The Washington loss was devastating for me. Couldn't watch them the same.
Pregame: Illinois vs UAB, Thursday, September 3rd, 8:00pm CT, BTN
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lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Yeah, that's the other thing headed into this year.
Even though we won 9 games last year including a bowl win over Tennessee, the fan vibes weren't great much of the year.
Since we were #12 to start the year, a playoff berth became the expectation. Then we had 63-10 against Indiana, 42-25 against Washington, 34-16 against Ohio St, and 27-10 against (4-8) Wisconsin.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
He / she has a point…
I guess we experienced different season ticket experiences last year. I never once felt the vibes bad or worse or whatever they're trying to say.
Then go back to the postgame thread after those losses.
I think the outcome of the Indiana game plus the general meteoric rise of Indiana really took the wind out of some of the fan momentum. That combined with the mindset of CFP or bust I think left a sour taste for the season results.
Just from small personal experience I’d say it’s been difficult talking with my more casual Illinois football brothers to remind them of the perspective of what Illinois was/had been for the better part of 25 years prior to Bielema taking over
To be clear, I’m happy with the direction of the program. The fact I expect this team to compete for 8-9 wins speaks volumes.
I just thought last year was a missed opportunity. And from a fan viewership perspective I really got sick watching the same issues - the defense was so annoying.
None of the home games really bothered me though - Ohio State was a clear class difference but that’s to be expected and I don’t think we embarrassed ourselves.
Indiana, Washington, and Wisconsin were embarrassing results
Weird. I see it exactly opposite. The Indiana sting hurt. And then we came back home and had one of the most exciting games i remember being at when we beat USC. Losing to Ohio State a couple weeks later was a bummer, but didn't really dampen anything. It was Ohio State.
Losing to Washington was a bummer, too, but it was an away game. By that point it was apparent that Indiana was the real deal, too, so the Indiana loss was more embarrassing for some of the decisions making and how we lost than the fact we lost the game.
Honestly, the only real game that took the wind out of our sails was the loss to Wisconsin. That one was borderline inexcusable.
But another 9-win season with a bowl win? Great season. Games continues to sell out. Stadium atmosphere was still exciting.
For those of us who are older, we remember the slush fund scandal and some of the terrible football in the 60's 70's ( with the exception of the short Bob Blackmon era) until Mike White came along in the 1980's.
band camp
- STL City
My note on fan vibes last year. My major take away was the team's resilience after those awful losses.
Big bounce back wins says a lot about that team's identity and character. Other teams may have packed it in, they didnt, and my vibe was strong as ever going into Nashville. Add those gorgeous unis as the cherry on top of beating UT.
All good vibes here.
Big bounce back wins says a lot about that team's identity and character. Other teams may have packed it in, they didnt, and my vibe was strong as ever going into Nashville. Add those gorgeous unis as the cherry on top of beating UT.
All good vibes here.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
The original post was about why last year’s first game thread had quite a few more posts than this year’s. So when I’m talking about fan vibes, I’m talking about online/message board vibes. I attended two games last year and I agree, the fans in the stands had excellent vibes. But as someone who reads all the boards, last year had quite a bit of fan discontent online.
Fan vibes online are directly correlated with fan expectations. If everyone expects a 5 win season and you win 9, good vibes. If you expect to be a playoff contender and you aren’t, vibes aren’t so good.
Will be bringing the family of 4. Leaving work early, hoping to arrive shortly after Noon for some tailgating. Been looking forward to this all summer long!
48-13. The D gets one defensive touchdown, but allows UAB to have some long drives in the first half. Bobby Hauck overall pleased with the performance. The Offense goes crazy. Converts a couple 4th and shorts on the opposing 40 Yd line throughout the game. Houser 3 TD's (Abney, Dixon x2). Laughery 2 TD runs.
LETS GO!!!
48-13. The D gets one defensive touchdown, but allows UAB to have some long drives in the first half. Bobby Hauck overall pleased with the performance. The Offense goes crazy. Converts a couple 4th and shorts on the opposing 40 Yd line throughout the game. Houser 3 TD's (Abney, Dixon x2). Laughery 2 TD runs.
LETS GO!!!
Updated GMS Sellout Watch for UAB. A few hundred more tickets have moved in the last few days.
I noticed the DIA said in a recent email that "less than 2,500 tickets remain" for the Duke game. Using that as a barometer, I think it's likely my estimates are light by a couple thousand. So I'm guessing we do break 50,000 tickets sold on Thursday night.
I noticed the DIA said in a recent email that "less than 2,500 tickets remain" for the Duke game. Using that as a barometer, I think it's likely my estimates are light by a couple thousand. So I'm guessing we do break 50,000 tickets sold on Thursday night.
blackdog
- Champaign
The problem is a growing portion of fans starting to get into a mentality where if you dont make the CFP its not worth paying attention to.
I’m curious what effect the heat will have on attendance Thursday. Already going to be tough with a Thursday game, but the extreme heat this week is going to present another issue.
I seriously don't personally know a single one of those.
To be honest... I would never base anything on IllinoisLoyalty's forums. Not a single thing.
BZuppke
- Plainfield
We actually had better games stats than OSU. 4 turnovers is what lost the game. Wisconsin was the most disappointing loss.
I’m pleased with winning seasons and no blowouts. Give me competitive games and more wins than losses year after year.
Any of them.
I agree but the way we played the next game was so inspiring I was back on board.
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