Although he missed some games last year, Kansas has a pretty good Q.B. coming back.
Look, we will be a top 25 team and they will be lucky to crack the top 50. They nearly gave up 500 yards a game!!!! I believe our offense will be vastly better and our D will be similar to last year as our front 7 will be beasts. KU will not beat us. We will be 2-0 going into the home game against PSU which I believe we will win.
Yeah I'm with you. If overly pessimistic, so be it, but the talent that moved on to the NFL was immense. We could have the best coaching in world (and do we, with Walters gone - but love Henry) and still have a major drop-off.“Some”?
Why do you believe the offense will be significantly better (serious question - not picking an argument/fight).
Our receivers wil be better and deeper. The three headed monster of Another year under Lunney. I think we will be better at QB and are deeper at QB. Our line is better. Plus I believe the clock rule will help us. Granted we do not have Brown at RB but we are more versatile. I can see us throwing more to the backs and see more play action. We averaged 23 a game last year and I can see us getting closer to 30. I do not think you were picking a fight. Your point is well taken.
Two years of 7+ wins (i.e., being easily bowl eligible going into the NU game) is essential for changing the narrative on our program!
Like I have said, I think we can get to 30 with the schedule we have. Another year of Lunney running the show, our players are more adjusted to what needs to be done. Altmyer will have more weapons to throw to and he seems like he looked very good at the scrimmage. Our running game will be different but will have more options. A lot more play action. The line is bigger and more experienced. I think we will control the ball longer. Finally, our D will create opportunities so the offense will get back on the field. Toledo, KU anf FAU have subpar D‘S. I see us winning no less than 9 games and a solid bowl.
I get what you are saying and your point is valid. But we will be in year 2 of Lunney and a more experienced OL. I would think that our line will create more opportunities for our backs to succeed. One other thing, teams schemed to shut down Brown. They ran 8 in the box. I doubt teams will do that against us this year as our receivers are more experienced. We will spread defenses out which will create more running lanes. One more thing, We will win all three non conference games. Purdue is overhauling, NW is bad. Iowa lost a lot off their D and will not be as good as last year. Nebraska is not very good, IU is not very good. Maryland is not as good as they lost a lot from a very average team. Can we beat Minny, Wisc or PSU? We should win at least 1. So getting to 9 wins without having to play Mich, OSU or MSU may not be hard to get to. We could win the West. Last year we were learning how to win. This year we take another step in that direction.
I hear ya. I agree there will be a dropoff in the secondary. I just don't think we go from great to pathetic. I think we go from great to pretty good.“Some”?
Speaking only for myself , my expectations for this season are 7-5 with another Bowl game.......I sure hope BB and staff can transition this season's performance into better recruiting , especially with 4 Illini drafted and numerous others getting free agent contracts and invites to training camps........
I try to keep my expectations grounded. I think realistically we get 6 wins ±6 wins.
Right now we are undefeated. And that is real.
Out of all the Illini's football seasons... this will definitely be one of them.
realistically, we lost 4/5 of our strongest unit last season (DBs), 2 OL in NFL camps, our best QB we've had in a decade, the national leader in P5 Rush yards, and some other starters....7-5 should be a pretty realistic goal with this schedule
i think we are going to see and slightly different defense. not all the time, but less man to man coverages, more run/pass
