Northwestern 28, Illinois 10 Postgame
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Go Nats 88 Illini
Fairfax, VA
I think this should just about do it with regards to Lovie. I really like him but clearly we are now several steps below NW. And of course just about all of the Big Ten, as well. When Lovie came in, we were at least in the same ballpark, though behind. We are not in the same conversation now. Not sure who should follow, but this should about do it. We will lose players, probably lose verbal recruits as well... Just a layman, but this is a horrible look. Not sure the way forward, but the current path....well.
Don't let the door hit you on the way out, Lovie
Remember the Wisconsin and Michigan State games fourteen months ago? That was fun.
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mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
Sure seems like the public outcry to move on from Lovie has really picked up. At the very least it seems like Lovie is going to get administrative pressure to do a shakeup of the coaching staff.
But my stance is the same as after the 2018 season. Move on and hire Leipold as soon as you can. Dude can flat out win.
But my stance is the same as after the 2018 season. Move on and hire Leipold as soon as you can. Dude can flat out win.
TMC999
- Not Iowa
I don’t want to hear how beating 3 non-con cupcakes changes the story.
Every team had to deal with covid.
Ohio State wussed out... but would’ve beaten us 70-3.
We have enough talent to compete. But don’t.
Our recruiting is the same or arguably worse. NU has beaten us 6 straight times.
Heard enough?
Literally- what other evidence is needed?
Every team had to deal with covid.
Ohio State wussed out... but would’ve beaten us 70-3.
We have enough talent to compete. But don’t.
Our recruiting is the same or arguably worse. NU has beaten us 6 straight times.
Heard enough?
Literally- what other evidence is needed?
FinalFour88
- Charlotte, NC
We're not competitive with Northwestern. I really like Lovie, but if the top priority is to win, he needs to go. If winning's not the priority, then he can stay.
I blame in a way the Big 10 network for our failed football program. The revenue we get from that has rendered doing whatever it takes to build a great program (such as firing coaches) obsolete. We get paid no matter what. So where’s the urgency or incentive to do better?
I think if Illinois was solely responsible for their own revenue streams, you’d see a sense of urgency and accountability in the athletic dept bc. But there isn’t any. We are the Florida Marlins.
I think if Illinois was solely responsible for their own revenue streams, you’d see a sense of urgency and accountability in the athletic dept bc. But there isn’t any. We are the Florida Marlins.
I don't like quitters. Running the ball with enough time left for a miracle comeback was quitting in my book. You can't say you haven't seen miracle comebacks before. Why not take some shots down field in the last parts of the game? I don't doubt that Lovie knows how to coach, but lack of motivation and quitting are personal problems. It's time to move on from this. I've watched Jimmy V all week, the motivational speech, and the 30 for 30 special. Today, Lovie didn't laugh, Lovie didn't cry, and Lovie spent no time in thought. Can we please hire someone with some emotion on the sideline? All talk and no action has played it's course, and we need to think outside the box for this next hire.
FinalFour88
- Charlotte, NC
Even if you factor in three non-con wins, this is still a 5-7 team in what was expected to be a winning season. The only "excuse" you can say is that the Purdue game could have very well been a win with healthy (non-Covid) QBs. But that's no guarantee. Can't argue with any of your points here. All the evidence -- 6 years of it -- shows Lovie wouldn't average 6 wins a season going forward.
They ought to publish stats for missed tackles Early in the season the secondary was getting shredded. Now the the defensive. line is getting shredded.
Big Ten Record for Coach Smith 10 wins 32 defeats.
Big Ten Record for Coach Smith 10 wins 32 defeats.
FinalFour88
- Charlotte, NC
Minus the two championships.
TMC999
- Not Iowa
This is the ruler. Big ten record. You are not improving vs your peers. I don’t want to lean on beating UConn each year to get an invite to the FloMax Bowl.
Well we do have 2 BCS bowls
FinalFour88
- Charlotte, NC
I also noticed Beason not try to tackle or punch the ball out when he was literally right behind a guy at the 1 or 2 yard line in the first half. The TD got called back, but that right there told me there's no culture of "fight" in this program. For the next coaching search, Illinois needs to do everything they can to find a Pat Fitzgerald clone. He creates a culture, he fears no team, he gets the most out of his guys, he wins.
FinalFour88
- Charlotte, NC
That's actually a great point. But then we start talking about what happened in those two bowls. Neither was close.
Makes you think that we should actually practice tackling.
That was AWESOME!
Those games were both a blessing and a curse. Fun times yes, but the unfortunate thing is they probably saved Lovie's job. Looking back on it now, they would have been better served losing both.
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