Nebraska 28, Illinois 6 POSTGAME

#51      

the national

the national
the Front Range
the national
This is just like 1997. We had only a handful of capable players that season. But we were young weak and got run over every game. But those freshman eventually won the big ten. Having a good QB was a HUGE part of it. We have to be patient but we NEED to be better on the O-line and I think we need to try Jeff George Jr or maybe Thomas b/c Crouch just isn't able to be effective.
 
#52      

GoIllini23

GoIllini23
GoIllini23
JGJr looked like a Div 1 QB against a top 25 team, Crouch did not come close. How can Lovie and McGee not see this?
 
#53      

EJ33

E
San Francisco
EJ33
GoIllini23 said:
JGJr looked like a Div 1 QB against a top 25 team, Crouch did not come close. How can Lovie and McGee not see this?
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They see it. They just fear interceptions more than they like scoring. I don't agree, but that's what they're thinking.
 
#54      

Ransom Stoddard

Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
Bloomington, IL
Ransom Stoddard
GoIllini23 said:
JGJr looked like a Div 1 QB against a top 25 team, Crouch did not come close. How can Lovie and McGee not see this?
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Inconsistent as Crouch is as a passer, he adds an element to the running game that we don't have with George under center. That's why Lovie says we're a running team.

I get that people are frustrated, and I'll agree 100% I expected a better showing last night, but I'm hanging in for a bunch of reasons:

1. I'm a lifelong fan, I've never given up yet, and won't.
2. This year is all about getting the young kids reps. Period. We're going to see dividends in 2018, and 2019 (with the right QB) can be special. 2020 Rose Bowl should be an expectation IMO.
3. This whole mess is on Mike Thomas, and to an extent his predecessor for not making smart decisions on HC's. Recruiting has been dismal for the better part of the last decade and that's what we're seeing on the field. Lovie gets 2 more years in my mind, regardless of if we don't win another game this season.
4. I trust Lovie. I was skeptical at first, but I see what he's doing, I'm watching the play calling, and I see a coach that's trying to teach and instill a system first, and win games second.
5. Nebraska is waaaay better than I thought they'd be. They're a legitimate contender for the West.

We may not win another game this year--I don't care. I've already got tickets for 11/11 against IU. I'll drive 600 miles each way to cheer this program on in November.

:illinois:
 
#55      

illini2002

I
illini2002
I-L-L

agree with all of this.

Ransom Stoddard said:
Inconsistent as Crouch is as a passer, he adds an element to the running game that we don't have with George under center. That's why Lovie says we're a running team.

I get that people are frustrated, and I'll agree 100% I expected a better showing last night, but I'm hanging in for a bunch of reasons:

1. I'm a lifelong fan, I've never given up yet, and won't.
2. This year is all about getting the young kids reps. Period. We're going to see dividends in 2018, and 2019 (with the right QB) can be special. 2020 Rose Bowl should be an expectation IMO.
3. This whole mess is on Mike Thomas, and to an extent his predecessor for not making smart decisions on HC's. Recruiting has been dismal for the better part of the last decade and that's what we're seeing on the field. Lovie gets 2 more years in my mind, regardless of if we don't win another game this season.
4. I trust Lovie. I was skeptical at first, but I see what he's doing, I'm watching the play calling, and I see a coach that's trying to teach and instill a system first, and win games second.
5. Nebraska is waaaay better than I thought they'd be. They're a legitimate contender for the West.

We may not win another game this year--I don't care. I've already got tickets for 11/11 against IU. I'll drive 600 miles each way to cheer this program on in November.

:illinois:
Click to expand...
 
#56      

FT35

FT35
Naperville
FT35
Ransom Stoddard said:
Inconsistent as Crouch is as a passer, he adds an element to the running game that we don't have with George under center. That's why Lovie says we're a running team.

I get that people are frustrated, and I'll agree 100% I expected a better showing last night, but I'm hanging in for a bunch of reasons:

1. I'm a lifelong fan, I've never given up yet, and won't.
2. This year is all about getting the young kids reps. Period. We're going to see dividends in 2018, and 2019 (with the right QB) can be special. 2020 Rose Bowl should be an expectation IMO.
3. This whole mess is on Mike Thomas, and to an extent his predecessor for not making smart decisions on HC's. Recruiting has been dismal for the better part of the last decade and that's what we're seeing on the field. Lovie gets 2 more years in my mind, regardless of if we don't win another game this season.
4. I trust Lovie. I was skeptical at first, but I see what he's doing, I'm watching the play calling, and I see a coach that's trying to teach and instill a system first, and win games second.
5. Nebraska is waaaay better than I thought they'd be. They're a legitimate contender for the West.

We may not win another game this year--I don't care. I've already got tickets for 11/11 against IU. I'll drive 600 miles each way to cheer this program on in November.

:illinois:
Click to expand...

Great post.
 
#57      

illini2002

I
illini2002
I was on the field for the 3rd Q last night on the end zone side that our ILLINI were driving towards; the thing I noticed was the size difference between our team and theirs.

We look like about of 18 year kids. Right now our team is full of children still going against men. The learning curve alone is massaive not to mention strength. With youth comes lessons. That leads me to a second point. TIMING. Timing is really off with both the O and D. Not because of a lack of talent but because a lack of experience.

This year we will be a step behind almost every play.

Next year we will know what to look for and understand making us stride for stride with teams next year.

2019 we will know what to expect, what to look for and understand why, making us one step faster than the team lined up against us.

That will be exciting 2019 will be our year with 2020 BIG real expectations.

#ILLINI
 
#58      

FiveStar

F
FiveStar
07learningcurve.jpg


For those of you with an inability to see big picture. In case you are wondering, freshman would be at the beginning of the curve. It’s actually a data proven fact that you get better over time. Hence freshman look like our guys looked tonight vs upperclassmen.

Mediocre seniors>talented freshman.
 
#59      

IlliniMed

I
Lillington, N.C.
IlliniMed
Excuses. 6. Points. ... 6 .... you put the QB that gives you the best shot. A part of rebuilding is giving hope to fans and recruits. Being blown out is not going to cut it. Do I expect wins ? No ... but I expect common sense
 
#61      

Deleted member 10676

D
Guest
Deleted member 10676
Not a football fan, would rather Illinois win than not but I don't watch the sport and can't say I'm all that upset BUT saw this on another twitter line where a guy was ranting that Crouch sucks and we should start George. If this is what the coaches are seeing in practice, and this is happening against our D, do you really want George, Jr starting against other B1G first string D's?

Matt Moore‏
@illiniFBGuru
Replying to @ACIlliniRyan
I watched one padded practice and George threw 7 picks in 15 minutes. Really not an option.
 
#62      

FiveStar

F
FiveStar
icengineer said:
I also saw him play a real game and put up the stats above. Granted he had two picks, but is that all that different from half a dozen 3 and outs in a game? He looked capable, he moved the chains, he put us in position to score.
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Depending on where they occur in field position, interceptions are significantly worse than 3 and outs.
 
#63      

RML

R
RML
I'm happy with Crouch starting, especially if thy are going to run him a bit. But when we're down three scores with 20 minutes left, and a Crouch-based scoring drive takes 8 minutes, you're pretty much conceding defeat by leaving him in. I know, Lovie assumes that we're going to get a couple turnovers. But I can't accept that assumption.
 
#64      

GoIllini23

GoIllini23
GoIllini23
So our entire plan is to have every position ready for 2019-2020, except QB. I have no idea who the QB will b, I don’t follow enough. Seems as though were betting an awful lot on that position being ready to go immediately. Why not get JGJr reps so we are certain to have an experienced guy on the roster.
 
#65      

IlliniRocketFan

IlliniRocketFan
Rochester, IL
IlliniRocketFan
GoIllini23 said:
So our entire plan is to have every position ready for 2019-2020, except QB. I have no idea who the QB will b, I don’t follow enough. Seems as though were betting an awful lot on that position being ready to go immediately. Why not get JGJr reps so we are certain to have an experienced guy on the roster.
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I can't understand, for the life of me, why JGJ wasn't put in after the last Neb score last night, or before. Were they worried that he might move the ball and add to the calls for Crouch to step aside? We have good, maybe great, receivers that are wasting away. What do prospective receivers think right now? Why would they chose ILL? Everyone talks about what a great team leader Crouch is and I believe it, but a truly great leader would go to the coach and say put in JGJ. That's leadership. Team first.
 
#66      

james81

J
North Carolina
james81
1.The WKU game raised our expectations too high.
2. I'm watching games, not expecting wins, but to see improvement. It's hard to see so far, but should come if Lovie can maintain morale, something fans have little patience for.
3. We are relying too much on Epstein and not enough on our best offensive players, Dudek and Turner. Of course, that's because Crouch doesn't have sufficient talent
4. A talented QB can elevate a weak team and, given some breaks, make it competitive. There is nothing that suggests we will be competitive this year. Time to reframe this season as one long training camp.
 
#67      

Custard

C
Custard
Illiini said:
But I saw iowa's packed house last week and today I heard that by the end there were more Nebraska fans than Illinois. Where are you guys? Sorry, I'm too far away but I'd be there if I could. You who can and aren't do t deserve a team that wins.
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You’re really going to lambaste us because Iowa (a solid program) was sold out for a game against a top 5 opponent, and we aren’t filling the stadium to watch a bad team play on a Friday night? A lot of us have a pretty decent drive to get there, have to get off work and line up a sitter and then scramble down there to even make kickoff.

After what we’ve been watching for years, I’d argue this program doesn’t deserve that kind of effort and expense. It’s the University of Illinois’ responsibility to offer a product that is worthy of the effort and money it takes to attend games, and frankly they haven’t been aside from the most hardcore of local fans and recipients of free tickets.
 
#68      

IlliniOllie

I
IlliniOllie
Custard said:
You’re really going to lambaste us because Iowa (a solid program) was sold out for a game against a top 5 opponent, and we aren’t filling the stadium to watch a bad team play on a Friday night? A lot of us have a pretty decent drive to get there, have to get off work and line up a sitter and then scramble down there to even make kickoff.

After what we’ve been watching for years, I’d argue this program doesn’t deserve that kind of effort and expense. It’s the University of Illinois’ responsibility to offer a product that is worthy of the effort and money it takes to attend games, and frankly they haven’t been aside from the most hardcore of local fans and recipients of free tickets.
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Let's make a list of college football programs that have been as bad as Illinois for as long as Illinois, and still draw massive crowds and sell out their stadium:

*crickets*

If anything, I'd say that the fact that we *do* draw as many fans as we do, after years of being repeatedly kicked in the rocks by athletic department incompetence and foolishness, is a testament to the loyalty of Illini fans by itself. And even after all that, the potential is clearly still there - we were close to a full house against UNC last year - but the program ultimately has to draw the fans with a winner to fill the stadium week in and week out.
 
#69      

EyeoftheIllini

EyeoftheIllini
EyeoftheIllini
Is there any chance that part of the reason they're sticking with Crouch is because he is the type of QB they want for their system, so playing him is allowing the entire offense to get game experience in that system? So, while George may help somewhat in the short-term, they just don't see him as a long-term option and would rather get the experience in the system as well as get Crouch more experience. It was painful watching Crouch on Friday night though.
 
#70      

Illiniguy13

Illiniguy13
Illiniguy13
EyeoftheIllini said:
Is there any chance that part of the reason they're sticking with Crouch is because he is the type of QB they want for their system, so playing him is allowing the entire offense to get game experience in that system? So, while George may help somewhat in the short-term, they just don't see him as a long-term option and would rather get the experience in the system as well as get Crouch more experience. It was painful watching Crouch on Friday night though.
Click to expand...

I think you make a valid point here. I don't doubt we'd be better off now with a QB who could pass, but this again comes back to our line. Our guards and especially tackles are not experienced enough to be consistent and effective pass blockers. For that matter, they are not effective run blockers, either. It's no secret we'll be going the dual threat route so IMO becoming competent run blockers is a priority. Our line needs reps to generate a push as a unit and to be able to put bodies on people in the backfield.
 
#71      

IlliniFisherman

I
MN
IlliniFisherman
EyeoftheIllini said:
Is there any chance that part of the reason they're sticking with Crouch is because he is the type of QB they want for their system, so playing him is allowing the entire offense to get game experience in that system? So, while George may help somewhat in the short-term, they just don't see him as a long-term option and would rather get the experience in the system as well as get Crouch more experience. It was painful watching Crouch on Friday night though.
Click to expand...

Then why not give Cam Thomas a shot? Are we really going to be relying on him 5 years from now? The only reason I can see for keeping his redshirt is that his truly not ready (size, experience, etc)
 
#72      

BRucks

BRucks
BRucks
Thomas is suspended

His absence has nothing to do with a redshirt.

IlliniFisherman said:
Then why not give Cam Thomas a shot? Are we really going to be relying on him 5 years from now? The only reason I can see for keeping his redshirt is that his truly not ready (size, experience, etc)
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#73      

Illinir1

Illinir1
Camdenton, MO
Illinir1
Burt Toast said:
Sometimes coaching staffs can install systems that make less talented players play at a higher level. And sometimes coaching staffs can take raw, younger talent and Coach them up to make them more competitive as a unit. Our coaching staff doesn't appear to be either - especially on the offensive side of the ball.
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Exactly. Hasn't Illinois Football been promoting that our coaching staff has the most NFL experience of any NCAA team? It isn't apparent on game day.
 
#74      

Illinir1

Illinir1
Camdenton, MO
Illinir1
IlliniRocketFan said:
I can't understand, for the life of me, why JGJ wasn't put in after the last Neb score last night, or before. Were they worried that he might move the ball and add to the calls for Crouch to step aside? We have good, maybe great, receivers that are wasting away. What do prospective receivers think right now? Why would they chose ILL? Everyone talks about what a great team leader Crouch is and I believe it, but a truly great leader would go to the coach and say put in JGJ. That's leadership. Team first.
Click to expand...

+1 :thumb:
 
#75      

kcib8130

kcib8130
Parts Unknown
kcib8130
IlliniRocketFan said:
I can't understand, for the life of me, why JGJ wasn't put in after the last Neb score last night, or before. Were they worried that he might move the ball and add to the calls for Crouch to step aside? We have good, maybe great, receivers that are wasting away. What do prospective receivers think right now? Why would they chose ILL? Everyone talks about what a great team leader Crouch is and I believe it, but a truly great leader would go to the coach and say put in JGJ. That's leadership. Team first.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was on board until the bolded portion.

"Coach, take me out, I can't do it."

We have ridiculed quite a few other players for quitting on the team in the past, now you're asking someone to do it? I'm not sure you understand how this all should work.