Illini Football 2021

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#327      

ChiefGritty

Chicago, IL
I think Joe Maddon's motto really applies to this season.

Try Not To Suck

That might sound like pessimistic or whatever, but if we are competitive and respectable next year, we're just in a totally different position with a new regime than we have been in decades.

Absent Covid, with our seniors gone, a weak class inherited, and slim pickings available in the transfer market, we'd be staring down the same old 2-10 (0-9) we've all come to know from Year 1. Here's our opportunity to write a different story.
 
#328      

illini80

Forgottonia
I think Joe Maddon's motto really applies to this season.

Try Not To Suck

That might sound like pessimistic or whatever, but if we are competitive and respectable next year, we're just in a totally different position with a new regime than we have been in decades.

Absent Covid, with our seniors gone, a weak class inherited, and slim pickings available in the transfer market, we'd be staring down the same old 2-10 (0-9) we've all come to know from Year 1. Here's our opportunity to write a different story.
I do think realistic expectations for next year are important. The talent level just isn’t there to be anything better than average and that would be a big step up from what weve been. We could be much improved and very competitive and not win more than 5 games. I just expect to see a better product on the field. If we get 6 wins I’ll be happy for year 1.
 
#329      

ChiefGritty

Chicago, IL
I do think realistic expectations for next year are important. The talent level just isn’t there to be anything better than average and that would be a big step up from what weve been. We could be much improved and very competitive and not win more than 5 games. I just expect to see a better product on the field. If we get 6 wins I’ll be happy for year 1.
The other thing is, we are not the only team that's going to have returning seniors all over the field.

But again, the Year 1 bar of Turner, Zook, Beckman and Lovie is unimaginably low. We SHOULD hurdle that bar pretty comfortably, and it will be worrying if we don't. Beckman and Lovie should have too, and their failure to do so foretold the future.
 
#331      
Turner, Zook, Beckman and Lovie Year 1:

2-0 against Rutgers, 2-0 against FCS teams, 3-39 against everyone else.

Who were those three teams? Purdue maybe in Lovie’s year 1?

When was that crazy JGJr beat MSU game?

I’m honestly surprised we had 3 wins outside if Rutgers/FCS.
 
#334      

mhuml32

Cincinnati, OH
Who were those three teams? Purdue maybe in Lovie’s year 1?

When was that crazy JGJr beat MSU game?

I’m honestly surprised we had 3 wins outside if Rutgers/FCS.

Zook beat Rutgers and San Jose State. Beckman beat Western Michigan and Charleston Southern. Lovie beat Murray State, Rutgers (road), and Michigan State. One road win in total.
 
#338      

Deleted member 654622

D
Guest
If we started out 5-0 overall 3-0 B1G lookout!!
BIG MO WILL BE ROLLING LIKE ITS THE 80'S AROUND MEMORIAL STADIUM!!
That being said I'll be happy with good sound football for 40 min Record will take care of itself But But lol
Well if we win our first 5, our next game is home verse Charlotte. I hope we are at the point we can just roll out of bed and beat a team like them. Now 6-0 coming off a bye going to Penn State......There would be a lot of hype for that game but I think that mountain is way to high for us at this point
 
#340      
Well if we win our first 5, our next game is home verse Charlotte. I hope we are at the point we can just roll out of bed and beat a team like them. Now 6-0 coming off a bye going to Penn State......There would be a lot of hype for that game but I think that mountain is way to high for us at this point
Let's do it!!
 
#342      

Deleted member 654622

D
Guest
Barker was very good this year. That shouldn't keep us from using a another TE.
I do not disagree with this at all. And considering the current WR room, it would make a lot more sense to have them both on the field. I am just pointing out that Barker does get lost in the Ford conversation. He has been good, and he deserves that acknowledgment from us fans
 
#343      
If fans can return to the Memorial Stadium this fall do they think season ticke will increase because of BB hiring?
 
#344      
I love Luke and his potential. But it seems everyone who is yelling for more Luke is overlooking Barker's actual production. He has been a really productive for us
Barker excels at two things: 1) catching passes; and 2) drawing penalties for acting like a selfish jerk. He needs to improve his blocking and stop the nonsense. On the optimistic side, both of his deficits can and should be corrected by good coaching.
Anyway, it's even more enjoyable to be really optimistic and believe that this season we can perhaps play two talented tight ends who can each catch passes and also block effectively for their teammates.
 
#345      
Anyway, it's even more enjoyable to be really optimistic and believe that this season we can perhaps play two talented tight ends who can each catch passes and also block effectively for their teammates.
Gee. Like a good team? Wouldn't that be amazing.
 
#347      
Barker excels at two things: 1) catching passes; and 2) drawing penalties for acting like a selfish jerk. He needs to improve his blocking and stop the nonsense. On the optimistic side, both of his deficits can and should be corrected by good coaching.
Anyway, it's even more enjoyable to be really optimistic and believe that this season we can perhaps play two talented tight ends who can each catch passes and also block effectively for their teammates.
I hear very often, on this board, that one can't just depend on hs stats. Why is everyone going by Ford's hs stats when he hasn't accomplished anything at the college level at this time. Why all the hypocrisy?
 
#348      

Deleted member 654622

D
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2) drawing penalties for acting like a selfish jerk. He needs to improve his blocking and stop the nonsense.
This is a ridiculous unjustified statement
Anyway, it's even more enjoyable to be really optimistic and believe that this season we can perhaps play two talented tight ends who can each catch passes and also block effectively for their teammates.

Someone can fact check me but I seem to recall Luke having a lot of snaps last year. If that is true, we actually played two talented tight ends who can each catch passes and also block effectively for their teammates.
 
#349      
I love Luke and his potential. But it seems everyone who is yelling for more Luke is overlooking Barker's actual production. He has been a really productive for us
He watched from the 2 tight end system expert in NE. I think there are opportunities to utilize here in certain situations
 
#350      

illini80

Forgottonia
He watched from the 2 tight end system expert in NE. I think there are opportunities to utilize here in certain situations
And both coordinators said they will run what matches the talent on the team. I think 2 TE’s will see the field on a regular basis.
 
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