Illinois 27, Maryland 24 Postgame

#201      
Happy as can be with the win, but this game shows how very desperate Bret should be in the portal for linemen both sides of the ball who can legitimately play, not just have potential.
 
#202      

Illinivek23

Gurnee
The whispers have been he didn't get the NIL he wanted and he's letting it affect his game negatively. That said, based on what I've seen out of him I'm seeing a couple major issues:

1. He's really struggling with his gap and contain knowledge and how he's supposed to play in the current system. And this would align with the theory that he's upset and hasn't bought in to the defensive system so hasn't put in the effort learning what his role is.

2. He's lacking finishing fundamentals. He has exploded off the line at times this season and torched his man, but in going for the big play he's overplaying his position and getting burned for it by athletic QBs. As well, his tackling technique and closing needs a lot of work. For as many times as he's gotten in the backfield this year the production is just not there.

3. I think at this point it is fair to question his full game effort level. Based on the eye test, he's the one guy who looks like he's taking some plays off, as whenever he isn't exploding off the line of scrimmage, he practically disappears on the field and I'm not really seeing the 2nd effort.

In any case, that's what I've seen but I'm sure insiders know more. Quite frankly, outside of our OL, Jacas has almost certainly been our most disappointing player this year. He has a TON of potential and he's playing well under it. Really sad seeing it as he was expected to be a big part of our team this year.
All this said, was good to see him diving right behind Caleb in celebration after the walk off FG. Maybe he'll snap out of the funk against Wiscy?
 
#204      
I can understand him feeling that way, right or wrong. But playing the way he has isnt going to earn him a dime. I’m sure he knows that and hope he turns it around. Appreciate your input. Always.
Life lesson: Money follows performance, not the reverse. If he focuses on his performance he’ll do well financially. Focus on compensation and he’s likely screwed.
 
#205      

altgeld88

Arlington, Virginia
Did either you or 1970 John notice the Kevin James King of Queens meme they had showing on the scoreboard during the game winning kick by Griffin?
Yes I did. They'd had that meme up once earlier, as well as an equally annoying one whenever we kicked for points.

I'm lol'ing at the fact that Caleb drilling the game-winner toward the meme has caught some cultural traction today. Publicity for the program; humiliation for the laughingstock that Maryland has become with that self-own.
 
#206      
Yes I did. They'd had that meme up once earlier, as well as an equally annoying one whenever we kicked for points.

I'm lol'ing at the fact that Caleb drilling the game-winner toward the meme has caught some cultural traction today. Publicity for the program; humiliation for the laughingstock that Maryland has become with that self-own.
What was that about? No one at the stadium seemed to know.
 
#207      
Maryland Athletics has an official whiskey. Likely hitting the bottle Saturday night.
 

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#208      
I actually watched the game on my phone from a tree stand. Might have been a dozen bucks go by I never saw 😳

As to my much ridiculed optimism it really comes from experience. We’ve seen this script before - 2021, 1999 and other years to know that anything can happen in college football. To me the number one problem versus Purdue and Nebraska was a lack of faith in themselves and what they were doing. Yesterday we saw a confident team fight through their own mistakes and win.

Bert knows what he’s doing. Let’s rip off five wins and storm into Indianapolis. 🤪
Just shoot one on your drive home. They're thick as hair on a cat's back.
 
#209      
The whispers have been he didn't get the NIL he wanted and he's letting it affect his game negatively. That said, based on what I've seen out of him I'm seeing a couple major issues:

1. He's really struggling with his gap and contain knowledge and how he's supposed to play in the current system. And this would align with the theory that he's upset and hasn't bought in to the defensive system so hasn't put in the effort learning what his role is.

2. He's lacking finishing fundamentals. He has exploded off the line at times this season and torched his man, but in going for the big play he's overplaying his position and getting burned for it by athletic QBs. As well, his tackling technique and closing needs a lot of work. For as many times as he's gotten in the backfield this year the production is just not there.

3. I think at this point it is fair to question his full game effort level. Based on the eye test, he's the one guy who looks like he's taking some plays off, as whenever he isn't exploding off the line of scrimmage, he practically disappears on the field and I'm not really seeing the 2nd effort.

In any case, that's what I've seen but I'm sure insiders know more. Quite frankly, outside of our OL, Jacas has almost certainly been our most disappointing player this year. He has a TON of potential and he's playing well under it. Really sad seeing it as he was expected to be a big part of our team this year.
I could believe all 3 are just due to being a true sophomore being leaned on in a pretty big role in the OLB rotation...

If NIL is already getting to him it's a problem. Ball out and ye shall receive seems pretty straight forward.
 
#210      

altgeld88

Arlington, Virginia
What was that about? No one at the stadium seemed to know.
I had no idea either until I consulted the Interwebs this a.m.


I will give Maryland students some props for wit. The big screen showed a kid dressed up as Sam Bankman-Fried several times, dancing. It was the only remotely intelligent entertainment I saw on that screen for 3-1/2 hours.

1697422703845.png
 
#211      
I had no idea either until I consulted the Interwebs this a.m.


I will give Maryland students some props for wit. The big screen showed a kid dressed up as Sam Bankman-Fried several times, dancing. It was the only remotely intelligent entertainment I saw on that screen for 3-1/2 hours.

View attachment 28478
OK, I still don’t get it.
 
#212      
After the penalty that allowed MD to kick off from the 50, I was wondering why they jacked the ball past the end zone for a touchback. With a short field, if you kick it high and short, you give your guys a chance to pin It deep, or recover a live ball. I‘m sure greater football minds will come up with solid reasons to just boot it away, but, given the result, is It something coaches consider?
I wondered about this as well. As soon as the ball went into the end zone I was like “oh well, no harm no foul.”
 
#213      
I had no idea either until I consulted the Interwebs this a.m.


I will give Maryland students some props for wit. The big screen showed a kid dressed up as Sam Bankman-Fried several times, dancing. It was the only remotely intelligent entertainment I saw on that screen for 3-1/2 hours.

View attachment 28478
Illinois needs to keep pumping Nick Offerman. The world needs to know that Ron Swanson is OURS!
 
#215      
To me Jacas appears to be a 3rd and long pass rush specialist. Really seems to struggle at any other role.
 
#220      

altgeld88

Arlington, Virginia
My parents stories.....walking in the snow 5 miles to school one way

My stories to my kids....ate more Ramen in college years than you think a person could

Current college football players....getting a scholarship, nice food and get paid

Props to where times have come (y)
Sorry; what was that? I was preoccupied yelling at a cloud.

I wonder if they were served gruel and moldy bread crusts after the Nebraska loss.

And I knew your parents: they walked uphill to school in knee-deep snow BOTH ways!
 
#221      
Reminded me of the Wisconsin upset. I went into that game sad and upset at another lost season and ... surprise! Same thing happened last weekend.

Not clearing my calendar for a bowl game yet, but we now have hope again!
 
#222      
Reminded me of the Wisconsin upset. I went into that game sad and upset at another lost season and ... surprise! Same thing happened last weekend.

Not clearing my calendar for a bowl game yet, but we now have hope again!
Go ahead and clear your calendar anyway. If a bowl game happens you can just opt out if necessary. It’s the “in” thing these days.
 
#225      
Kudos to the program for putting this together and getting it out there on social media. Really well done, but it's a travesty they didn't use Brian Barnhart's call for the voiceover.

Protip for the youngsters who create SM content: the best announcers in sports are always on AM, and you'll get more hometown energy from the hometown call.