Illini Football 2019

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#226      

reopseed60

Naples, Florida
We have an offensive line that has proven they can open holes, running backs that are experienced , that includes a 1000 yard runner, a QB who has won games in the Big 10 a rookie QB twice player of the year in Mazzoo, experience defensive backs, experienced line backers, the only thing we have to improve is defensive line, which our head coach has taken personal responsibility for. maybe we can be better than most think we are!!!!!!!!!
 
#227      
Here's another, apologies if already posted: BIG Coaches Ranked

Lovie at 13 without comment. I'm not optimistic about the coming season. I love college football, so I'll enjoy it anyway. I don't think the BIG will have a dominant team, so it wouldn't surprise me at all to see us shutout of the playoff. I'd much rather have a format where the conference champs went to the playoff, but if it's a 2 loss team, I doubt it will.

If we have some highlights this season, I'll be satisfied. A game or two that we surprise people and show some potential will make me happy. Not expecting any consistency, or ability to hang with the top teams even at home.
Of all the useless polls out there, why would you post this one without any comments on the bottom three coaches? The author needs to back up placing Locksley ahead of Smith. That's just nuts.
 
#228      

BananaShampoo

Captain 'Paign
Phoenix, AZ
We have an offensive line that has proven they can open holes, running backs that are experienced , that includes a 1000 yard runner, a QB who has won games in the Big 10 a rookie QB twice player of the year in Mazzoo, experience defensive backs, experienced line backers, the only thing we have to improve is defensive line, which our head coach has taken personal responsibility for. maybe we can be better than most think we are!!!!!!!!!
I can get down with Re-Op Seed's point of view.
 
#229      

Deleted member 533939

D
Guest
Of all the useless polls out there, why would you post this one without any comments on the bottom three coaches? The author needs to back up placing Locksley ahead of Smith. That's just nuts.
They actually do have some words on Lovie, but the formatting is weird.

"Smith's first college head coaching job after 11 years in the NFL has been a disaster. Illinois is 4-23 against Big Ten competition during his tenure (0-10 vs. ranked teams) and many of those contests haven't been competitive. With the program handcuffed and unable to do anything with a bad contract, Smith received a two-year extension from the Illini in November."
 
#230      
They actually do have some words on Lovie, but the formatting is weird.

"Smith's first college head coaching job after 11 years in the NFL has been a disaster. Illinois is 4-23 against Big Ten competition during his tenure (0-10 vs. ranked teams) and many of those contests haven't been competitive. With the program handcuffed and unable to do anything with a bad contract, Smith received a two-year extension from the Illini in November."
OK, thanks, but nothing on Locksley (nor Allen).
 
#231      

Deleted member 654622

D
Guest
They actually do have some words on Lovie, but the formatting is weird.

"Smith's first college head coaching job after 11 years in the NFL has been a disaster. Illinois is 4-23 against Big Ten competition during his tenure (0-10 vs. ranked teams) and many of those contests haven't been competitive. With the program handcuffed and unable to do anything with a bad contract, Smith received a two-year extension from the Illini in November."

Uh can we go back to where they didn't have any comments about Lovie...
 
#232      
Here's another, apologies if already posted: BIG Coaches Ranked

Lovie at 13 without comment. I'm not optimistic about the coming season. I love college football, so I'll enjoy it anyway. I don't think the BIG will have a dominant team, so it wouldn't surprise me at all to see us shutout of the playoff. I'd much rather have a format where the conference champs went to the playoff, but if it's a 2 loss team, I doubt it will.

If we have some highlights this season, I'll be satisfied. A game or two that we surprise people and show some potential will make me happy. Not expecting any consistency, or ability to hang with the top teams even at home.

I think a fair expectation for this team is 4 wins, 3 toss ups, and 1 blowout loss. But I get your hesitation.
 
#233      

Illiniaaron

Geneseo, IL
They actually do have some words on Lovie, but the formatting is weird.

"Smith's first college head coaching job after 11 years in the NFL has been a disaster. Illinois is 4-23 against Big Ten competition during his tenure (0-10 vs. ranked teams) and many of those contests haven't been competitive. With the program handcuffed and unable to do anything with a bad contract, Smith received a two-year extension from the Illini in November."
That comment shows a complete lack of insight as to why Smith was given the extension.
 
#238      
I know that much of the focus is on seeing if other units improve, defense, what our quarterback play is like, new transfers, etc. So I wanted to drop this article on a great player we already have, Reggie Corbin. Especially love the stat about looking at only runs crossing the line of scrimmage and him ranking first in YPC. But I also wanted to raise an opinionated question, (to which my own is clear), whom does everyone think is the best player on the team right now heading into the season? All viewpoints welcome
Edit: The article was titled “Under-the-radar players ready for a breakout season”
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#239      
I know that much of the focus is on seeing if other units improve, defense, what our quarterback play is like, new transfers, etc. So I wanted to drop this article on a great player we already have, Reggie Corbin. Especially love the stat about looking at only runs crossing the line of scrimmage and him ranking first in YPC. But I also wanted to raise an opinionated question, (to which my own is clear), whom does everyone think is the best player on the team right now heading into the season? All viewpoints welcome
Edit: The article was titled “Under-the-radar players ready for a breakout season”
I agree with Reggie Corbin and can't think who else would be close. Was the offensive line really brutal last year? I didn't think so, but maybe I'm comparing to prior years and not Clemson.
 
#240      

Hoppy2105

Little Rock, Arkansas
6 works for me too, until we are at 6 and still have 2 to play. Then, I'll likely get greedy! :cool:

As you should be. If we are 6-4 and still have NW on the schedule we should all be expecting a 7th win. :thumb:
 
#241      
I agree with Reggie Corbin and can't think who else would be close. Was the offensive line really brutal last year? I didn't think so, but maybe I'm comparing to prior years and not Clemson.
In my opinion they weren’t brutal, in fact they were actually improved from the year before and helped him reach those numbers. I will say though, I thought our run blocking was better than pass blocking last year
 
#244      
I agree with Reggie Corbin and can't think who else would be close. Was the offensive line really brutal last year? I didn't think so, but maybe I'm comparing to prior years and not Clemson.
I'm going with Epstein being healthy and playing all year, he's a good back, just needs a whole season. 2 headed monster.
 
#246      
The defense was something like 126th out of 130th. The defensive line wan't the only problem. I've never seen receivers so wide open so often. Linebackers had a difficulty in pass coverage. The defense under the watch of Smith has much to prove.
 
#247      

Deleted member 654622

D
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I agree with Reggie Corbin and can't think who else would be close.
I'm not going to say Reggie is not no.1 but I don't believe he is head and shoulders above all others. Epstein has the talent but if you cant stay healthy, you cant count. I think Bobby R was the best player on the team before his injury. 6.5 sacks during B1G play as a true sophomore....ugh anyway. I think Nate Hobbs and Trevon Sydney are right up there.
 
#248      

Deleted member 654622

D
Guest
The defense was something like 126th out of 130th. The defensive line wan't the only problem. I've never seen receivers so wide open so often. Linebackers had a difficulty in pass coverage. The defense under the watch of Smith has much to prove.
I agree with them having much to prove. Last year we looked like a wet paper bag on defense. Hansen could not cover anyone and despite the tackle numbers, he got swallowed up vs B1G offensive lines. Quan Martin, got picked on all year. And he looked like what he was, a true freshman. Sydney Brown played real fast but looked lost and took a lot of bad angles. Toney Adams was solid when he could play and stick at safety, but that didn't happen enough. However, the defensive line is the most important unit on Lovie's schemes. If they cant win one on one battles to stop the run and rush the QB, you better have some outright beast at LB and DB. Last year, we did not!
This year, we lose our best player on our most important unit, Bobby. But the line SHOULD BE "solid". Remember Jamal Woods was looking very disruptive before he got hurt, and its time for Lere O to become an important player. They should be better at stopping the run. LB wise, our depth has greatly improved for sure. I really wish Dele Harding was only a junior because this unit, much like D line, has a lot of talent on the cusp of making some big noise. DB wise our top end talent is awesome. Nate is going to lock his side down. Quan has added some strength, but I'm not convinced he is going to hold the starting job the whole year. Beason is just a beast. Sydney could be a break out player. If he can be our Mike Brown and not Chris Conte, he can create a lot of turn overs.
A lot of ifs and buts. Much to prove
 
#249      
Epstein and Corbin complement each other. The ground game is much better when both are available. They keep each other fresh and sometimes line up together. Seeing them both in the backfield together has got to be a defensive coordinator's nightmare.
I'm guessing we have a few plays where we fake to each one and then look downfield for one on one coverage or even broken coverage. We now have the receiving corps to make defenses pay.
 
#250      

the national

the Front Range
Read these posts reminds me of how hurt we were last year. Man, we were a skeleton crew toward the end of the season. If we can stay healthy this year, I bet we will be more competitive. We are gonna have to thump someone before we get any respect.

I think Corbin and Hayes are the best individual players on the team but may not be the most critical for our success. That honor would fall on the entire defensive line.
 
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