I think the Illinois projection is two wins too low.
Illini Football 2022
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They will have to win a couple/few games they are not favored it to win 6.
This guy is predicting we lose all but one of our non conference games. I am thinking we are a 7 win team.
cuillini
- San Bernardino, Ca.
Living in socal, I can't wait to see the Illini at either the Rose Bowl or Coliseum.
soupy17
- MI
Yeah this is my view too. Definitely a tough look at the schedule right now. Based on ESPN's FPI Matchup Predictor (not the best metric but it's something)
Likely W's (>75% chance to win):
Wyoming, Chattanooga
Likely L's (<25% chance to win):
@Wisconsin, @Nebraska, Michigan State, @Michigan
Gettable "upset" (30-40% chance to win)
@Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Purdue
Toss Ups:
Virginia, @Northwestern
Need the gimmes, convert both toss-ups, and steal 2 others to get to 6.
I can definitely see a path to 6, but 4 is probably a fair projection from a neutral to think we get Wyoming, Chat, one toss up and one upset or "upset" on the year.
illini80
- Forgottonia
I’d see Neby as at least gettable. I’d also put Purdue and Indiana in the toss up category. It doesn’t really matter which group you want to put them in, we just have to win! I’m anxious to see the guys play some real football in just over 7 weeks!!
soupy17
- MI
My personal view would definitely put the Indiana game as a toss up and Neb as a gettable upset. I think ESPN's ratings tend to put a pretty heavy emphasis on home field.
I do think this team can win 6-7 and I would predict a 6 win season, but they will have to steal a couple. The good thing is I see most of the schedule as winnable except for wisconsin and michigan
redwingillini11
White and Sixth
- North Aurora
I am feeling bullish and that is making me think 5 again. Wyoming, Chattanooga, Purdue, Northwestern, and then one of Minnesota or Virginia. I have faith that we are raising the floor and becoming a more disciplined program. In a tough year roster construction wise, I think 5 wins would be very reasonable.
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
His numbers are predicting wins against Chattanooga + highly likely win against Wyoming.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I’m somewhat optimistic that we’ll have fewer “blew it” games like UTSA, Maryland and Purdue. We upset two ranked teams on the road last year, as well as having Iowa on the ropes at Kinnick for a bit! I think it’s fair to say there are a wide range of possibilities with our schedule, lol…
TheFlyingIllini1317
- Chicago, IL
Last year I predicted 5-7 and that's what we got, despite 3 blown games. This year if we can somehow get to 6 it will be big. Recruiting will become easier, and our non-con schedule gets much easier in the future too.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I just pray we are competitive by the time Mizzou’s ugly mug shows up on the schedule again…
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Does anyone know if PWO QB Kirkland Michaux is on campus yet? And has anyone seen him throw? Not gonna lie, kid's intriguing. Expecting a cannon. Hope he's not a statue.
I've heard that he is on campus, but have no idea whether anyone has seen him throw. Why are you expecting a "cannon" arm? I don't recall hearing him described that way when he signed. (Personally, I think the team needs a reliably accurate passer and quick decision-maker more than a quarterback with an unusually strong arm.)
Illinivek23
- Gurnee
Probably because he is a JC pitcher? That was my expectation. Big kid, big arm from a big, high-level TX high school that misses football.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Michaux has limited experience but you're right, he does have a cannon. Kid can flat out sling it and comes from a great program at Westlake HS. If I'm being honest, he might be our 3rd best Qb right now, lot of upside as well.
217sports
- Springfield
He hasn’t played football (to my knowledge) in minimum 2 years. Let’s give him a chance to get back in it and see something on the practice field at a minimum before putting too high of expectations on the kid
His tape is awesome. I will bet on a kid who's a state champion against some of the best competition in the country. He may never see rep at QB (in-game) for us BUT it is shocking he didn't draw any P5 attention.
I think 7 is possible but I think 5 or 6 is likely. We need to win one or two we have no business winning, because we're going to drop one or two we have no business losing. There's just so many unknowns, and dammitz that's the way Coach B likes it. I think we stay good defensively. Offense takes a big step up. Special teams will remain solid. I think our passing game will exist this year which will really open up our run game. If I were an opposing defense I'd play the run and dare us to throw over and over again. Can we do it? Here's hoping we figure out what a big TE can do for us over the middle. Six wins and I'd be a happy camper this year.
I agree with you 808. Michaeux is only lacking familiarity and comfort at this point. He still possesses the playmaking ability he displayed in high school. Give him a year and then look out!
Not sure where to put it. A great article about Bob Quinn on Facebook “Aurora Fast Pitch memories. Bob played an at UI and on the baseball team. I remember seeing him play. A great Illini.
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