Illinois vs Iowa, Saturday, November 21st, 1:30pm CT, BTN
Everyone's known deep down this would be the make-or-break game of the season. Win and it's been a pretty good season. Lose and this season will be looked back as meh
It they lose to Iowa and beat NW to go to 7-5 I think it will be a positive season especially after the Purdue debacle
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
89illini
- Grand Rapids, MI
3-0!
I’ll be there
Health is going to be a big question mark for this game.
Clement is in a sling. Houser got destroyed by the UCLA lineman on the final drive.
Clement is in a sling. Houser got destroyed by the UCLA lineman on the final drive.
They can compete - and they were very gritty tonight in the Rose Bowl. They also continue to improve.
For most of my adult life my hope for Illinois football was as follows;
Be competitive enough that I can enjoy watching each game (check)
Be better than Purdue (check)
Win between 5 and 7 games each year and occasionally challenge the league by winning 8-10 games (check)
Do I want to win every game ? Of course… but I thank God for Bret for giving me what I asked for. I can’t tell you how many years we were so bad that I couldn’t even watch the game without knowing we were going to lose by 25+ points. It was a lot of years… like more than half.
I try to keep things in perspective and enjoy the ride. And also, F Michigan. ILL!
Be competitive enough that I can enjoy watching each game (check)
Be better than Purdue (check)
Win between 5 and 7 games each year and occasionally challenge the league by winning 8-10 games (check)
Do I want to win every game ? Of course… but I thank God for Bret for giving me what I asked for. I can’t tell you how many years we were so bad that I couldn’t even watch the game without knowing we were going to lose by 25+ points. It was a lot of years… like more than half.
I try to keep things in perspective and enjoy the ride. And also, F Michigan. ILL!
One last time down into the valley... boys...ILL
..then of course we will have to ride out the next week... Ride!!!!ILL!!!
Those are my criteria too. We were tough last night. Someone called it gritty. If UCLA had let up or stumbled, we’d have taken over. You can’t ask for any more when playing the #4 team in the country. Now let’s play that way against Iowa at home!
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
On a similar note, when I moved to Chicago in 2019 and first went out for a college football Saturday doing some bar hopping, we lost at home … to Eastern Michigan. I remember all I want is for people to see my Illini gear and immediately feel pity. Whether we ended up 4-8 or 8-4, I wanted people to assume they’d be in for an actual battle vs. Illinois because we were at least a serious program.
Agreed again … thank GOD for Bret!!!!!
After watching Iowa most of the year have this circled as being one we could get blown out. Despite a great defensive effort against UCLA will be a major test to not get beat up on the LOS. Houser/Lunney will need to ready as this defense is similar to UCLAs ability to shut them down.
I guess I'm not seeing where a blowout could happen. Things change as the season progresses, but they barely beat an average Iowa State team, had a miracle win against a bad Michigan team, and lost to an average Minnesota team. They also had just an okay win against Northwestern when NW was missing their QB. Is it the Wisconsin game? I feel like they have had their number over the last several years.
That said, while I don't think we win this one, it will be similar to the UCLA game.
I was at the game in Pasadena last night. The Defense played well and the offense was not in sync. If we get our offense clicking we will beat Iowa.
Its hard to believe the weather forecast for late November in Champaign is better than it was in Pasadena yesterday. I predict an Illinois victory against Iowa on a beautiful Indian summer day.
Its hard to believe the weather forecast for late November in Champaign is better than it was in Pasadena yesterday. I predict an Illinois victory against Iowa on a beautiful Indian summer day.
Given all the injuries and our lack of talent on defense, the fact we will at worst go 6-6 is a solid season in my book
how amazing is it to be settling into "bowl eligibility" as the program floor?
illini80
- Forgottonia
If we can play UCLA that tough on the road and have a chance to win at the end with our QB having a subpar game, we can sure beat Iowa. Not saying we will, but I see it as no worse than a 50/50 shot. Hopefully our O-line can shore some things up to give KH a little more time. I hope the crowd shows up big time. Sounds like a great day at this point.