And Spoon DEFINITELY did not become that guy because of Aaron Henry. Look at the drop off of Bailey this year. It’s maddening. Miles Scott is playing much worse too.
Illinois 43, Purdue 27 Postgame
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For folks like this who are taking my post as Henry being fired... not at all.
He can still lose the headset and probably should. Jameson earning a chance at calling the defense is beyond warranted.
Holding that radio and calling the D is a privilege and to say Henry has earned it this year is lying to yourself.
He can still lose the headset and probably should. Jameson earning a chance at calling the defense is beyond warranted.
Holding that radio and calling the D is a privilege and to say Henry has earned it this year is lying to yourself.
No where in that post did I allude to Henry being fired. He can still coach that safeties and there is absolutely someone else on this staff that can call the defense
We're 5-1, but really haven't put together a complete game of 4 quarters imo. Maybe had Valentine not fumbled USC would've qualified - punch it in, go up two scores, maybe SC scores a late TD, but overall comfortable win.
The defense is just not going to win you games this year, but rather its on the offense to protect them by scoring and possessing the ball.
I do wonder Bailey played very sparsely - if at all - in half 2. Was it injury or just benched?
The defense is just not going to win you games this year, but rather its on the offense to protect them by scoring and possessing the ball.
I do wonder Bailey played very sparsely - if at all - in half 2. Was it injury or just benched?
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I have almost nothing good to say about Purdue but I will say this; their souvenir cups look like something you'd get at Busch Gardens in 1994 and I really appreciate that.
It’s like they do not understand that he is getting double teamed, or in some cases triple teamed, on most plays.
I would guess players were held out or limited sat to try to get them at 100% for Ohio state. After that we have a bye so hopefully we finish out strong
I mean he has 4.5 sacks in 6 games which is still good. Not to mention teams have game planned around him and us running a soft zone makes it easy for teams to get rid of the ball fast.
Penn State went out and got a proven defensive coordinator with a national championship and 3 million a year contract and how is that working out for the Nittany Lions. Penn St. couldn't make key stops against Oregon and an 0-4 UCLA team scored over 40 points. You have to have good players. Period. Illinois has always had a hard time in stopping good offenses for the last couple of years. Ohio St and Washington will definitely score some points against Illinois but Indiana, OSU and Washington have good offenses. This Illinois team is a team with 8-9 win regular season at best. I'm cool with that situation.The transfers haven't been impressive and have made minimal impact. Going forward they will have to spend more NIL on impact transfers. Miami spent boat loads of money and now they are a TOP 3 team in the country.
agree
Not to mention we would need an opening on the defensive side. I could see BB brining in someone as an analyst who has a lot of dc experience
Illini in Italy
- Illini HQ, Florida Panhandle
Actually, the best possible outcome would be 11-1. The more likely scenario is the 8-9 wins you point out. I happen to agree with you, 9-3 is the most likely outcome, and that would be a GREAT freakin’ season for all of us in Illini-la-la-land!
If this team slides to something like 7-5 or even 8-4 while giving up an average of 35+ a game after a preseason #11 ranking and very favorable schedule then Henry absolutely needs to go. He is neither bringing in the talent or developing it.
It’s like you guys don’t see what we are on the cusp of. This is our chance to truly move up with the big boys of college football and Henry ain’t gonna cut it going forward. 2 or 3 less drops from those wide open PU receivers and suddenly it’s a 43-40 barnburner.
It’s like you guys don’t see what we are on the cusp of. This is our chance to truly move up with the big boys of college football and Henry ain’t gonna cut it going forward. 2 or 3 less drops from those wide open PU receivers and suddenly it’s a 43-40 barnburner.
Illinois HC Bret Bielema optimistic after sluggish start against Purdue
Bret Bielema was looking on the bright side of things after the Illinois Fighting Illini started off slowly against the Purdue Boilermakers.
writingillini.com
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
In 2022, us and Purdue both won 8 games and they famously beat us to go to the big ten championship game. At that time, we were two fairly evenly matched programs.
Then they lost their coach and stole one of ours.
Since that moment, they have not won a single big ten road game. Their last big ten road win was in 2022. They also haven’t beaten a single P4 team since 2023 (a season and a half without a single P4 win).
Meanwhile, we’ve won 6 big ten road games since 2022 and we’ve beaten 11 P4 teams since 2023 (5 of those wins against ranked opponents!).
It’s certainly hasn’t been perfect, but man, has it been fun, and I believe with Bret as our coach, the good times are just getting started.
Then they lost their coach and stole one of ours.
Since that moment, they have not won a single big ten road game. Their last big ten road win was in 2022. They also haven’t beaten a single P4 team since 2023 (a season and a half without a single P4 win).
Meanwhile, we’ve won 6 big ten road games since 2022 and we’ve beaten 11 P4 teams since 2023 (5 of those wins against ranked opponents!).
It’s certainly hasn’t been perfect, but man, has it been fun, and I believe with Bret as our coach, the good times are just getting started.
In 1999…Fabio Lanzoni got his own Busch Garden souvenir; something that he…nor the internet would forget. (poor guy…looks painful.)
pruman91
- interviewing new NL's daily....I really really am
hey Doc , good to see you posting again.......if you have been posting regularly then blame my post on age advancement and personal habits can can confuse the best Illini fanatic.............It’s like they do not understand that he is getting double teamed, or in some cases triple teamed, on most plays.
pruman91
- interviewing new NL's daily....I really really am
Hey Pru, you are correct, I don’t post as much as I used to post. I particularly stay away from the game threads. Too much negativity!
He's 5th in the big ten in pressures and 3rd in sacks.
blackdog
- Champaign
He's on pace right now to have as many or more sacks as last year despite facing two or three blockers almost every play. Jacas has 1/3 of the total sacks for the team. He's not the problem.
pruman91
- interviewing new NL's daily....I really really am
You are a very smart person.....you really really are...............
That year will go down as an all time what if. Can't believe we blew 2 home games against Sparty and Purdue. I think we would have gave Michigan a game in the big ten title game too since we had them beat a few weeks earlier.
If Valentine continues to get 20+ carries, he'll have 90-100 yards every game.
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