v Ball State: 90th
v Western Kentucky: 51st
@ South Florida: 56th
v Nebraska: 42nd
@ Iowa: 48th
v Rutgers: 92nd
@ Minnesota: 47th
v Wisconsin: 11th
@ Purdue: 87th
v Indiana: 39th
@ Ohio State: 2nd
v Northwestern: 37th

So if we win every game against teams worse than us, 3-9. Just a projection; albeit sombering
Click to expand...
I'd interpret differently....

We're at least 30 slots behind nine of the twelve teams on our schedule. Like us, the other three teams are essentially tied with us (we're all ranked 85-92). I consider these last three to be "toss-ups" games.

I'd suggest we brace ourselves for a 1-11 or 2-10 season!
 
#146      

MadSeason

MadSeason
MadSeason
EfremWinters84 said:
I'd interpret differently....

We're at least 30 slots behind nine of the twelve teams on our schedule. Like us, the other three teams are essentially tied with us (we're all ranked 85-92). I consider these last three to be "toss-ups" games.

I'd suggest we brace ourselves for a 1-11 or 2-10 season!
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I disagree. 4 teams on our schedule have new coaches. While USF and W. Kentucky have been better than us they aren't the type of juggernauts that just endure a change without hiccups. Particularly early on in the season.

Minnesota landed a good one in Fleck but that is a roster in turmoil with a great deal of turnover. They will be very young.

I would put us in the 4-7 win category, but I'm more optimistic about our Defense than most here.
 
#147      

lstewart53x3

lstewart53x3
Scottsdale, Arizona
lstewart53x3
EfremWinters84 said:
I'd interpret differently....

We're at least 30 slots behind nine of the twelve teams on our schedule. Like us, the other three teams are essentially tied with us (we're all ranked 85-92). I consider these last three to be "toss-ups" games.

I'd suggest we brace ourselves for a 1-11 or 2-10 season!
Click to expand...

I'd say preseason rankings mean little to nothing at this point.
 
#148      

JDHalfrack

J
Springfield, IL
JDHalfrack
EfremWinters84 said:
I'd suggest we brace ourselves for a 1-11 or 2-10 season!
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While I see where you're coming from, a 2-10 season or worse would be disastrous for the building of this program. I understand we're still in "rebuilding mode", but we went 3-10 last year with a worse team and a harder schedule. We need to win at least 4 games this year, and even that is probably not good.

I'm not saying we will win 5 games this year, but we absolutely have to hope we find a way to.

I think the easiest path for us is to do that is to beat Rutgers, Purdue, Indiana and two out of three of our OOC games.
 
#149      

blmillini

B
Bloomington, IL
blmillini
JDHalfrack said:
While I see where you're coming from, a 2-10 season or worse would be disastrous for the building of this program. I understand we're still in "rebuilding mode", but we went 3-10 last year with a worse team and a harder schedule. We need to win at least 4 games this year, and even that is probably not good.

I'm not saying we will win 5 games this year, but we absolutely have to hope we find a way to.

I think the easiest path for us is to do that is to beat Rutgers, Purdue, Indiana and two out of three of our OOC games.
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What makes you think last year was a worse team? And, why would it be disastrous? We will be far too young with too many key player losses to expect to be better. Recruiting would take a little bit of a hit but the message will be the same as this year and the team will finally start to win some games the following year, at which time recruiting picks up... no disaster, but another rough season.
 
#150      

2ndGenIllini

2
Chambana
2ndGenIllini
As much as I'd like to say that it is, I don't think the Indiana game is one that we can say we "should" win. They return a ton of talent on defense and a decent offense. A successful season would mean beating them, but that one will be tough. They should return to Purdue-level in the next couple years though.

The hope is that Lovie's coaching ability makes up for the youth on defense and that whoever our QB is can figure out a way to manage a serviceable offense.