Pregame: Illinois at Indiana, Friday, September 2nd, 7:00pm CT, FS1

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#201      

blackdog

blackdog
Champaign
blackdog
One thing that was brought up in an interview I saw yesterday was how beneficial the early schedule is. Getting to start practice early and have a game before everyone else is nice, they did lose a day of prep before this game but hopefully made up for with the extra practice, they gain a day going into next week, then a bye week before a Thursday night game (normally would be a short week), which means a couple of extra days before having to face Wisconsin. Seems like a great setup for extra practice and recovery for the team before the schedule really takes off.
 
#202      

illiram11

illiram11
illiram11
This game will define the rest of our season. I believe this will be a statement game for the Illini. I want us to be underdogs every time, to light a fire inside of our guys to prove everyone wrong this season. We finally have the coaches and players in place that we have all craved for years.

Illini 35
Hosers 21
 
#203      

Battle89

Battle89
Battle89
altgeld88 said:
I'm with you. We have a real coach and a real staff. The recruiting void needs filling but I haven't felt this good about a coach and his potential since Mackovic.

BTW, that "30 years" thing stung. 30 years. Wow. My entire adulthood & small change. It's true, though it hurts. Am just thankful I was there in '88-'90 to see it.
Click to expand...
Not the first time I've posted this, but very painful how true (and unsustainable) this slogan was.
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#204      

sully

sully
sully
I wasn't aware that Bielema/Wisconsin scored 83 points on IU years back lol.

I had to look it up and it sure enough it was 83-20 beat down. It even made a reporter for the Indystar sports writer by the name of Terry Hutchens an opinion piece demanding Bielema apologize.:ROFLMAO:

here's just a snippet of this loosier's wimpy rant.

One man's opinion: Bielema owes Indiana an apology​

IndyStar Sports
sports@indystar.com
I decided to wait 24 hours before penning this blog.

I didn't want it to be reactionary. But the more I've thought about it, the more I just think that the 83 points that Wisconsin scored Saturday in its 83-20 victory over Indiana could and should have been avoided. It could have been a convincing 69-20 victory and everyone would have felt the same way about Wisconsin's domination and given the Badgers all of the necessary props.

But to go out of your way to embarrass a bunch of 18-22 year old kids? That wasn't right. And that's exactly how it played out.

Here's where I have a problem. When you're up 69-13 and you get the ball with 9:04 to play in the game, you run the ball every time. EVERY TIME
Passing isn't an option. I don't care if it's your second string quarterback or your fifth string quarterback. To tell you the truth, I think you should run the ball into the middle every time. If you don't, then it looks like you're trying to run it up. So what happened? James White (still in the game for reasons beyond belief) gained a total of four yards on first two carries, and then on third-and-6, second string quarterback Jon Budmayr hit Jared Abbrederis for 74 yards and a touchdown. Abbrederis had gotten behind Matt Ernest and the play was there.

76-13.

I completely understand a second-string quarterback wanting to air it out. But I don't understand a head coach in that situation allowing it to happen. There's just no point. Run the ball. Punt if you have to. But don't rub it in. Sixty-nine points was enough. Here's how Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema

explained that play.

www.indystar.com

One man's opinion: Bielema owes Indiana an apology

I decided to wait 24 hours before penning this blog.
www.indystar.com

I hope we drop 100 on the Loosiers tonight haha.

GO ILLINI!
 
#206      

altgeld88

altgeld88
Arlington, Virginia
altgeld88
sully said:
I wasn't aware that Bielema/Wisconsin scored 83 points on IU years back lol.

I had to look it up and it sure enough it was 83-20 beat down. It even made a reporter for the Indystar sports writer by the name of Terry Hutchens an opinion piece demanding Bielema apologize.:ROFLMAO:
Click to expand...
Oh, the outrage. What about Bo Schembechler v. Illinois? 70-21 in '81 & 69-13 in '86. Gary Moeller payback.

The Illini led 21-7 in that 1981 game in Ann Arbor in the first quarter. Tony Eason then got picked off four times. That loss prevented us from winning the BT title in what was Mike White's second season.
 
#208      

MaineIllini

M
MaineIllini
altgeld88 said:
Oh, the outrage. What about Bo Schembechler v. Illinois? 70-21 in '81 & 69-13 in '86. Gary Moeller payback.

The Illini led 21-7 in that 1981 game in Ann Arbor in the first quarter. Tony Eason then got picked off four times. That loss prevented us from winning the BT title in what was Mike White's second season.
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21-7, and going in for a fourth TD when the first interception happened. That’s when the wheels came off.
 
#210      

ChiefGritty

ChiefGritty
Chicago, IL
ChiefGritty
altgeld88 said:
Really? So you felt better about... whom since Mack departed? I have more optimism about BB than I did Turner. As for the rest... it's not even close.

Zook? Lasagna? LovieBear?
Click to expand...
Remember that time we went to the Rose Bowl? I mean the level of optimism now isn't even on the radar screen of where we were then, and for very good reason.

Every response you will have to that statement is just a post-hoc rationalization based on the way the Zook era fell apart, information that was unknown and unknowable at that time.

And you will say the EXACT same things about Bielema if it doesn't work out. And will say the EXACT same things about the next guy 13 games in.

And that's all just college sports, it's not just us. I just find it funny, is all, and as I become old and bitter I can't help but see through the hire-and-fire cycle.

The unique one was Beckman. There was a bit more positivity and hope for him than gets remembered (including from me, I confess), but a very significant part of the fanbase turned on him and never wavered within about three defensive series of his second game in charge.

Much more hope to glean from Bielema's Year 1. Tonight is a big next step along whatever path we are to travel. BEAT INDINIA
 
#211      

pruman91

pruman91
Paducah, Ky
pruman91
LFOD said:
Pru, I have confidence that in the end you'll do the right thing, and watch the Illini live.
Click to expand...
cwplus36.gif


My friend , you are probably right.....lol......................i was just thinking about this and the fact that watching the Illini on replay means I would miss Brian B.
and Martin O. and have to listen to some unknowns.........

Ah , the dilemma an Illini fanatic goes through to get his sport's fix.......

Was I really that transparent in my confliction remarks earlier ???...........................Go ahead , you can tell me ......I won't cry.....maybe get a little misty eyed
but.........................................................

cry01.gif



cry03.gif
 
#212      

AT6

A
AT6
sully said:
I wasn't aware that Bielema/Wisconsin scored 83 points on IU years back lol.

I had to look it up and it sure enough it was 83-20 beat down. It even made a reporter for the Indystar sports writer by the name of Terry Hutchens an opinion piece demanding Bielema apologize.:ROFLMAO:

here's just a snippet of this loosier's wimpy rant.

One man's opinion: Bielema owes Indiana an apology​

IndyStar Sports
sports@indystar.com
I decided to wait 24 hours before penning this blog.

I didn't want it to be reactionary. But the more I've thought about it, the more I just think that the 83 points that Wisconsin scored Saturday in its 83-20 victory over Indiana could and should have been avoided. It could have been a convincing 69-20 victory and everyone would have felt the same way about Wisconsin's domination and given the Badgers all of the necessary props.

But to go out of your way to embarrass a bunch of 18-22 year old kids? That wasn't right. And that's exactly how it played out.

Here's where I have a problem. When you're up 69-13 and you get the ball with 9:04 to play in the game, you run the ball every time. EVERY TIME
Passing isn't an option. I don't care if it's your second string quarterback or your fifth string quarterback. To tell you the truth, I think you should run the ball into the middle every time. If you don't, then it looks like you're trying to run it up. So what happened? James White (still in the game for reasons beyond belief) gained a total of four yards on first two carries, and then on third-and-6, second string quarterback Jon Budmayr hit Jared Abbrederis for 74 yards and a touchdown. Abbrederis had gotten behind Matt Ernest and the play was there.

76-13.

I completely understand a second-string quarterback wanting to air it out. But I don't understand a head coach in that situation allowing it to happen. There's just no point. Run the ball. Punt if you have to. But don't rub it in. Sixty-nine points was enough. Here's how Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema

explained that play.

www.indystar.com

One man's opinion: Bielema owes Indiana an apology

I decided to wait 24 hours before penning this blog.
www.indystar.com

I hope we drop 100 on the Loosiers tonight haha.

GO ILLINI!
Click to expand...
I have an Indiana buddy who still brings up this game. Needless to say, he doesn't think much of BB.
 
#213      

altgeld88

altgeld88
Arlington, Virginia
altgeld88
ChiefGritty said:
Remember that time we went to the Rose Bowl? I mean the level of optimism now isn't even on the radar screen of where we were then, and for very good reason.

Every response you will have to that statement is just a post-hoc rationalization based on the way the Zook era fell apart, information that was unknown and unknowable at that time.

And you will say the EXACT same things about Bielema if it doesn't work out. And will say the EXACT same things about the next guy 13 games in.

And that's all just college sports, it's not just us. I just find it funny, is all, and as I become old and bitter I can't help but see through the hire-and-fire cycle.

The unique one was Beckman. There was a bit more positivity and hope for him than gets remembered (including from me, I confess), but a very significant part of the fanbase turned on him and never wavered within about three defensive series of his second game in charge.

Much more hope to glean from Bielema's Year 1. Tonight is a big next step along whatever path we are to travel. BEAT INDINIA
Click to expand...
You're moving the goalposts. I wasn't talking about optimism several years after hiring a coach. I'm talking about ex ante optimism when the guy is hired and in the first couple years.

I recall watching us in '01 and thinking how completely wrong I might have been about Ron Turner (who'd had merely a single year as a head coach at San Jose State before bolting to the Bears) in '97. It occurred to me in '97 then that Tepper had driven us so far into the ditch that we couldn't even hire a credible former head coach or hotshot young assistant. Then, of course, after several seasons weaving on the shoulder and one actually on the asphalt, Turner ultimately drove us into the ditch, too.

I'm with you on ex post rationalization. As for your ad hominem slagging of me, lol. You have no idea what I will say about Bielema whether he succeeds or fails. Next time, just ask me. My answer would be as it always is in such matters: we could only project based on his track record and development before alighting in Champaign. And BB had a stronger track record upon hiring than anyone else who has had the job since Mackovic.

Unless he doesn't; if that's the case, please enlighten me. You didn't answer my question about whom, ex ante, greater optimism was justified going back to Tepper. Lasagna was an obvious fool. I didn't really care at the time what he'd done at Toledo. He was a buffoon.
 
#214      

superfan

superfan
superfan
blackdog said:
One thing that was brought up in an interview I saw yesterday was how beneficial the early schedule is. Getting to start practice early and have a game before everyone else is nice, they did lose a day of prep before this game but hopefully made up for with the extra practice, they gain a day going into next week, then a bye week before a Thursday night game (normally would be a short week), which means a couple of extra days before having to face Wisconsin. Seems like a great setup for extra practice and recovery for the team before the schedule really takes off.
Click to expand...
I feel the same way. The Week 0 game is a huge competitive advantage for all of the reasons you cite. I don’t see a single downside, besides the likelihood of late summer warm weather in Memorial Stadium. Having a game experience before a “Week 1” opponent is invaluable, as is the extra bye week during the season.
 
#216      

Wokker

Wokker
"The Good Land", WI
Wokker
ChiefGritty said:
I love the way people are able to lie to themselves like this.
Click to expand...
I didn’t love the hire, but feeling pretty good about the general direction of the program. Lots of false hope since 2008.

I will say obviously any fan you’d ask in 2001 or 2007 would feel pretty damn good about the program.

This is the best I’ve felt since 2011 for sure. But then, that’s a very low bar.
 
#217      

orange100

orange100
time to hop on the wife
orange100
Tonight is going to be a very tough game. Indiana is no slouch.
 
#218      

ChiefGritty

ChiefGritty
Chicago, IL
ChiefGritty
altgeld88 said:
You didn't answer my question about whom, ex ante, greater optimism was justified going back to Tepper.
Click to expand...
Your use of the word "justified" gives the game away. "Ex ante" and "justified" are working at cross-purposes.

But to be mildly less pedantic about it, at the moment of hiring the most optimism we've had for a coach is Lovie by a country mile.

At this exact moment, game 2 of year 2, Bielema is much closer to the top, but it's still probably Zook because of the recruiting (he's behind Lovie too, lots of willful forgetting about what 2016 and 2017 were like). And for anything beyond the 2006 Ohio State game where we gave the #1 team in the country and the eventual Heisman Trophy winner all they could handle at MS, in the same week the #1 WR in the nation committed to us, it's Zook easily.

Anyway, this is an inconvenient moment to have this conversation. In 8 days and 6 hours it is very possible Bielema is much more reasonably in the conversation with Zook optimism-wise, like it could really really really be happening. It is also possible that an unhappy end is suddenly already very squarely in sight. As always, the likeliest option is somewhere in the middle.

BEAT. INDINIA.
 
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#219      

Illinois_2_AZ

Illinois_2_AZ
Illinois_2_AZ
I was watching one pre-game show that said Indiana's OL is the worst in the Big Ten. If that's true, I can see Randolph, Avery, Hart, etc in the backfield all night long. I also think we open up the offense more than last week and Hightower has a huge night. Give me ILLINI 23- Indiana 14.
 
#221      

GILL-INOIS

G
GILL-INOIS
superfan said:
I feel the same way. The Week 0 game is a huge competitive advantage for all of the reasons you cite. I don’t see a single downside, besides the likelihood of late summer warm weather in Memorial Stadium. Having a game experience before a “Week 1” opponent is invaluable, as is the extra bye week during the season.
Click to expand...
Exactly! I actually think we have a great early schedule through Chattanooga until we get to straight Big Ten play vs Wisconsin.

Week 0 we got a week under our belts, ton of recruits in and had a huge win.

We play @Indiana (most recruits play Friday nights and away game) and get prime time exposure at 7pm CT on FS1. National exposure when majority of the games played tonight are double digit spreads. Hopefully we run away with this game and I might be biased but think this is probably the headline game on the schedule today unless you want to say TCU vs Colorado at 9pm on ESPN. Not mind sharing that spotlight with a 2 hour difference between games.

Virginia at 3PM CT on a Saturday on ESPNU is fine with me. Alabama vs Texas at 11 and have a spread of games at 230-3 time. Ton of games in this area and think this will be our toughest game going into Wisconsin game.

Next up is Chattanooga and have 12 days between Virginia and this game. Only 3 college football games on this day and should be the most lackluster one. Same time others start at 630 and we start at 730. Few local recruits might show up plus time to watch on BTN. That gives us another 9 days between this game and facing Wisconsin. Playing at Wisconsin but they also travel to Ohio St the week before us. After Virginia game we will have tons of time to add schemes and get guys healthy. Best case scenario we get McCray back in time for Wisconsin.
 
#222      

altgeld88

altgeld88
Arlington, Virginia
altgeld88
ChiefGritty said:
Your use of the word "justified" gives the game away. "Ex ante" and "justified" are working at cross-purposes.

But to be mildly less pedantic about it, at the moment of hiring the most optimism we've had for a coach is Lovie by a country mile.

At this exact moment, game 2 of year 2, Bielema is much closer to the top, but it's still probably Zook because of the recruiting (he's behind Lovie too, lots of willful forgetting about what 2016 and 2017 were like). And for anything beyond the 2006 Ohio State game where we gave the #1 team in the country and the eventual Heisman Trophy winner all they could handle at MS, in the same week the #1 WR in the nation committed to us, it's Zook easily.

Anyway, this is an inconvenient moment to have this conversation. In 8 days and 6 hours it is very possible Bielema is much more reasonably in the conversation with Zook optimism-wise, like it could really really really be happening. It is also possible that an unhappy end is suddenly already very squarely in sight. As always, the likeliest option is somewhere in the middle.

BEAT. INDINIA.
Click to expand...
It's not difficult for you to be mildly less pedantic about it. You're grasping at straws here. Ex ante projections must by definition be justified based on a track record, or they're just SWAGs.

As for Lovie, we differ substantially. To me it seemed the best we could do in March that year, with a brand new AD, tog et rid of Cubit. Everyone else in the conference, however, laughed at us. Lovie 10 years earlier? I can see that. Lovie in 2016? No. Too old, it seemed ot me, and nothing I could see he had to prove.

I do, however, agree wholeheartedly with: BEAT. INDINIA. Early and often.

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#223      

ChiefGritty

ChiefGritty
Chicago, IL
ChiefGritty
superfan said:
I feel the same way. The Week 0 game is a huge competitive advantage for all of the reasons you cite. I don’t see a single downside, besides the likelihood of late summer warm weather in Memorial Stadium. Having a game experience before a “Week 1” opponent is invaluable, as is the extra bye week during the season.
Click to expand...
Them having tape on us but us not having tape on them is a pretty significant downside. I think it's a mixed bag.
 
#224      

ptgrd23

ptgrd23
ptgrd23
We should be able to win at Bloomington. No turnovers. Run the ball. Don't give up the big play.

IU was BAAD last year (2-9, 0-8 B10). It was like Lovie was coaching them.

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