Fingers crossed that an 8 win season makes Illinois a desirable target for the Free Agent... errr... Transfer Portal QB crop this year.
Looking ahead to 2023
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Date Opponent (Opponent 2022 SP+ Ranking)..... Way Too Early Prediction
9/2 Toledo (81)... Win
9/9 @ Kansas (61)... Hopefully a Win
9/16 Penn State (8).... Loss
9/23 Florida Atlantic (92)... Win
9/30 @ Purdue (47)... Loss
10/7 Nebraska (71)... Intriguing one, let's go with Win
10/14 @ Maryland (32)... Loss, keep on eye on Tagovailoa's decision
10/21 Wisconsin (42)... Loss
11/4 @ Minnesota (16)... Loss
11/11 Indiana (90)... Win
11/18 @ Iowa (27)... Loss
11/25 Northwestern (110)... Win
Prediction: 6-6
Anywhere from 4-8 to 8-4 on the table. I dunno if the team has it in them to go 5-2 against Kansas, Purdue, Nebraska, Maryland, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa (with 5 of those games on the Road) to make 9-3 a possibility. Those will be the 7 most important games IMO.
9/2 Toledo (81)... Win
9/9 @ Kansas (61)... Hopefully a Win
9/16 Penn State (8).... Loss
9/23 Florida Atlantic (92)... Win
9/30 @ Purdue (47)... Loss
10/7 Nebraska (71)... Intriguing one, let's go with Win
10/14 @ Maryland (32)... Loss, keep on eye on Tagovailoa's decision
10/21 Wisconsin (42)... Loss
11/4 @ Minnesota (16)... Loss
11/11 Indiana (90)... Win
11/18 @ Iowa (27)... Loss
11/25 Northwestern (110)... Win
Prediction: 6-6
Anywhere from 4-8 to 8-4 on the table. I dunno if the team has it in them to go 5-2 against Kansas, Purdue, Nebraska, Maryland, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa (with 5 of those games on the Road) to make 9-3 a possibility. Those will be the 7 most important games IMO.
redwingillini11
White and Sixth
- North Aurora
I think this is about where I am at. All of those losses, besides probably Penn State, could easily be wins, but we could drop Kansas or Nebraska. This is definitely the realistic ballpark.
As others more knowledgeable have said, we lose a lot next year. I think it will be a real tester of a year to see the resiliency of the recruiting and coaching. I am NOT saying any of the coaches are not good, but several of our defensive players will probably be playing on Sundays in the future. Looking mostly at the coordinators, are they good, or are they great? Will the Board be talking about Walters' head coaching candidacies this time next year, or screaming about the defensive drop off? Hoping for the best as always...
Haven't even mentioned the offense...who will throw the ball? How much will the run game suffer after losing the nation's top P5 rusher? Will McCray return to form? Etc.
I am not predicting a return to suck as after the Turner and Zook peaks, I do believe in Bret and what he is doing. But I also expect some reversion to the mean. Can't expect the top RB and the top CB in the country every year.
Haven't even mentioned the offense...who will throw the ball? How much will the run game suffer after losing the nation's top P5 rusher? Will McCray return to form? Etc.
I am not predicting a return to suck as after the Turner and Zook peaks, I do believe in Bret and what he is doing. But I also expect some reversion to the mean. Can't expect the top RB and the top CB in the country every year.
MustangWally
- Mayfield
This was supposed to be a down year after the loss of the super seniors. But BB and staff coached them up. I expect the same next year.
It's hard to predict those two teams since they have new coaches. Could be a lot of attrition from asst. coaches, players and recruits.
From an article by Joey Wagner of 24/7 Sports
“Illinois will lose plenty of talented starters who are out of eligibility: QB Tommy DeVito, OL Alex Palczewski, OL Alex Pihlstrom, DL Calvin Avery, DB Sydney Brown, DB Quan Martin, DB Kendall Smith and LB Isaac Darkangelo.
There’s also the matter of players likely to leap to the NFL: DL Johnny Newton, DB Devon Witherspoon and RB Chase Brown.
Other players like OL Julian Pearl, OL Isaiah Adams, DL Keith Randolph and LB Tarique Barnes will have decisions to make about their future.”
Illinivek23
- Gurnee
Looking at non-Freshmen DL that will likely be back - scary thin for 3 spots (LE, NT, RE)
McConnell, Verdis, Bryce B, Wilkins?, Kirts, TeRah
McConnell, Verdis, Bryce B, Wilkins?, Kirts, TeRah
Jeez now I think I feel worse...
Big Jack
- Decatur
@illini0440 ,@Indy Illini Fan Any chance here would seem to be a good option
Attachments
I’m sure we will kick the tires….early reports are Iowa. He was also really high on Wisconsin when he committed to UM.
Good analysis and almost identical to what I would predict. The transfer portal is what makes any predictions right now very difficult. If we land an awesome QB transfer, as well as above average D Line and DB players, I can see us closer to the 8 wins. If not I can see us closer to 4-5 wins. Without a doubt we should be more desirable for transfers now, than we were a year ago.
Agreed -- this feels comfortable to me. I am wondering if we will see a slight regression next year with all this talent departing, and then a leap-forward in 2024 with some of BB's recruits and a few years of practices/weights/development.
If mcnamara isn’t a realistic option can we atleast land any transfer options on d line or db? Obviously losing a ton in the secondary but avery and potentially Newton is big shoes to fill..if pearl leaves it definitely hurts but feel more confident in oline than dline as we’re currently constructed. Am I wrong?
The way you word this makes it seem like McNamara is the only QB we will look at(not the case) and yes they will look at DL and DB options in the portal and JUCO.
No no no, i like the miami oh qb option and im sure there’s plenty of potential qb options to bring up, i just was hoping we had a shot on mcnamara, didn’t think iowa or other big ten west schools would be rumored already without mentioning Illinois at all so that sorta ended that train. Just know how important a qb is since everyone in the bigten west is in the same boat needing a proven qb
We will have plenty of options in the portal at QB.
They liked him from the get go.
I almost want to start beating the drum right now that the defense could still be okay next year and literally give up double the points. This group was historic.
I'll second that. Why not? BB was so pissed at those 4 losses that his challenge next season is to turn those losses into wins. Walters challenge is to maintain the consistency he established this season carrying over from last season. No blow outs. Lunney's challenge is to implement more of his schemes with a QB that he has a say so about.12-0. Piece of cake
I second that
BB and staff have turned this thing around much quicker than anyone thought he could. We will lose some guys to the transfer portal and gain a number of guys besides the given guys out of eligibility/going pro. Illinois might regress record wise next year but not throwing in that towel until I see who is coming in and most importantly who the next starting QB will be. I won't set expectations for next year without seeing the final roster setup but BB has the program going strong for a consistent bowl team appearance.
My only request last offseason is that they needed to find a solid, consistent QB for this years squad. Sitkowski was not the answer as a starting QB for the squad this year or next season. That is all I am asking again....I have enough confidence we add more quality recruits/transfers at other positions. There will be a ton of QB options on the market!
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