Agree what a loss would mean (obviously), but depends on what you mean about really close. Even if a close game score wise as long as one never feels like game is in jeopardy, I think we’ll be fine. Ideally we don’t have to dip into our bag of tricks and get by with the base systems on both sides of the ball.
Illini Football 2022
- Status
In 1988 we lost at home to Washington St 44-7 and I walked out of MS wondering if we would win 3 games that year. We ended 6-5-1 and gave Florida with Emmit Smith all they could handle in the bowl game, losing 14-10. This game will not make or break the season but just for chuckles lets win.
Yes, in and of itself the game won’t make or break the season, but a loss to Wyoming may signal any optimism about this team might be misplaced.
The WSU loss you mentioned was to a team that finished 9-3, that beat a then #1 ranked UCLA on the road later in the season, that beat #14 ranked Houston in a bowl game and that finished up ranked #16. Wyoming is not that caliber of team.
Thanks for the memories...that game was a bit unique, however, in that it was the first game at Illinois for HC John Mackovic, OC Gene Dahlquist, DC Lou Tepper, and transfer QB Jeff George. They got their growing pains out of the way, and other than getting blown out at Michigan were a really tough, competitive team the rest of the way.
QB Tommy Devito aside (ooops, are we not supposed to say who the starting QB is?), this team should be better prepared for a season game 1 than the 1988 team.
Beat Ohio State soundly at Columbus which started a 5 game winning streak over the Buckeyes. Fellow old timers correct me if I'm wrong but I think we were trailing Indiana by 13 with about 3-4 minutes left when we scored, forced a fumble and George hit a short TD pass in the last minute. We could occasionally stink up the place.
You’re correct, that was the game IU wore cream colored uniforms. They looked so pathetic we should have beaten them by 70.
Even their couldn't stand those uniforms, the absolute worst
Was also at that game. Steve Broussard was a beast if I remember correctly.
Was there. Stayed to the end as I always do, win or lose. Exciting finish. Seem to remember the day as cold with wet snow.
Had season tickets that year and had the same thought after the WSU game. When we almost beat Arizona on the road I started to reconsider and by the time we got to the UM game I thought we had a realistic shot to win that game and the Big 10 title.
IMO, this season largely comes down to how DeVito plays. If we get the 2019 version we will be heading to a warm weather bowl. If not, we are probably looking at 4-8 or so.
Big Ten expert picks 2022: Most overrated and underrated teams, projected order of finish, bold predictions
Taking a close, detailed and opinionated look at the Big Ten
www.cbssports.com
CBS's big ten predictions...
One analyst has us 2nd in the west, (I'll have what he's drinking)
Two analysts have us 7th
Three guys apparently think we are so bad they didn't even rank us in the big ten west (purdont is listed multiple times)
Big Ten expert picks 2022: Most overrated and underrated teams, projected order of finish, bold predictions
Taking a close, detailed and opinionated look at the Big Ten
CBS's big ten predictions...
One analyst has us 2nd in the west, (I'll have what he's drinking)
Two analysts have us 7th
Three guys apparently think we are so bad they didn't even rank us in the big ten west (purdont is listed multiple times)
That's high quality editing work, there...give that man a raise.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Much as it pains me I'm a little surprised the Boat Rowers aren't the favorites for the West. They'd be my pick.Big Ten expert picks 2022: Most overrated and underrated teams, projected order of finish, bold predictions
Taking a close, detailed and opinionated look at the Big Ten
CBS's big ten predictions...
One analyst has us 2nd in the west, (I'll have what he's drinking)
Two analysts have us 7th
Three guys apparently think we are so bad they didn't even rank us in the big ten west (purdont is listed multiple times)
He/she must be an Iowa grad
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
Apparently, they fixed the missing Illini, but have PSU as both most overrated and most underrated. Hmmm.Big Ten expert picks 2022: Most overrated and underrated teams, projected order of finish, bold predictions
Taking a close, detailed and opinionated look at the Big Ten
CBS's big ten predictions...
One analyst has us 2nd in the west, (I'll have what he's drinking)
Two analysts have us 7th
Three guys apparently think we are so bad they didn't even rank us in the big ten west (purdont is listed multiple times)
A look at Wyoming: Click this
redwingillini11
White and Sixth
- Batavia
Mandel's Big Ten predictions: It's Ohio State ... and everyone else
Across the aisle, Scott Frost and Nebraska could be facing another ho-hum season.
theathletic.com
Stewart Mandel has us going 6-6 while going 3-0 in nonconference. Presumably our conference wins would be against Indiana (0-9), Nebraska (2-7), and Northwestern (2-7).
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I have a feeling it’s finally the year we beat Iowa … we haven’t had them in Champaign with a semi-decent team and decent weather (aka a good crowd … will likely be our best) in years. Plus, we have played them pretty tough the last three years.Mandel's Big Ten predictions: It's Ohio State ... and everyone else
Across the aisle, Scott Frost and Nebraska could be facing another ho-hum season.
Stewart Mandel has us going 6-6 while going 3-0 in nonconference. Presumably our conference wins would be against Indiana (0-9), Nebraska (2-7), and Northwestern (2-7).
Barrett Sallee is my new best friend.Big Ten expert picks 2022: Most overrated and underrated teams, projected order of finish, bold predictions
Taking a close, detailed and opinionated look at the Big Ten
CBS's big ten predictions...
One analyst has us 2nd in the west, (I'll have what he's drinking)
Two analysts have us 7th
Three guys apparently think we are so bad they didn't even rank us in the big ten west (purdont is listed multiple times)
madillini4
Ozamataz Buckshank
- Millywaukee
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Thinking that I'd sign up for 6-6 right now today, and then tell BB and the boys to just start practicing for the Bowl game.Mandel's Big Ten predictions: It's Ohio State ... and everyone else
Across the aisle, Scott Frost and Nebraska could be facing another ho-hum season.
Stewart Mandel has us going 6-6 while going 3-0 in nonconference. Presumably our conference wins would be against Indiana (0-9), Nebraska (2-7), and Northwestern (2-7).
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
CBS Consensus:Big Ten expert picks 2022: Most overrated and underrated teams, projected order of finish, bold predictions
Taking a close, detailed and opinionated look at the Big Ten
CBS's big ten predictions...
One analyst has us 2nd in the west, (I'll have what he's drinking)
Two analysts have us 7th
Three guys apparently think we are so bad they didn't even rank us in the big ten west (purdont is listed multiple times)
1. WIS
2. IOWA
3. MIN
4. NEB (tie)
4. PUR (tie)
6. ILL
7. NW
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
I stifled (cue: Archie Bunker GIF) an impulse earlier, having read that CBS piece, to post a reply asking what he has been smoking. I want it converted into IV drip form.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I wanted to look at what schools we have winning streaks against in basketball AND football, and as you would expect ... the list is not long. While we have a winning streak against 8 of our 13 conference foes in hoops (including impressive 5-game winning streaks vs. the likes of Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa, as well as a long 8-game winning streak vs. Northwestern), we only have a winning streak against a few football programs:
W2 vs. Michigan State (mostly because we've barely played...)
W2 vs. Nebraska
W1 vs. Minnesota
W1 vs. Northwestern
W1 vs. Penn State
However, I wanted to look at how many "big two" sports contests we have won in a row vs. a certain school, and here are three of the four:
W5 vs. Minnesota (4 hoops games and last year in football, all in a row)
W5 vs. Northwestern (same)
W4 vs. Penn State (3 hoops games and last year in football, all in a row)
The fourth cracks me up and gives me immense joy, though. Since we beat Nebraska in basketball in February of 2020, we have not lost to them in a major sport! We have won four straight in basketball and two straight in football. Given my distaste for Scott Frost and their absolutely delusional fans, there are two wins I want more than any other this fall - breaking the losing streak vs. Iowa and winning AGAIN in Lincoln!!
W2 vs. Michigan State (mostly because we've barely played...)
W2 vs. Nebraska
W1 vs. Minnesota
W1 vs. Northwestern
W1 vs. Penn State
However, I wanted to look at how many "big two" sports contests we have won in a row vs. a certain school, and here are three of the four:
W5 vs. Minnesota (4 hoops games and last year in football, all in a row)
W5 vs. Northwestern (same)
W4 vs. Penn State (3 hoops games and last year in football, all in a row)
The fourth cracks me up and gives me immense joy, though.
Since we beat Nebraska in basketball in February of 2020, we have not lost to them in a major sport! We have won four straight in basketball and two straight in football. Given my distaste for Scott Frost and their absolutely delusional fans, there are two wins I want more than any other this fall - breaking the losing streak vs. Iowa and winning AGAIN in Lincoln!!- Status