Illinois at Michigan State, Saturday, October 10th, 2:30pm CT, FS1
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
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.
And that's exactly where this Illini team belongs "TOILET BOWL"
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
He should have been last week.
If you read between the lines( coach speak ) Javari might have been slipping as a tough,smart and dependable player.
illini80
- Forgottonia
Yes, there was a comment to the effect of if he takes care of business he should see more time.
I wonder when we will see more of our super freshman class on the field. If Barnett is going to get some time this weekend, when will we see Eberhart, Rankin, and the others?
All offseason I was complaining that we didn't take an RB in the transfer portal with so many guys available. I just don't buy that we couldn't have outbid Boston College for Evan Dickens.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
OK; I'll be pedantic here: I'd really rather have heard Barry say "that was really one of the poorest performance I've been a part of.." rather than "one of the poor performances..." The latter implies that he's been part of a lot of poor offensive performances during his tenure.
Freudian slip? Or brutal self-awareness?
Freudian slip? Or brutal self-awareness?
Good catch, and I'm going with Freudian slip. His subconscious was saying "that was one of the many very poor performances I have inflicted upon fans."
I do like Barry though. He's probably the optimum OC we could have; pretty darn good, but not quite good enough to get poached.
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
Katin Hauser revenge game…putting the mortgage on the Beloved for this one. Platt back and scores the first TD.
Illini win 34-10
Illini win 34-10
It can’t be overlooked that this is a return game for Hauser. Given how shaky he was last week, I wonder how he will hold up under that pressure.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
I've admittedly grown pessimistic and a bit indifferent. I guess it's sorta like the pre-Bielema years --- turning the page to Illini basketball in mid-October. Sure, we may win this game but I don't see any chance of making a bowl game this year.
20 - ILL
24 - MSU
[5-0 YTD against the spread; 3-2 predicting the winner outright. Mistakenly thought we'd beat both Duke and Purdue.]
20 - ILL
24 - MSU
[5-0 YTD against the spread; 3-2 predicting the winner outright. Mistakenly thought we'd beat both Duke and Purdue.]
There's probably been about twenty other 2-3 starts since 1999 which would be a better reference for how the rest of this season will go
That was one of the most amazing and improbable seasons ever. We defeated Michigan the week after the loss to MN. Beautiful.
I never had any hope for this team and the players to be great or top half in 2026. Our secondary and the returning players except Bailey are mediocre, period. Couple that with no Linebackers and DLine, we were always trash. I thought flat out we would give up 30 points plus every game and 200 to 300 yards rushing. Massive, Massive, Massive Fail on Coach for waiting for NFL season to end to get great D Coordinator. Then you bring in a tired old ball coach and his entire family to coach a High School defense. I cannot figure out what CoachB was thinking, but wow. That's how you take a huge Step Backwards. I'm crossing toes and fingers, we spend money on staff and Portal this winter.
no.