There are few defenses as good as PSU.
Illini Football 2023
- Status
I'm having a hard time reconciling the two thoughts put forth here: "The B10 is gonna be an absolute meat grinder starting next year" and "We NEED to go 6-6 this year", as if the latter's mediocrity here in the 11th hour appreciably improves our future chances against the former.
And IMO the fixation on "We're Illinois, that's just the way it is" as being an "unacceptable" worldview would be a fixation worth having if the football apparatus actually felt that way, which they clearly don't, or if such a sentiment from fans had any bearing on the football apparatus's performance. (You might argue that such a sentiment from fans manifests in attendance figures, but IMO "We play losing football, I don't want to go" is distinct from having a realistic understanding of our recent history and having tempered expectations for a program like ours to vault to top-tier status.)
I'm enjoying this season, and in particular Robert's breakdowns of what's really going on.
Beat Purdue!
And IMO the fixation on "We're Illinois, that's just the way it is" as being an "unacceptable" worldview would be a fixation worth having if the football apparatus actually felt that way, which they clearly don't, or if such a sentiment from fans had any bearing on the football apparatus's performance. (You might argue that such a sentiment from fans manifests in attendance figures, but IMO "We play losing football, I don't want to go" is distinct from having a realistic understanding of our recent history and having tempered expectations for a program like ours to vault to top-tier status.)
I'm enjoying this season, and in particular Robert's breakdowns of what's really going on.
Beat Purdue!
College Football TV Ratings
College football TV ratings for the 2023 regular season, bowls, College Football Playoff and National Championship.
www.sportsmediawatch.com
Interesting that CU beat out ND vsOSU
He’s a game manager at best
I know that I am in the minority but I do believe that we can win all of our remaining games with the exception of Maryland. Tag may be the best q.b. we see all year. I had us winning 7-8 and nothing has changed my opinion. Our q.b. is young and is going to make some more mistakes but he will be fine. Although his judgement is questionable at times, he has a gun for an arm and will get better and better. Our defense is getting better and our younger players are getting valuable tick. That will payoff toward the end of the year.
Because Penn State has the Number 3 SP+ Defense in the country.
Toledo is 63, Kansas is 84 and FAU is 88.
Iowa (2), Wisconsin (18), Maryland (19), Minnesota (22) and Nebraska (28) should all be pretty difficult tests ahead.
I'm not one who immediately takes any success our team has and makes it the new floor for future seasons. My expectation is a bowl game every year with some 8-10 win seasons when everything falls right. It's been a frustrating start to our season, but our two losses aren't looking too bad in retrospect.
My frustration is these dead periods like we had in basketball last year. I don't expect that under Bret, but to be where we are in year three after 20 years of nothing is a good sign. Not sold on Lunney yet or on Henry, but I think Bret will make the changes if necessary.
My frustration is these dead periods like we had in basketball last year. I don't expect that under Bret, but to be where we are in year three after 20 years of nothing is a good sign. Not sold on Lunney yet or on Henry, but I think Bret will make the changes if necessary.
And Cade gives Brian Ferenz credit for Iowa’s flaccid offense. Seems to say “I just work here”.
Cade McNamara defers lack of WR involvement queries to OC Brian Ferentz
Asked how to get the Hawkeye receivers more involved, Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara deferred to the offensive play-calling.
hawkeyeswire.usatoday.com
“I mean, I’m just a quarterback. I’m not calling the plays or doing any of that. That’s not my decision. I’m just going to run the play, and I’m going to throw it to the open guy,” McNamara said, deferring any explanation to his embattled offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz.
blackdog
- Champaign
And Cade gives Brian Ferenz credit for Iowa’s flaccid offense. Seems to say “I just work here”.
Cade McNamara defers lack of WR involvement queries to OC Brian Ferentz
Asked how to get the Hawkeye receivers more involved, Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara deferred to the offensive play-calling.
“I mean, I’m just a quarterback. I’m not calling the plays or doing any of that. That’s not my decision. I’m just going to run the play, and I’m going to throw it to the open guy,” McNamara said, deferring any explanation to his embattled offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz.
I wouldn't say that. At Michigan, Cade was aggressive but he'd wait far too long for the route he'd key in on to develop allowing the pressure enough time to get to him.
So really, him and Brian Ferentz are a match made in heaven, as all of Brian's playcalls take forever and a half to develop with the QB expected to just awkwardly stand in the pocket with no other options. Just a perfect fit.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
217sports
- Springfield
Not entirely sure where to put this but quite the upgrade for Nebraska
Regents Will Consider Memorial Stadium Renovation Plans
The Official Athletic Site of the University of Nebraska, partner of WMT Digital. The most comprehensive coverage of the University of Nebraska on the web with rosters, schedules, scores, highlights, game recaps and more!
huskers.com
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Just another reminder that the programs we HAVE to compete with are pouring serious resources into football. We need to keep improving, keep growing the fan base and keep re-engaging our very well-endowed alumni base to the point where we have the donor power to do stuff like this.
Sitting in Memorial Stadium for the PSU game the other week and walking around the tailgating areas before the game, it once again struck me how beautiful and unique of a stadium we have ... it just needs a little care and attention! To have had only one renovation in several decades and that touch-up having been almost 20 years ago now, we need to give that beautiful architectural landmark the care she deserves! I get the money is not there at the moment, but MAN is there potential there, and we need to get to a spot where we can realize it.
A little trip to Indy this year would do wonders for that!
redwingillini11
White and Sixth
- North Aurora
I can say that the DIA understands that investing in the football program must be a priority moving forward. They presented the Fan Council recently their 8 (or so) general priorities as an athletic department, and dedicating resources to football was included as its own major priority. The know that we have to invest in football so that we do not get left behind when the rest of the Power 2 splits off. If we are in the top tier of football, the remaining athletic programs will benefit. It was a big relief to hear they understand this and are focused on it.
Once the money is there, they will invest it in this football program.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Well to anyone who gets even the smallest bit of input, once the money is there ... please tell the DIA to stick with this beautiful plan!!
For those worried we would not be able to fill that many seats, (as I have often suggested), we simply need to wall off the East Main seats underneath the overhang so it matches West Main. That affords us an extra 5k to 7k seats to work with (IIRC). Also, newer sections spread out seating a LOT more than an area like the Horseshe. For reference, look at these two areas:
Horseshoe at Memorial Stadium: 9,800 seats
North End Zone at Kinnick Stadium: 10,200 seats
It is understandable since the Horseshoe was built a long time ago, but we pack a maximum number of seats into the smallest possible/least architecturally imposing space ... pretty much the opposite of what you want in a stadium, haha.
blackdog
- Champaign
Well to anyone who gets even the smallest bit of input, once the money is there ... please tell the DIA to stick with this beautiful plan!!
View attachment 28237
For those worried we would not be able to fill that many seats, (as I have often suggested), we simply need to wall off the East Main seats underneath the overhang so it matches West Main. That affords us an extra 5k to 7k seats to work with (IIRC). Also, newer sections spread out seating a LOT more than an area like the Horseshe. For reference, look at these two areas:
Horseshoe at Memorial Stadium: 9,800 seats
North End Zone at Kinnick Stadium: 10,200 seats
It is understandable since the Horseshoe was built a long time ago, but we pack a maximum number of seats into the smallest possible/least architecturally imposing space ... pretty much the opposite of what you want in a stadium, haha.
Its not just the horseshoe where they cram as many seats in as possible. Games where the stands are full you about have to sit sideways to be able to fit on the bleachers...
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Can confirm. I brought my pregnant wife to the game, so I "only" had 3 beers before going into the stadium and then 2 (larger) beers in the stadium. Then a PSU fan accidentally kicked over my second beer and was nice enough to flag down the beer guy and buy me another one. Problem for my wife, though, is that literally barely any spilled out, so before I knew it I had a nice little buzz goin' on as we headed to more bars.
So my wife agrees - more leg room!
blackdog
- Champaign
Can confirm. I brought my pregnant wife to the game, so I "only" had 3 beers before going into the stadium and then 2 (larger) beers in the stadium. Then a PSU fan accidentally kicked over my second beer and was nice enough to flag down the beer guy and buy me another one. Problem for my wife, though, is that literally barely any spilled out, so before I knew it I had a nice little buzz goin' on as we headed to more bars.
So my wife agrees - more leg room!
Live action replay
Yeah, I went back in 2021for the Homecoming game Vs Wisconsin, my first trip back to campus since 1985. I didn't recall how small (and uncomfortable) the bleacher seating was (we had West side seats at about the 30 yard line). They were almost unusable for a pair of sexagenarians. As a frequenter of both Red Sox and Patriots games, I know what good seating should look and feel like. Our first priority should be ripping out those aluminum benches and putting chair-based seats in. As much as I love the O&B, I won't come back until they do (not to mention it's more than 1,000 miles away, making it more likely for me to watch the games from the best seat available - my chair).
Can confirm. I brought my pregnant wife to the game, so I "only" had 3 beers before going into the stadium and then 2 (larger) beers in the stadium. Then a PSU fan accidentally kicked over my second beer and was nice enough to flag down the beer guy and buy me another one. Problem for my wife, though, is that literally barely any spilled out, so before I knew it I had a nice little buzz goin' on as we headed to more bars.
So my wife agrees - more leg room!
It's hard not to envision the BIG being a very rough conference next year, with a lot of hype, with multiple teams making the CFP in the new 12 team format. The teams that were added are solid, surging, and under good coaches. I don't think you can overstate how strong the conference will be next year. If those teams were in today, the BIG would have SIX top 10 teams!
I'm impressed with BB though. I think even in a killer conference he'll find a way to put a respectable team on the field. Not sure what more you can ask or what the ceiling will be.
I agree, seems clear the B10 will be brutal. For that reason I don't think it much matters whether we go 5-7 or make a bowl this year.
Of course bowling is better, I just don't believe Pinstripe in December bears on our fortunes very much (which is what some people seemed to be saying).
Mr. Tibbs
- southeast DuPage
minor bowl games are certainly not very exciting for fans .
BUT
it gives the coaches 10 more official practices that many use for the benefit of the roster of the next years team
it gives the current players a much appreciated trip / experience to another city/area
it gives coaches opportunity to brag to new recruits .
and some things I’m forgetting
BUT
it gives the coaches 10 more official practices that many use for the benefit of the roster of the next years team
it gives the current players a much appreciated trip / experience to another city/area
it gives coaches opportunity to brag to new recruits .
and some things I’m forgetting
illini80
- Forgottonia
As a fan who is unlikely to travel to a bowl, it’s hard to get too excited about a game where your best players won’t be playing. But I certainly understand how important it is for the program and would certainly watch.
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