band camp
- STL City
Very good point sir.
Pregame: Illinois at Nebraska, Saturday, October 29th, 2:30pm CT, ABC
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Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
It is interesting how, through different players and coaches, certain programs have others' numbers. It's likely mostly chance or just that one has been better than the other, but I am sure some psychological factors and style of play matter, as well.
Some fun ones from the past that come to mind are when our basketball program won 20 straight vs. some decent Minnesota teams (at least decent enough to upset us every once in a while), how Purdue (and previously Northwestern) specializes in ruining potentially special Iowa football seasons, how the Illini were the SHARPEST thorn in the side of Ohio State football for a long stretch there and - of course - Iowa football seemingly being divinely destined to beat the Illini
... until this year! And that last point plays to a previous poster's point ... not only do these streaks only exist "until they don't," but I have had both a Wisconsin and Iowa friend express the opinion that this year has somewhat of a feeling of the "changing of the guard."
CUSHION PLEASE
Good stuff, thanks for the stats.
The thing I love with this team, is we basically have 2 defenses. The Walter's D, and our offense keeping their offense off the field. Even if Palmer is tearing it up, will he be on the field enough for it to matter? Hopefully not.
Chuck Nuggets
Dip your nuggets in my staff source sauce.
I hope Chase Brown runs for 947 yards vs. Nebraska. 12 rushes, 12 TDs.
Woh not sure about this one. I have a feeling the winner of the west is going to be by tiebreaker. I personally consider Purdue to be our biggest competition (outside maybe Minny) to win the west. I’m not going to assume we beat them, Purdue having another loss at this point in the season is more beneficial to us than Wisconsin winning.
band camp
- STL City
Stuart Smalley. Great skit.Hey, now...
Thank you for this, had a nice chuckle.
And then the actor became a Senator! Crazy world we live in.
Sorry to clutter the thread, but the best ever Stuart Smalley has got to be this one, with Charles Barkley:
Anyone else a bit worried about this one? I definitely think we’re the better team, but we’re also going into a very tough road environment after a couple big home wins, and Nebraska isn’t as bad as the Northwestern loss made them look. I like our chances but this just feels like a classic trap.
Also, who would’ve thought 5 years ago that we’d be talking about a road game at Nebraska being a trap game. We’ve come a long way.
Also, who would’ve thought 5 years ago that we’d be talking about a road game at Nebraska being a trap game. We’ve come a long way.
I get the sneaky suspicion that Coach Bielema's time in the NFL has taken him to another level in leading a program. His structure for player and coach meetings. Tape watching, players, and managing his/coaches schedule and recruiting. Practice and game bubble to preparation then execution on Saturday. He's always been successful, but now I think he is firing on all cylinders. Gongrats Coach B.
Good timing for a bye week.
I think this game might be most important all season for the Illini brand, and all of the national momentum this team created. Both ABC and ESPN should gather the largest national audience to date, and a great showing can go a long way reinforcing the stats that the Illini are headlining both individually and as a team.
If they have a good showing in this time slot, and then can win out until Michigan then it really sets them up to get all eyes on them against Michigan.
IlliniCardinal
- Minneapolis
HUGE game. The college football playoff comes out with its first ranking of the year on November 1st. A great chance for national exposure.
My experience with Nebraska fans has always been positive.
Imagine a 9-1 vs 10-0 Ill vs UM game. That will be huge.
then if you want to play “what if” imagine both teams at 10-0. Damn Indiana game.
I think any way you slice it we’re just gonna have to beat Purdue head to head.
Yes, worried. I’m worried about every game though, except maybe Northwestern.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Yes, if we lose to Purdue & Michigan, Purdue would have to lose 3 other games for us to win the West, which is highly unlikely.
That being said, if we can’t beat Purdue at home, we don’t deserve to win the West over them.
The what if is tough because if Bielema was 100% on his Quattro calls then the Illini go bowling last year, and are undefeated this year, but maybe then they wouldn’t have That Mentality.
So average starting position is the 21? Sounds like you don't think much of our defense.
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