I’m sure as hell not going to defend Miller after this game, and it may eventually cost him his job. But never get better? Didnthe OL actually get better as the season went on last year?
Indiana 63, Illinois 10 Postgame
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Illinivek23
- Gurnee
Didn't they say they totally redid the blocking scheme at halftime of the Duke game? Did we go back to what didn't work in the 1H against Duke? We looked so passive - just confused the whole game. I'm hung over and I didn't have a drop last night...
It’s been a long time since I was stunned watching a football game. But that’s what happened on a lost Saturday night in the giddy State of Indiana in full view of a Nation that was tuning in to see if the Illini football team was in fact for real. That the Number Nine ranking was justified. That the Big Ten powers of the last decades have a new kid in town to deal with.
And the answer that was gaudily and painfully displayed from Coast to Coast was not pretty to Illini Nation or for any casual viewers looking for a competitive game to watch.
This was a real opportunity to showcase the improved Illini football program to the Nation. And it was – as we all saw – a disaster. Not just the loss of one football game but an embarrassment to the Illini program and Illini fans who so want to believe in this rebuild.
One team showed up to play. They rose to the occasion and sent their fans rocking. The Illini looked like they never got off the bus. Indiana was scoring at will and could have racked up even more points if they chose to.
Where do the Illini go from here? Will their embarrassment bring out some pride and response and yet save this season? Or will they take this game as a gauge of where they really are as a program and just stay among the Big Ten also-rans?
Finally, a Top Ten Illini football game got a night game on a major network to show what they’re made of.
Sadly, it might be a good long while before they get that chance again.
And the answer that was gaudily and painfully displayed from Coast to Coast was not pretty to Illini Nation or for any casual viewers looking for a competitive game to watch.
This was a real opportunity to showcase the improved Illini football program to the Nation. And it was – as we all saw – a disaster. Not just the loss of one football game but an embarrassment to the Illini program and Illini fans who so want to believe in this rebuild.
One team showed up to play. They rose to the occasion and sent their fans rocking. The Illini looked like they never got off the bus. Indiana was scoring at will and could have racked up even more points if they chose to.
Where do the Illini go from here? Will their embarrassment bring out some pride and response and yet save this season? Or will they take this game as a gauge of where they really are as a program and just stay among the Big Ten also-rans?
Finally, a Top Ten Illini football game got a night game on a major network to show what they’re made of.
Sadly, it might be a good long while before they get that chance again.
The next oc should have a say in who’s on their staff. At this point are we should Lunney will get a head coaching job
OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
Yep. Like I said in a different thread, at some point it's time to stop asking the hottest girl in school if she keeps rejecting you. It doesn't matter if you change your clothing style, attend the club she attends, or anything else that you think will finally get her to notice you. If she keeps saying no, it's time to let go of that pipe dream and start asking the slightly nerdier, but still pretty cute, girl that has shown interest in you.
It's the hope that ultimately gets you. We've seen this happen at least six times in the last 30 years. At some point, you just have to accept reality.
It's the hope that ultimately gets you. We've seen this happen at least six times in the last 30 years. At some point, you just have to accept reality.
Another biggest problem is Indiana is 20 points (or more) better than Illinois
Illini92and96
- Austin, TX
I never played football, but with the insane amount of coaches on staff wouldn’t someone have the responsibility to count number of players in the field every play?
illini80
- Forgottonia
Two special teams substitution problems that cost us 14 points. Truly unfathomable.
Edit: was it really Indiana that only had 10?
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uofi7477
- Silver & Gold Vandals
Women's Basketball, that is...
Illini4Chief
- TENNESSEE
I posted before the game, that this is the game that shows me WHO Illinois is.........I got my answer
Why is BB solely blaming OL when this defense allowed 63 points and that too thanks to Indiana only rushing during 4th quarter not to embarass a fellow Big ten team.
OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
With or without being able to set wide receiver picks on every single play while our secondary is depleted because of injuries and a terrible targeting call?
Yes. And a player’s responsibility on the field. Probably the punter’s on a punt.
illini80
- Forgottonia
There are things that are fixable - like guys being out of position, taking bad angles, and running backs not picking up their blocks. But both sides of the line being completely dominated is most concerning to me. Well that and the injuries to the secondary. Hopefully they will be back shortly. 
Depth can only take you so far when you're down to your third string.
After a long night, the Duke game was a huge warning sign that our offensive line (and other position groups) have some major issues. Without the turnovers and boneheaded plays Duke made, we lose that by 20+ points. I would have hoped we made major adjustments after that one, but either we didn't, or we are really bad up front.
Another big concern is the whole halftime adjustment issue. We need to make adjustments within the game, and make them fast. We seem to need way too much time to adapt and adjust on the fly.
And the whole team speed thing, we are just lacking in that area, at pretty much every position. Oregon last year showed us that. It's been a theme over the past few years. We have a tough time competing with teams with speed and athleticism that don't make mental errors or turn the ball over.
I guess the biggest concern here is, we got absolutely throttled at every position, at every level of coaching, and didn't have a single answer for anything they did - even when they just handed the ball off.
USC is a tough test, and now with injuries, it could be another disaster. That game will tell us if we have the ability to make changes, and just leave everything on the field, or if this thing snowballs and sets us back even further.
It's clear we were overrated, but I still think this is a top-25 team. Indiana exposed some big issues that we have all seen.
Cignetti might be abrasive, but he backs it up and is one hell of a coach, staff, and roster builder.
Another big concern is the whole halftime adjustment issue. We need to make adjustments within the game, and make them fast. We seem to need way too much time to adapt and adjust on the fly.
And the whole team speed thing, we are just lacking in that area, at pretty much every position. Oregon last year showed us that. It's been a theme over the past few years. We have a tough time competing with teams with speed and athleticism that don't make mental errors or turn the ball over.
I guess the biggest concern here is, we got absolutely throttled at every position, at every level of coaching, and didn't have a single answer for anything they did - even when they just handed the ball off.
USC is a tough test, and now with injuries, it could be another disaster. That game will tell us if we have the ability to make changes, and just leave everything on the field, or if this thing snowballs and sets us back even further.
It's clear we were overrated, but I still think this is a top-25 team. Indiana exposed some big issues that we have all seen.
Cignetti might be abrasive, but he backs it up and is one hell of a coach, staff, and roster builder.
Yes. Well that was the case, though I swear he said it was us. Maybe I misheard it, but either way it was IU with 10 and we still managed to allow one of their guys a free run at our kicker. So in reality, even worse than what I thought he said. Sigh.
I'd say the 53 yard touchdown to Dixon made them pay, but it was only one play and very early. Don't totally disagree with what you are saying regarding Lunney; he has his weaknesses. However, an offensive coordinator relies on a modicum of blocking from his line. We have one of the most experienced lines in the country. It was touted as a strength of the team in the offseason. It has clearly been the biggest weakness of this team.....for a few years now. The offensive problems start there. Full stop. Lunney is not the best, but he is far down on the list of problems with this offense IMO. Bart Miller and whoever else recruits and "develops" linemen on the other hand......
Illini92and96
- Austin, TX
I’m not sure that’s the point. Fandom, like life, covers a spectrum of optimism to pessimism. We have a good board here where people can express their opinions and we keep it civil. We shouldn’t get worked up if someone is very optimistic or very negative. Just don’t grind someone just because you don’t agree with their opinion.
As the philosopher Big Lebowski once said, “Yeah, well, that’s just, like your opinion, man”
There will be an overabundance of pessimism now. No need to call out the optimists as being ridiculous, and hopefully the optimists rule the day next time.
I had the same thought this morning, massive preparation failure this week. Believe over playing starters at WMU contributrd.
OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
For a coach who made his name at Wisconsin and great O-line play, this has to be eating Bielema up inside. He's shown a willingness to shake up his staff - far more than Underwood has. Let's see how he addresses this.
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