Allen’s a good guy. Cares deeply about his guys
Pregame: Illinois at Indiana, Friday, September 2nd, 7:00pm CT, FS1
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Probably just a coincidence but my liver health has increased since Beckman left. My local liquor store owner is really concerned that BB makes Illini football great (respectable?) again
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
lol. Puts me in mind of Mike Royko. Wish I could find the entire passage concerning the puroported origin of "Hoosier" from the old compendium of his columns I have at home. Google Books has only the conclusion:
Boricua Illini
- Puerto Rico
Nahh... just tell your liquor store owner to start stocking up on the bubblies for celebrations and cut down on the cheap stuff that we all have been chugging to drown our sorrows.
I saw that one book has dropped the line to Indiana -2.5.
redwingillini11
White and Sixth
- North Aurora
A lot of betting models I've seen on Twitter and The Athletic seem to be saying Illinois +3 is a really good bet, and that at worst this should be a pick em game. So there is definitely movement in our direction and a good amount of respect that we likely should be considered the favorite.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
This truly would be a massive win. To be 2-0 with Virginia coming to town and effectively be playing for a 4-0 start (we BETTER beat Chattanooga) would just be so huge for this program's momentum. Additionally, it's just a big deal from a fan perspective ... we have only won our Big Ten road opener a few teams in the last 25+ years:
2018 - W 38-17 at Rutgers - made us 3-2 (1-1)
2011 - W 41-20 at Indiana - made us 6-0 (2-0) ... we'd make history and lose the next six!
2010 - W 33-13 at Penn State - made us 3-2 (1-1)
2007 - W 27-14 at Indiana - made us 3-1 (1-0)
2006 - W 23-20 at Michigan State - made us 2-3 (1-1) ... we'd lose every game after this, lol.
I'm getting oddly optimistic, and it's scaring me!
2018 - W 38-17 at Rutgers - made us 3-2 (1-1)
2011 - W 41-20 at Indiana - made us 6-0 (2-0) ... we'd make history and lose the next six!
2010 - W 33-13 at Penn State - made us 3-2 (1-1)
2007 - W 27-14 at Indiana - made us 3-1 (1-0)
2006 - W 23-20 at Michigan State - made us 2-3 (1-1) ... we'd lose every game after this, lol.
I'm getting oddly optimistic, and it's scaring me!
I'm not feeling real good about this game. If we were playing last year's Indiana team and coaching staff, I'd feel pretty good. I expect this to be a much improved Indiana team. I'm also pretty concerned about our run defense and pass rush, as others have mentioned. Hopefully my fears prove to be unfounded.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Don't be scared carbon unit.....We , the Ancient's have heeded pru's message for help this year for the FB team to be successful........Just relax and trust in us and pru.....pru is a very special carbon unit and we have already sent the binary codes necessary for the return of the Illini FB team to come back into prominence ................
This carbon unit needs some work.....Do not pay any attention to him.......................
As someone from the STL area can confirm. Hoosier is below redneck and hick.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Good info and good point..................
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Royko!!!
No clue how this one will go. I would guess it will be close but I also wouldn’t be surprised to see a blowout in either direction. It seems like every year there’s a really disappointing game early on (Virginia last year, Eastern Michigan, etc). Let’s not do that.
DaChief4ever
- Urbana
I'm concerned about our pass coverage. Toss in missed field goals, and it could be a long day.
SampsonRelpenk
- Edwardsville, IL
SP+ projects us to win by the skin of our teeth. I'd certainly take it!
I honestly think the line is off by 17 again. With a capable QB and better offensive coaching, a stifling defense and a game under their belts, I would bet Illini -14.
Illinivek23
- Gurnee
Bezalak is a pretty talented kid. And Indiana has been recruiting well the last few years. I am very hopeful our defense keeps us in the game and gives us a great shot at a W with our improved O
illini80
- Forgottonia
Interesting comments from Robert tonight on WDWS. Teams don’t often win their first true road game. Last time Illinois did was 2007. Dang that’s a looong time. The other interesting point from Tate, was almost half of Indiana’s starting line up is transfers. Not sure how many are new this year, but sounded like most of them. All this to say, it’s could be a tough game. I’m hoping Coach B can have them in the right mind set. Wish this one was at home because it’s such an important one for us. I still like our chances, but my confidence meter dropped slightly.
Pass coverage was pretty good Saturday. DBs we’re in the right spot majority of the game
Agreed. DBs earned very high PFF grades and really looked great most of the day. LBs and DL more of a concern for me.
IlliniSaluki
- IL metro east burbs of St. Louis
As someone else from the STL area on the IL side I too can confirm the confirmation that Hoosier is the lowest of the low on the ladder of Redneck, hick, hillbilly, country bumpkin ladder.
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