I'm' guessing that's his attempts per completion ratio.
Illini Football 2026
- Status
Going to need Platt back for the Duke game.
Joel Goodson
- it's all ball bearings, nowadays
I think athletic types were always the goal, but getting those kids was tough because we were a doormat's doormat. as we've progressed out of the abyss, convincing athletic kids is no longer a pipe dream
Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
Wow, are our pre-forward pass championships a joke to you??
Eye on Illini: 10 open practice observations
Illinois held its first open training camp practice Saturday at Gies Memorial Stadium
Curbelo Fanboy
BERTBALL IS LIFE
If Bret can maintain what he has built here, he could have some cracks at it over the next 10ish years. It'd have to be a lightning in a bottle kind of scenario where we capitalize on a great QB & then find the NIL resources to push a good team over the top. I have no doubt Bret has the coaching chops to keep us at a level where it is at least plausible that we could attain that level. Especially with the expanded playoff model a 2 loss season most likely gets you in a playoff. And then it's about matchups, injuries & a little bit of the right luck at the right time.
More reason to not throw millions to an incoming freshman QB. You just never know what will happen, and it is easier to throw those same millions at a proven product (Houser, in this case). I think Michigan may end up wasting that money on Lopati, and while they may be able to afford it now, those same donors are going to be sick of seeing their money go to people who do nothing at their school and go on to great success.
I agree 100% They are going to hit the portal. Will be a very attractive destination for another 1-year rental.
I think there’s little issue with using the transfer market as the main catalyst to recruit quarterbacks.
1) it’s such an important position to not only be talented, but to be ready and have the experience.
2) we’re not going to get the 5 stars in the HS ranks.
3) the QBs we will get from the HS market are not going to be ready right away. It’ll be a development process, and it’s always going to be a boom or bust scenario to hand the starting spot to a guy with no prior experience.
Feasting on very good 1-year-rentals like Houser, will never be a bad investment for our program.
Or maybe you get someone like a Luke Altmyer, and have him for 2-3 years.
I think the other thing to remember is that the top teams grabbing the top 20 QBs each year from the high school ranks means that a lot of great talent is on the bench looking for an opportunity to play. A little bit like Luke, but with the way things are going we might see ourselves in a position to grab someone with a higher ceiling.
I will always like and comment on Steiner Math.That’s some good old “Steiner Math” right there!!
Some say Samoan Joe is still trying to grasp the basic fundamentals and building blocks of Steiner Math.
Joel Goodson
- it's all ball bearings, nowadays
Random thoughts and guesses -
I'm not sold on Matelau and Martin. Hope it doesn't play out but B1G D-Lines are a very tough deal for an OL. Next year, yes. This year
I think special teams will be just fine, not a top B1G group but very solid. I'm more optimistic than most.
Hauser should be excellent. Illinois did well with Altmyer and his shortcomings. Altmyer's interception this past weekend was because he threw late...again. Still doing it and yet at Illinois he was fantastic. Hauser solves some OL issues himself getting rid of the ball quick, which will really help with the above OL concern.
Hauser - going to be treated at practice like grandma's fine china. Do not touch. Lose him and it's a problem. Zero experience at back up. Keep him healthy, get him out once Illinois has a game wrapped up, forget style points unless some crazy scenario occurs where Illinois is in the playoff race (not likely, IMO).
Speaking of Hauser, has he bought a "Barry Hauser is my Dad" shirt yet? He should and Illinois and the Band should play that up. Maybe be a guest conductor wearing that T-shirt. The band kids work extremely hard and I suspect would really enjoy some QB love. Tie them even more into the program.
I'm concerned, like many, that cumulatively the front 6 on D is a very very marginal B1G group. Individually they are fine but collectively.....The top guys are not there. I'm wondering if Hauck & Co. are wondering what they got themselves into? Worst Case, at least year 2 they'll have a better opportunity in the portal. I'm sure Bret and Josh will throw more money at it. Best case, this group exceeds expectations and keeps it close enough for the Illinois O to win most games.
Not having to get Feagin touches at RB improves that whole group. Getting Feagin touches at TE (or wherever he lines up) improves that whole group. That's a big positive for this offense.
I'm not sure what to make of the WR group yet. Stepp is good, is there enough B1G depth talent there? We will find out but it does make it more important for Illinois to be better at running the ball.
I'm not sold on Matelau and Martin. Hope it doesn't play out but B1G D-Lines are a very tough deal for an OL. Next year, yes. This year
I think special teams will be just fine, not a top B1G group but very solid. I'm more optimistic than most.
Hauser should be excellent. Illinois did well with Altmyer and his shortcomings. Altmyer's interception this past weekend was because he threw late...again. Still doing it and yet at Illinois he was fantastic. Hauser solves some OL issues himself getting rid of the ball quick, which will really help with the above OL concern.
Hauser - going to be treated at practice like grandma's fine china. Do not touch. Lose him and it's a problem. Zero experience at back up. Keep him healthy, get him out once Illinois has a game wrapped up, forget style points unless some crazy scenario occurs where Illinois is in the playoff race (not likely, IMO).
Speaking of Hauser, has he bought a "Barry Hauser is my Dad" shirt yet? He should and Illinois and the Band should play that up. Maybe be a guest conductor wearing that T-shirt. The band kids work extremely hard and I suspect would really enjoy some QB love. Tie them even more into the program.
I'm concerned, like many, that cumulatively the front 6 on D is a very very marginal B1G group. Individually they are fine but collectively.....The top guys are not there. I'm wondering if Hauck & Co. are wondering what they got themselves into? Worst Case, at least year 2 they'll have a better opportunity in the portal. I'm sure Bret and Josh will throw more money at it. Best case, this group exceeds expectations and keeps it close enough for the Illinois O to win most games.
Not having to get Feagin touches at RB improves that whole group. Getting Feagin touches at TE (or wherever he lines up) improves that whole group. That's a big positive for this offense.
I'm not sure what to make of the WR group yet. Stepp is good, is there enough B1G depth talent there? We will find out but it does make it more important for Illinois to be better at running the ball.
- Status