Looking ahead to 2024

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#101      

EyeoftheIllini

EyeoftheIllini
EyeoftheIllini
TheDrinkinLincoln said:
Not official, insiders on our end haven't heard anything definitive that we are cancelling. All the buzz says that Kansas already locked up Syracuse but the official announcement will come once we find a replacement.

I personally don't think we are backing out. JW is good at his job and likely wouldn't have ditched a home game against a good opponent without already having a replacement lined up. It also doesn't fit BB's mentality where we would play anyone, any time, anywhere.
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Thanks for the response. I agree it seems unlikely they would cancel a game without having something else booked, but I don’t buy the “BB mentality” thing. Every decent or better coach says the same thing. I hope they play it, but I think a strong argument can be made that at this point in the building of the program, the benefits of getting to another bowl (practices, recruiting cache, fan buy-in) are more important than a game against a good opponent that could be a loss. Not as if the Illini will likely be fighting for a playoff spot next year where a win over Kansas would mean more than any other win to build a resume. Missing a bowl again will have some kind of negative impact I would think.
 
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#102      

Illwinsagain

Illwinsagain
Cary, IL
Illwinsagain
EyeoftheIllini said:
Thanks for the response. I agree it seems unlikely they would cancel a game without having something else booked, but I don’t buy the “BB mentality” thing. Every decent or better coach says the same thing. I hope they play it, but I think a strong argument can be made that at this point in the building of the program, the benefits of getting to another bowl (practices, recruiting cache, fan buy-in) are more important than a game against a good opponent that could be a loss. Not as if the Illini will likely be fighting for a playoff spot next year where a win over Kansas would mean more than any other win to build a resume. Missing a bowl again will have some kind of negative impact I would think.
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I would like a 90% chance for a win, instead of 50% (if that) on the non-con schedule. But, I really don't want the reputation of a team running scared from competition. It could be used, like anything can, in recruiting.
 
#103      

TheDrinkinLincoln

TheDrinkinLincoln
TheDrinkinLincoln
EyeoftheIllini said:
Thanks for the response. I agree it seems unlikely they would cancel a game without having something else booked, but I don’t buy the “BB mentality” thing. Every decent or better coach says the same thing. I hope they play it, but I think a strong argument can be made that at this point in the building of the program, the benefits of getting to another bowl (practices, recruiting cache, fan buy-in) are more important than a game against a good opponent that could be a loss. Not as if the Illini will likely be fighting for a playoff spot next year where a win over Kansas would mean more than any other win to build a resume. Missing a bowl again will have some kind of negative impact I would think.
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No but backing out of the game does signal you don't have faith in your team. Basically telling all the people in that room "I don't think you can do it" and if you're scared of Kansas we should just pack it in because we don't belong in the B1G. Backing out sends the wrong message. We can get to 6 wins playing Kansas and if we beat them in a revenge game like we did to UVA it builds that confidence that this could be something special.

Just my opinion but backing out of that game sets you farther back than 10 practices and a game where we are basically playing an exhibition game(because that is what non-CFP/NYE6 bowls are with Transfer and draft eligible players sitting out)
 
#104      

EyeoftheIllini

EyeoftheIllini
EyeoftheIllini
TheDrinkinLincoln said:
No but backing out of the game does signal you don't have faith in your team. Basically telling all the people in that room "I don't think you can do it" and if you're scared of Kansas we should just pack it in because we don't belong in the B1G. Backing out sends the wrong message. We can get to 6 wins playing Kansas and if we beat them in a revenge game like we did to UVA it builds that confidence that this could be something special.

Just my opinion but backing out of that game sets you farther back than 10 practices and a game where we are basically playing an exhibition game(because that is what non-CFP/NYE6 bowls are with Transfer and draft eligible players sitting out)
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I’m sure there are a number of reasons to cancel the game other than “running scared.” I agree winning a revenge game would be nice. As to “we can get to 6 wins” — sure we could. Though I remember a lot of people on here saying we could win more than that and win the West last year on this board.

Your take on what a bowl game is is from a fan’s perspective. Do players feel that way? Coaches? Getting to a bowl is more than just the actual game. When you’re touting that we are building a program and Illini football is now different, how effective is that message to recruits/transfers when the scorecard reads two straight years of missing a bowl? As long-time Illini fans, we can see the progress. Can recruits and transfers?

Like I said, I hope they play the game. Just saying might not be the worst thing for the program build if the game doesn’t come off.
 
#105      

spotter

S
spotter
Ander1345 said:
With 3 near certain losses(@PSU, @Oregon, Michiggan)...

Our 6 most possible wins are probably EIU, CMU, Minnesota, Purdue, @RU, @Northwestern
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In another thread I said there are two "probably will win" games and three "probably won't win" games. The rest are tossups.

So anywhere between 2-10 and 9-3.
 
#108      

IlliniFanTX

I
IlliniFanTX
GrayGhost77 said:
I don't know, man, I'm thinking anywhere between 0-12 and 12-0 is most likely for the regular season.
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Oh My God Wow GIF
 
#109      

BRucks

BRucks
BRucks
TheDrinkinLincoln said:
Not official, insiders on our end haven't heard anything definitive that we are cancelling. All the buzz says that Kansas already locked up Syracuse but the official announcement will come once we find a replacement.

I personally don't think we are backing out. JW is good at his job and likely wouldn't have ditched a home game against a good opponent without already having a replacement lined up. It also doesn't fit BB's mentality where we would play anyone, any time, anywhere.
Click to expand...
Due to the changing nature of the B10 membership there has been a lot of flux in future football schedules. As part of that, I think that we will cancel the game vs. Kansas. I've heard that they hope to play EIU but that EIU already has a game scheduled for Sept. 7 vs. Illinois State which they hope to move. If you check this version of EIU's schedule, they already show that they are playing us (but on Aug. 24).

fbschedules.com

2024 Eastern Illinois Football Schedule | FBSchedules.com

View the 2024 Eastern Illinois Football Schedule at FBSchedules.com. The EIU Panthers schedule includes opponents, date, time, and TV.
fbschedules.com
 
#110      

Chukwuwumba

Chukwuwumba
Chukwuwumba
TheDrinkinLincoln said:
No but backing out of the game does signal you don't have faith in your team. Basically telling all the people in that room "I don't think you can do it" and if you're scared of Kansas we should just pack it in because we don't belong in the B1G. Backing out sends the wrong message. We can get to 6 wins playing Kansas and if we beat them in a revenge game like we did to UVA it builds that confidence that this could be something special.

Just my opinion but backing out of that game sets you farther back than 10 practices and a game where we are basically playing an exhibition game(because that is what non-CFP/NYE6 bowls are with Transfer and draft eligible players sitting out)
Click to expand...
I don’t see this at all. Georgia? Alabama played Texas. Michigan. All the top teams seem to play 1 or zero challenging noncon games.
There’s a difference between hubris and realistic expectations.
No BIG west protection next year (even though it didn’t matter this year). Trying to build program consistency aka need wins to stack up. Team is in gap/ transition from bridging upperclassmen and portal adds to BB developmental players.
 
#114      

BretMyBeachHouse

B
BretMyBeachHouse
TheDrinkinLincoln said:
No but backing out of the game does signal you don't have faith in your team. Basically telling all the people in that room "I don't think you can do it" and if you're scared of Kansas we should just pack it in because we don't belong in the B1G. Backing out sends the wrong message. We can get to 6 wins playing Kansas and if we beat them in a revenge game like we did to UVA it builds that confidence that this could be something special.

Just my opinion but backing out of that game sets you farther back than 10 practices and a game where we are basically playing an exhibition game(because that is what non-CFP/NYE6 bowls are with Transfer and draft eligible players sitting out)
Click to expand...
You're talking like the 1% of fans inhabiting message boards. No one in the real world will care about it for much more than a day.
 
#115      

DeonThomas

DeonThomas
South Carolina
DeonThomas
BRucks said:
Due to the changing nature of the B10 membership there has been a lot of flux in future football schedules. As part of that, I think that we will cancel the game vs. Kansas. I've heard that they hope to play EIU but that EIU already has a game scheduled for Sept. 7 vs. Illinois State which they hope to move. If you check this version of EIU's schedule, they already show that they are playing us (but on Aug. 24).

fbschedules.com

2024 Eastern Illinois Football Schedule | FBSchedules.com

View the 2024 Eastern Illinois Football Schedule at FBSchedules.com. The EIU Panthers schedule includes opponents, date, time, and TV.
fbschedules.com
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Bill, I consider you a bit of a University insider. And you're serious --- we may indeed cancel the "return venue" portion of a home & home series with Kansas.?

I'm rather shocked. Plus, I was planning to attend both Kansas games (one down, one to go) and both Duke games over this current 4-year stretch. In my view, Kansas and Duke are perfect Power 5 opponents for us. Back in the day as a student, I loved seeing Stanford, Syracuse, Cal, Mississippi St, Texas A&M, Baylor, et.al. at Memorial Stadium! Geographical and Conference diversity was great!!

I would hope the Big 10 conference is going to demand/require at least least one non-conference Power 5 opponent on the schedule each season.
 
#118      

Illini92and96

Illini92and96
Austin, TX
Illini92and96
DeonThomas said:
Bill, I consider you a bit of a University insider. And you're serious --- we may indeed cancel the "return venue" portion of a home & home series with Kansas.?

I'm rather shocked. Plus, I was planning to attend both Kansas games (one down, one to go) and both Duke games over this current 4-year stretch. In my view, Kansas and Duke are perfect Power 5 opponents for us. Back in the day as a student, I loved seeing Stanford, Syracuse, Cal, Mississippi St, Texas A&M, Baylor, et.al. at Memorial Stadium! Geographical and Conference diversity was great!!

I would hope the Big 10 conference is going to demand/require at least least one non-conference Power 5 opponent on the schedule each season.
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Never, unless the SEC does it as well. There’s too much focus on losses over SOS when it comes to the playoff, and it would hurt the BIG for selection, seeding, and even overall perception of conference strength.
 
#125      

IlliniFaninHoosierLand

IlliniFaninHoosierLand
IlliniFaninHoosierLand
BRucks said:
Due to the changing nature of the B10 membership there has been a lot of flux in future football schedules. As part of that, I think that we will cancel the game vs. Kansas. I've heard that they hope to play EIU but that EIU already has a game scheduled for Sept. 7 vs. Illinois State which they hope to move. If you check this version of EIU's schedule, they already show that they are playing us (but on Aug. 24).

fbschedules.com

2024 Eastern Illinois Football Schedule | FBSchedules.com

View the 2024 Eastern Illinois Football Schedule at FBSchedules.com. The EIU Panthers schedule includes opponents, date, time, and TV.
fbschedules.com
Click to expand...

It'll be tough for ISU to move that game as I really don't see an open place for them to move it until they're deep into conference season: https://goredbirds.com/sports/football/schedule/2024

Plus EIU and ISU typically like to play the Mid-America Classic early in the season.
 
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