Joel Goodson
- it's all ball bearings, nowadays
Illini Football 2026
And if you don't play a guy who is good enough to play he's also going to go elsewhere, just for less money.
The other problem is if you don't develop your recruits and then bring in transfers because your recruits aren't good enough, then you have to out-bid other programs for those guys.
At least with a guy who is already in your program you have a relationship and hopefully some good will. This might get you a slight discount. Outside transfers are not giving you any discount.
Last edited:
Joel Goodson
- it's all ball bearings, nowadays
that's a bingo!
I don't understand the "hide the talent" narrative.
To those, I ask, what are your options? Forfeit the rest of the season? Play the inferior player in Boyd? Go Wildcat the rest of the season?
Clayton will continue to start, and if Houser comes back, who starts from there on will be dependent on Clayton's performance in the meantime.
To those, I ask, what are your options? Forfeit the rest of the season? Play the inferior player in Boyd? Go Wildcat the rest of the season?
Clayton will continue to start, and if Houser comes back, who starts from there on will be dependent on Clayton's performance in the meantime.
Last edited:
To be clear I’m not advocating for not playing young talent. I am simply saying that the more game tape of young talent that performs well, the higher their market value will be. And in this NIL market with limited loyalty and cash being king, there unfortunately isn’t zero consequence to playing young talent as being suggested, i.e. I don’t view this as a strict duality of only good or only bad. More this is something where you play the players that give you the best chance to win now or in the future and then deal with the consequences. Every team deals with this- but when you also are on a tighter budget than most, it does make competing narratives to feel more like double edged swords. I mean it’s not like we weren’t raided last year for young talent.
I’m not saying I agree with hiding the talent, but when the question was “what do we have to lose” I think there’s a lot more moving pieces now. And I’m certainly not in favor of playing the inferior player. I interpreted the original question as the opposite. Do we play to win now? Or play the underclassmen, deal with the growing pains during a down year, and play to win next year?
Joel Goodson
- it's all ball bearings, nowadays
we play to win. and deal with the consequences later
Love them uniforms
This is the answer. This isn't a pro league with a draft. Losing doesn't give you a better shot at bringing in talent. In fact, the opposite is true.
For one, winning means you're going to get more NIL investment in your roster. Whether that's legit NIL from companies that see value in advertising with your players, or whether that's just the kind of NIL that's a method for boosters to funnel money to players.
Second, while money may be the predominant factor in most recruitments, it's probably rarely the only factor. Players want to play for programs that win, and the more you win, the more of a shot you have to land recruits. I imagine that for a similar role, most recruits are taking the program that's demonstrated an ability to win if the money is equal, and may even take less to play for a winner.
Surround Clayton with a burner receiver like Platt (assuming he comes back in two weeks at close to 100%} along with the elite Dixon and greatly improved Clement, Trimble, and Feagin. Combine that with a running attack featuring Laughery and that big bruiser Barnett, give him some protection, and I could see him continue to grow in skill and confidence each week through the rest of the season. The offense is good enough to get us to 6-6 and a bowl game, if only the defense can step up, make a few third down stops, and rise from abysmal to mediocre. Play defense like they did in the first half against MSU, not the complete train wreck they were in that horrible second half. We have 2 weeks to figure some things out, and put an acceptable product on the field that does not get completely demolished by Oregon.
Joel Goodson
- it's all ball bearings, nowadays
that's a bingo!
I do to as one off like our 100 year anniversary of Memorial Stadium ones
Assuming we beat Maryland. Where are the other 2 wins?
That picture appears to be Butkus on offense, alongside OL Ed Washington (66) and OL Tom Smith (62). To show how the game has changed over 60 years, Washington was listed at 218 and Smith at 195 pounds. Butkus was 237.
Illinois Fighting Illini 1964 Roster | StatMuse
The 1964 Illinois Fighting Illini roster for the CFB regular season and playoffs
I don't believe the injury to Hauser really changes projected wins and losses for the illini for the last 6 games.
With our poor defense we would probably only have a chance to beat Maryland with Hauser. Without him, our only chance of a win is Maryland. It really all comes back to the substandard defense.
With our poor defense we would probably only have a chance to beat Maryland with Hauser. Without him, our only chance of a win is Maryland. It really all comes back to the substandard defense.
Nebraska has a history of sh**ing the bed. UCLA's starting QB is out for the season. NW is a rivalry game and if we have 5 wins going in we will have a lot to play for. If I were a betting man I'd put the over under on our wins at 3.5, but getting to 6 is not out of the question
We are also starting a true freshman and have one of the worst defenses in the country. I know Nico is out I just can’t see us stopping anyone. Chip will drop 50 on us
BB needs to get a DC and get him early. The carousel will start spinning next month so he needs to be doing the due diligence. Get a DC early so that guy can get a staff early well before the portal gets picked over. Hopefully the DC and his guys can bring a few good players with them.
SKane
- Tennessee
CBS analysis. Writer should have just read this Board.
www.cbssports.com
Oregon, Texas A&M among six college football teams confronting major regression in 2026
The Ducks and Aggies are shining examples of how success one year doesn't automatically guarantee it the next
www.cbssports.com
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Anyone know why we wore white pants during the 2008 game when we sported these (or a similar set of) throwbacks?
I'm guessing these might have been from a few years before or after that older photo or that we had both pants and switched it up?
Assuming B.B. and Co. are using a few days to do some recruiting and retention on commits. How is it possible to get D.L. and other defensive players when our Staff is some what interim? Also keeping players who committed or currently on team from leaving due to Coaches they came in for. Definitely not going to be easy sale , especially if the NIL $ isn't upped?
Needing to pay Clayton a lot of retention money as a result of strong performance would be a very good problem to have.
Goal should be to get a DC in the early coaching carousel window in my opinion. That would offer the necessary stability and direction. And if it’s a home run hire, maybe Bret can even squeeze some NIL out of it from the donors. I’ve said it before but I really don’t think we want to be in a position where we miss our chance on a DC in the early window after a midseason firing, as the longer that position goes unfilled, the less appealing it looks and it starts picking up a stench.
Target your guy early, get him in the building, offer him the support he asks for, and close quickly.
BZuppke
- Plainfield
Eastern Illinois I thinkAnyone know why we wore white pants during the 2008 game when we sported these (or a similar set of) throwbacks?
I'm guessing these might have been from a few years before or after that older photo or that we had both pants and switched it up?