Illinois 42, UAB 23 Postgame
Robert's from the stands kinda ticked me off. He was basically saying anyone feeling remotely negative about this game was a bad fan. Like because we likely won't go 1-11 we have no room to complain or feel concerned about things we saw in the field.
Did you see the missed tackles? How we didn't force them into a single 3 and out? How if not for some friendly whistles this could have been much closer?
I'm not saying the sky is falling. I predicted 8-4 and we still could get there! Hell, we could exceed that for all I know! But just because we won against a bad team doesn't mean we can't have reasons to be worried about how we'll fair against much tougher competent l competition.
I usually really like Robert. But occasionally he gets this "no one has suffered as a fan more than I have, so if I'm happy you should be too." vibe.
Don't tell anyone how to fan, much less people who have been following illinois for 20 or 30 plus years.
I'm ecstatic were where we are vs 10 or even 5 years ago. But that doesn't mean we can't question anything.
Did you see the missed tackles? How we didn't force them into a single 3 and out? How if not for some friendly whistles this could have been much closer?
I'm not saying the sky is falling. I predicted 8-4 and we still could get there! Hell, we could exceed that for all I know! But just because we won against a bad team doesn't mean we can't have reasons to be worried about how we'll fair against much tougher competent l competition.
I usually really like Robert. But occasionally he gets this "no one has suffered as a fan more than I have, so if I'm happy you should be too." vibe.
Don't tell anyone how to fan, much less people who have been following illinois for 20 or 30 plus years.
I'm ecstatic were where we are vs 10 or even 5 years ago. But that doesn't mean we can't question anything.
Just watched the replay with special attention on defense and wow did Beerman have a tough game with Kreutz and Paris almost as bad. The LB play needs to improve drastically if we want to qualify for a bowl. They are so slow to read/react, and then the tackling is reaching with the arms.
I could see this defense playing well with LBs with Baileys attitude but the guts we have play scared of contact.
I could see this defense playing well with LBs with Baileys attitude but the guts we have play scared of contact.
chiefini
- Rockford, Illinois
Totally agree @Stevegarbs At one point, after the Hail Mary TD, I was jumping up and down and I got so dizzy, I almost fainted.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
There are FCS teams better than the level UAB has been at, but those two are very much not among them. Both finished near the bottom of the weak OVC.
2023 was a bad team, Bielema's only one here. 2021 was hobbled by bad QB play and a weak OC, but the overall quality of the team had improved massively.
The Bielema era is the classic 5-year rebuild, just with the seasons all jumbled up.
Per F/+ ratings, his teams were
1. 2022
2. 2025
3. 2024
4. 2021
5. 2023
The offense has improved every season. Our points per drive rank by year:
2021: 110th
2022: 84th
2023: 79th
2024: 34th
2025: 19th
Our 2022 Defense was 2nd; and the greed in me wants to think if you pair our 2022 defense with our 2025 offense, we might be a top 5 team.
OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
Oh God, please don't bring that up. Out of all of the stupid things Tim Beckman ever said, I think that was the worst.
Put Keith Randolph and Johnny Newton on this defense, and we're a playoff contender (barring a rash of injuries).
We have what it takes as a PROGRAM. But the resources to be at the top, just aren't gonna be there.
Lol I love our Chicken Little fanbase on here. Last week, #14 USC scored the exact same amount of points as we did last night(42) and gave up 3 MORE points(26) to a San Jose State team that is WORSE than UAB. You know what they're doing right now? Absolutely destroying Fresno State - a team that won the same amount of games as we did last year(9) - at halftime, 30-0.
We'll be fine, y'all. Go Illini!!
We'll be fine, y'all. Go Illini!!
True. We can’t afford a good law firm anymore.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
About $10 million shy of being a playoff contender.
Katin is going to be entertainment at it's best. He looks like he can pick defenses apart at will with his quick decision making and release.
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
Hankins at safety?
2X2L
- Metaluna
Yes, we shall see, hope so.
In a previous post I opined that Katin had a stronger arm than Luke. Maybe. But I meant no disrespect to Luke - one of my favorite all-time Illinois qbs. Go Luke!
In my head, the difference between 7-5 and 8-4 is way more than a single win. 7-5 (in our new BB era) does sound kinda meh, but 8-4 still sounds (to me) like a great season. With as much turnover as we had, 7-5 sounds right to me, and 8-4 sounds pretty kool-aidey (tm)
Defense could be entertaining too if we learn to tackle.
I also remember the announcers saying a few UAB players followed by “transfer from Georgia”…now UGA is known for their recruiting and evaluation of talent. This UAB team would blow the brakes off of an EIU/WIU. Their QB is mobile and had some really impressive throws under pressure. This year’s UAB is not last years UAB…
Thank you for summarizing what Illini football challenges are. It’s really just $$$$.
Agree, parking was very frustrating honestly. Kylan Boswell had to park by research park!!
Yep ... UAB is better than most think
That patience…ELITE!!!
Illini4Chief
- TENNESSEE
Illinois gave up 413 total yards to Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) during their season-opening game on September 3, 2026.
UAB actually outgained Illinois 413 to 332 in total yardage. This is troubling....
UAB actually outgained Illinois 413 to 332 in total yardage. This is troubling....