Illinois at Michigan State, Saturday, October 10th, 2:30pm CT, FS1

#51      
Ander1345
Even during the 2023 season there was some underlying optimism(especially re: Luke Altmyer after the Penn State game) and a bunch of really close losses.

It's... not feeling like that.
 
#52      
SKane
A team is in trouble when it has two most important games of the season before the season is half over.
 
#53      
Illini2010-11
Ander1345 said:
Even during the 2023 season there was some underlying optimism(especially re: Luke Altmyer after the Penn State game) and a bunch of really close losses.

It's... not feeling like that.
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Maybe for me, part of the real difference is that we knew that 2023 season would be a struggle with roster turnover. Still, you could see something that could come together in future seasons.

The issue now is that our team was supposed to compete for a CFP berth last year, and ultimately underachieved that goal with a lot of returning talent (yes, still a successful season in general). Now we were expected to take a step back this season, but I am seeing way more issues than simply NIL holding this team back. A lot can be associated to lack of talent (and NIL), but there have been so many mental errors and coaching issues through the first 5 games (requiring a DC change mid-season), that it seems to be something more. I think it is fair for our message board to complain about lack of resources, but I do not want to hear that excuse coming out of the coaching staff (at least out in the public). They knew what they had coming into the season, and it is clear that they are not getting the players in position to succeed with what they have. Good news is that there is still more than half of the season to go...bad news is that there are not many games where we will be favored to win the rest of the year.

If the Duke loss was not a wake up call, then the Purdue loss better be. Otherwise, this season can slip away.

I personally expect a much cleaner product on Saturday, but I am not too optimistic for the second half of the season unless something positive happens and fast.
 
#54      
Vinegarben
blackdog said:
Purdue was 1-3 but the teams that beat them have lost a total of 1 game all season between them. MSU is a dumpster fire. Doesn't mean we will win but it's much more of a toilet bowl.
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And that's exactly where this Illini team belongs "TOILET BOWL"
 
#55      
Vinegarben
Kaden Feagin has been a big bust. 250 # and a breeze of 5 mph and he will fall down. MSU has several injured players but beat the Illini 24-21. Illini are in a free fall-no defense, no offensive line, no coaching, no special teams
 
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