Northwestern 42, Illinois 7 POSTGAME
BZuppke
- Plainfield
The gap between Iowa down to us is not that great. It looks to be a big gap because of the youth, lack of QB as a strength and the newness of the Lovie regime. We had two kickoffs to midfield and went backwards - no points. We gave up 14 points on three plays. More experienced players, much better qb play and the gap will close quickly. The hardest part will be trying to break into the top 5 or 6.
Separately I believe we’re going to have a great defense in the next year or two.
Separately I believe we’re going to have a great defense in the next year or two.
I really don’t understand the doom in this thread. Every game they throw up the stats - we not only start the most Freshman in the country, it’s by a country mile down to 2nd place. You simply can’t start Frosh across the line of scrimmage in Power 5 football and expect to win anything. Every game (minus OSU) basically had the same script: we start fine and then just get worn down into a pulp. We have no depth because the younger guys that usually provide it are starting. That said, I saw some really encouraging play from a lot of young guys. We’ll be better next year and MUCH better two years from now
I can't get myself to feel hopeful before 2020. Even then I'm struggling to set realistic expectations. Should I be happy with 8-4? Not a B1G Championship contender, but maybe a bowl I could stomach watching? I'm confident in Lovie, but I'm just soured by years of mediocrity...at best.
Maybe I'm just jaded, but I feel like it would be so Illinois to get good only to have the University/NCAA decide it no longer wishes to participate in football, lol.
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You can't understand or won't try to understand?
1. It's the product on the field and the exhaustion from the "next year will be better" mantra.
2. We are all fans here but we haven't been nationally relevant in a decade in either sport.
3. We've also seen bad schemes offensively and not much willingness to change our play calling
4. Most importantly, we aren't even close to being competitive.
5. Teams like Purdue, IU, Rutgers, and Minnesota are moving upward. We are even less competitive than KU right now.
If the games were closer, we saw something more consistent from our offense, we saw better players especially at QB and game changing recruits coming in, there might be less doom and gloom.
I think most of us see that, at best, we could be competitive and maybe bowl in two years. That's just a hard pill to swallow with no guarantee.
Deleted member 4333
D
Guest
Yes. that would be major progress.
This 1000 times. This is in no way a slam on the Marching Illini, but when more people in the stands are talking about the band than the football team something is drastically wrong! I love the Marching Illini, they’re great, but they should be the side attraction not the main attraction. Also, the event staff just is not very friendly. From the woman who yelled at people for being on the wrong side if they had East Balcony tickets to the lady who yelled at me for pressing the elevator button more than once, it did feel like a prison. Good Lord, college athletics especially college football is supposed to be fun. It’s not about being fun-sponges, it’s about passion and pageantry. This program has lost it’s swagger and it’s way in general. I told someone today it lost it’s way when John Makovic left and Tepper took over. It’s the Lou Tepper curse. If he doesn’t fire Landry, Chris Redman comes to Illinois, probably becomes an Illini legend and we continue our success that Mackovic had going. Instead Landry was fired, Redman went to Louisville and Tepper forgot that you need more than defense to win games. After that we had limited success, Turner and Zook couldn’t capitalize on their successful years and now Beckman set us back probably 5-6 years. I hope Whitman does something to bring some excitement to the game day experience because it just flat out sucks right now. Sorry for the ramble. End soap box.
Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
I'm sorry, but that statement indicates a detachment from reality. If you don't understand the doom in this thread, then you haven't been an Illini fan for very long. I agree with almost everything people have said about how many freshman played this year, etc. I predicted a 2-10 season before it started. But a lot of huge things need to happen before the program gets better. The players here now need to develop significantly. Recruiting needs to improve significantly. A bonna-fide big ten qb needs to arrive on campus. If they have a two or three win season next year, is the excuse going to be "Well, they are all just sophomores." That's not going to be good enough.
Illiini
- In the land of the Nittany Lion
There are good things happening somewhat behind the scenes now, some things in plain sight for those who know where to look, and some that I'm semi-aware of but not fully at liberty to reveal, and some that I know is going on but don't know the details. There will be changes...but if things go as I believe they will, you're going to love it.
Josh is on the case. Remember, he's Illini. He bleeds Orange and Blue, and he knows where our heart is because his is there too. Keep the faith.
I hope so and don't doubt that he is on it.
The original poster was spot on though. In general, the gameday staff at MS are really unfriendly. Has been this way since I started going to games in early 90's.
Not ALL of course, but some are rude/indifferent enough that they are the ones that they are the ones that end up making the impression on behalf of the entire staff. It can leave a really bad taste when you are spending your time and money to support a team that's so overmatched on the field. Some Disney customer service training would help!
BZuppke
- Plainfield
Illinois football is the sport I hold the most passion for. A student of the 1980s, I experienced the modern high point under White and Mackovic. It’s natural for us to feel hopelessness after yet another disappointing season, but these are emotions. No program ever has realized instant success. We can only have faith that the current leadership is building something we will be proud of. It is going to take time. No one knows for sure but I will say I have more faith in Josh and Lovie than I did in any previous regime since the 1980s.
Illinivek23
- Gurnee
The progress doesn't feel good, but seems very logical. Will be interesting to see how Lovie develops "his" recruits in the off-season (strength gains, weight loss, skill development). I'm excited to see Oladipo and Green in the mix next year as well. Our D will be on yyhe cruise with more depth and experience in this scheme. Gay st 240# would be a monster physically if he maintains his burst.
I also think bringing in a grad Transfer QB would be great, as productivity from that pos validates the entire scheme as well as greatly impacts the ability to recruit WRs.
Illinir1
- Camdenton, MO
Lol. I was thinking exactly this yesterday. I'm already prepared for next year's weekly press and game coverage statistics that "The Illini are playing by far the most Sophomores of any team in the country." And I'm sure it will be true. But it would be nice if it wasn't in justification for a poor record.
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
To me, the people who can't/won't understand aren't looking at things objectively and understanding how we got here.
You can't expect the product of a bunch of frosh to be the same as older players and with the rash of injuries we've sustained this season.
Ron Guenther and UIUC administration. If you need more details on that there are many posters here (including myself) that would be happy to oblige.
With a team that young you have to have a very limited playbook. It's a reality, and it's even seen in the pros--rookie QBs typically work with a limited set of plays until they have their feet under them. Not to beat the horse, but injuries, especially to Epstein and Dudek, move guys up to #1 on the depth chart that weren't ready.
Again, the youngest team in D1. No reasonable expectations could be set at "competitive." Again, look at our injury reports week to week.
Have I mentioned that we're the youngest team in D1? ALL of the teams you mention are far more experienced this year.
Lovie's sole recruit at QB is the one showing the greatest upside and engineered the most exciting offensive series (of both teams) yesterday.
We could be competitive next year with solid development and fewer injuries. That's football--there are never anything close to guarantees unless your coach's name is Saban.
This. QB play would have helped us alot. Many don't realize what a good QB can do to make a terrible team look decent
Think they were kicking away from dre brown. He had a couple returns to the midfield area. Teams used to do it to devin Hester too.
You're a year younger than me. Those were some rough years. Bring on the sophomores! *sigh*
Next year hinges on our offense improving in all three phases. McGee has no excuses next year he has Cam on campus And Rivers and Taylor coming in. Some solid receivers in Smalling and Green and potential Pro TE in Louis Dorsey. Defense will be good soon. I watched every game this year and my take away was they wore down a lot because of the inept offense. Yesterday was a perfect example they were holding NW down early. But offense wasn't giving nothing. Eventually those runs started to break.
My biggest concern is recruiting. Lovie and staff id good solid players with low rankings. There is no doubt several or almost all of the freshmen played well above their ranking. We need another recruiting year last year with gradual improvements. Wouldn't mind some grad and JC transfers for depth and impact.
To whom?
It isn't easy finding anyone to give them to. Heck, you can find hundreds of ticket holders tailgating in Grange Grove or the parking lots. They have paid for tickets but prefer a rousing game of bags to going into the stadium.
It isn't easy finding anyone to give them to. Heck, you can find hundreds of ticket holders tailgating in Grange Grove or the parking lots. They have paid for tickets but prefer a rousing game of bags to going into the stadium.
FT35
- Naperville
I went to the game yesterday and am still kind of reeling from the loss. I didn't expect to win and was beyond thrilled with the way the 1st Quarter unfolded. The guys around me were really into the game and were there cheering until things really got out of hand. Unlike a lot of people who get angry at the results on the field, I just get sad. It's so hard to see us getting to a point where we all want to be at this point but things will get better.
This is one of Jeremy Werner's best articles by the way and I'd recommend those who are bailing on this program read it. It made me feel a lot better about making the 6 hour round trip to the games this season:
https://247sports.com/college/illin...-of-Illini-footballs-north-end-zone-111127331
I actually liked what I saw from Thomas yesterday. In addition to his blinding speed, he has the arm strength to be a B1G QB. This is one thing I wasn't really expecting from him coming into the season. Yeah, his decision making is poor at times and he's still learning how to run a B1G offense but he has all the tools to succeed. Throwing the ball downfield he was a bit off, but I hope another set of Spring practices along with Fall Training camp can get him in more sync with the #1 WRs. The transfer from Appalachian State will be here in January so hopefully he is healthy and ready to go by the Spring. One of the things he talked about when he announced transferring here is mentoring Dorsey and Smalling.
This is where coaching (Thomas improving) comes into play and it's got to improve on the Offensive side of the ball. I love listening to McGee interviews as he is quite entertaining and he comes across as very likeable. However, we need to see results on the field. I also know Butkus bleeds orange and blue and the OL was as grossly inexperienced as I've ever seen at Illinois but we have to improve next year.
I liked Dorsey out of the slot. Maybe keep him there? We've seen that he can be an amazing playmaker as a receiver. He really is match up nightmare from opposing teams. Walker (a walk-on) took a lot of snaps at TE from what I could see from the stands. I just don't know how much strength Dorsey can gain in 9-10 months. I really hope Echard can get a 6th year as he was/is the best blocker on the roster. If not him, maybe Barker is an option but all of the Senior tape had him lining up out of the slot. I didn't see one block in his highlights.
Carmoni Green made another horrific mistake on a hold that wasn't even necessary which wiped out Brown's potential 1st career touchdown. You can see the talent/speed from him and you'd like to chalk his up to Freshman mistakes, but it doesn't help that some of his mistakes have been glaringly bad.
Odebingo will probably be out for the first half the Kent State game just like Green was out of the first half of this year's Ball State game. They may just end up suspending him for a few games as well, and it is deserved. Gay was also getting chippy yesterday and came very close to getting tossed from what I could see. I can understand the frustration but I don't like to see this as a fan.
Let's get on the recruiting trail while other teams are preparing for bowl games and/or scrambling to find coaches. I see Kansas State offered Petersen so let's just hope he remembers where his first D1 offer came from. When we offered him he didn't even have an FCS offer.
This is one of Jeremy Werner's best articles by the way and I'd recommend those who are bailing on this program read it. It made me feel a lot better about making the 6 hour round trip to the games this season:
https://247sports.com/college/illin...-of-Illini-footballs-north-end-zone-111127331
I actually liked what I saw from Thomas yesterday. In addition to his blinding speed, he has the arm strength to be a B1G QB. This is one thing I wasn't really expecting from him coming into the season. Yeah, his decision making is poor at times and he's still learning how to run a B1G offense but he has all the tools to succeed. Throwing the ball downfield he was a bit off, but I hope another set of Spring practices along with Fall Training camp can get him in more sync with the #1 WRs. The transfer from Appalachian State will be here in January so hopefully he is healthy and ready to go by the Spring. One of the things he talked about when he announced transferring here is mentoring Dorsey and Smalling.
This is where coaching (Thomas improving) comes into play and it's got to improve on the Offensive side of the ball. I love listening to McGee interviews as he is quite entertaining and he comes across as very likeable. However, we need to see results on the field. I also know Butkus bleeds orange and blue and the OL was as grossly inexperienced as I've ever seen at Illinois but we have to improve next year.
I liked Dorsey out of the slot. Maybe keep him there? We've seen that he can be an amazing playmaker as a receiver. He really is match up nightmare from opposing teams. Walker (a walk-on) took a lot of snaps at TE from what I could see from the stands. I just don't know how much strength Dorsey can gain in 9-10 months. I really hope Echard can get a 6th year as he was/is the best blocker on the roster. If not him, maybe Barker is an option but all of the Senior tape had him lining up out of the slot. I didn't see one block in his highlights.
Carmoni Green made another horrific mistake on a hold that wasn't even necessary which wiped out Brown's potential 1st career touchdown. You can see the talent/speed from him and you'd like to chalk his up to Freshman mistakes, but it doesn't help that some of his mistakes have been glaringly bad.
Odebingo will probably be out for the first half the Kent State game just like Green was out of the first half of this year's Ball State game. They may just end up suspending him for a few games as well, and it is deserved. Gay was also getting chippy yesterday and came very close to getting tossed from what I could see. I can understand the frustration but I don't like to see this as a fan.
Let's get on the recruiting trail while other teams are preparing for bowl games and/or scrambling to find coaches. I see Kansas State offered Petersen so let's just hope he remembers where his first D1 offer came from. When we offered him he didn't even have an FCS offer.
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Illiini
- In the land of the Nittany Lion
Right, Dre. Still, I've seen a lot of star kick returners that were, while not kicked directly to, didn't have this slider or whatever you want to call it. Or did they just hope that, Illinois being Illinois, we'd find some way to fumble the ball away. It still evokes a "huh?" for me.