Pregame: Illinois at Indiana, Saturday, September 20th, 6:30pm CT, NBC

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#676      
Brosky
As much as I'd like to see us win, I just can't. Indiana is a good team playing at home in front of a sellout crowd. Hoosiers 34, Illini 20.
 
#677      
Todd99
STLini25 said:
I respect naming other games. My point was if we beat Indiana we aren’t just a top 10 team in 2025. We are putting ourselves in a position that if you ranked the current top 15 programs in the country that you are going to have to name Illinois.

There aren’t many games in our history that has been true and there are none that if we win we are putting ourselves in a strong position to make the CFP. Winning creates more winning and I think we are entering that world with a win against Indiana.

Not to mention an opportunity to be on a 10 game winning streak (say that again) playing #1 OSU who would also be on a 10 game winning streak (the two longest active streaks) in what would be without a doubt the #1 game in Illinois history and a shot to be the #1 team in the country and be able to play for an undefeated season.

My point isn’t that all of those things will happen. Only that this is a very special time in Illinois football and the Indiana game would be a huge win and cause a lot more of very special moments this fall.
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I think when you truly have consistent and sustained success, you'll be surprised how many huge games we will play in.
 
#682      
Curbelo Fanboy
Not calling a win but our guy Bert is 16-4 against the spread on the road as an Illini coach. I don't gamble much but saw the state. Given the spread might touch 7 at most, an Illini cover most likely means they win (or at worst a close loss). I think I'll ride with that guy. He has consistently demonstrated we just don't get blown out on the road very often. Only 2 at Illinois so far. Even last year at PSU, we were clearly the lesser team but somehow, someway it was a one score game late in the 3rd/early 4th. And had we not thrown away points right before the half it was a dead even game.

It's not always super pretty but he just seems to find a way to stay in games.
 
#683      
pruman91
anyone know if the line has changed from 6......?
 
#685      
Huggies5
Someone please talk me off the ledge! The line moved from 4.5 to 6.5. It makes no sense why Illinois should be a 6.5-point underdog. If I had no emotional attachment to this game, I would bet on Indiana assuming the sharp bettors and odds makers know more than me.
 
#686      
redwingillini11
Man, I just can't believe this line. I'm just a stupid fan but it seems crazy to think that Indiana is a TD better than us. Yes, I get that it's within the realm of possibility that they get out to a lead and pull away from us. But this seems to be exactly where we were with Nebraska last year. If I wasn't in-state I would place money on us to cover. Instead, I'll just hope and pray we can make a lot of people look really foolish for doubting us.
 
#688      
Pikeillinifan
Huggies5 said:
Someone please talk me off the ledge! The line moved from 4.5 to 6.5. It makes no sense why Illinois should be a 6.5-point underdog. If I had no emotional attachment to this game, I would bet on Indiana assuming the sharp bettors and odds makers know more than me.
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My impression is that Indiana has a high-powered offense, is very, very well coached, and has a very well-built roster.

Couple that with the fact that we are on the road and didn't stop Duke as much as they stopped themselves, and we've started really slow. Not to mention, our offensive line has not played well, at least in the first half of games. Oh, and X is out, which doesn't help matters.

I really think if we can stop them or limit them on the first 2-3 possessions, we'll be in good shape for a tight game. But if they come out and get a quick TD or two, it could be a long day.

This is one of those games (at least in the Coach B era) where I see a tough, challenging game for us, but we come out and play well and things come together - and I hope that's the case.

Think back to Penn State last year, I thought they would throttle us, but we were in it and had a chance to tie late. And I don't think Indiana is as good as Penn State, at least not on paper/talent-wise.

I can't wait for it; it should be a good one.
 
#689      
Yost
Pikeillinifan said:
My impression is that Indiana has a high-powered offense, is very, very well coached, and has a very well-built roster.

Couple that with the fact that we are on the road and didn't stop Duke as much as they stopped themselves, and we've started really slow. Not to mention, our offensive line has not played well, at least in the first half of games. Oh, and X is out, which doesn't help matters.

I really think if we can stop them or limit them on the first 2-3 possessions, we'll be in good shape for a tight game. But if they come out and get a quick TD or two, it could be a long day.

This is one of those games (at least in the Coach B era) where I see a tough, challenging game for us, but we come out and play well and things come together - and I hope that's the case.

Think back to Penn State last year, I thought they would throttle us, but we were in it and had a chance to tie late. And I don't think Indiana is as good as Penn State, at least not on paper/talent-wise.

I can't wait for it; it should be a good one.
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I think the Penn State is a good comp for thinking about. I kept waiting for that game to turn into a blowout and it just never did.

In our favor, Indiana is not 2024 Penn State. Going against us is that Cignetti is not Franklin.
 
#694      
cuillini
Indy Illini Fan said:
The salad bar being gone sucks … But let’s be real … People come for the BEEF … Honorable mention for the rolls … 😎

It’s still ELITE …
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What!!! No salad bar??? They have the best croutons anywhere. Damn....
 
#695      
skyIdub
Everyone breathe, we haven’t seen the full defensive playbook yet. Same with the offense.
No X is brutal, but the bowl game vs SC showed me something.
This staff can game plan. 👊🏼🧡

Edit: on second thought, don’t breathe these toxic Loosier fumes in here.
Don your emergency Orange Kool Aid mask!
 
#698      
kyillinifan
You will see the best of Luke. Want to see Kaeden do his magic on the ground. Go Illini. Win tomorrow night.
 
#699      
MajorNathanMaxwellJanice
Pikeillinifan said:
My impression is that Indiana has a high-powered offense, is very, very well coached, and has a very well-built roster.

Couple that with the fact that we are on the road and didn't stop Duke as much as they stopped themselves, and we've started really slow. Not to mention, our offensive line has not played well, at least in the first half of games. Oh, and X is out, which doesn't help matters.

I really think if we can stop them or limit them on the first 2-3 possessions, we'll be in good shape for a tight game. But if they come out and get a quick TD or two, it could be a long day.

This is one of those games (at least in the Coach B era) where I see a tough, challenging game for us, but we come out and play well and things come together - and I hope that's the case.

Think back to Penn State last year, I thought they would throttle us, but we were in it and had a chance to tie late. And I don't think Indiana is as good as Penn State, at least not on paper/talent-wise.

I can't wait for it; it should be a good one.
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So, couple things.

That Penn St game was -17 pts at kickoff. ML was -1000

Played at night in Happy Valley before 109,000.

On a night where Franklin from the podium called for “white out energy”.

Regarding Duke, are you suggesting that when Jacas and Heckel each chopped the ball away from his highness Mensah on effort plays from behind, that those were actually examples of Duke stopping themselves?

I guess same goes for Bailey putting a perfect Peanut Punch on the sideline fumble? Right? Just butter fingers ball carrier? Oopsy. 🤷🏻‍♂️

C’ mon.
 
#700      
QueenCityIllini
The fear in this thread is quite concerning. Where is the faith? I truly believe that we have a very competent coaching staff and I believe our players are well disciplined... This is going to be an absolute rock fight no doubt but I have lived by the mantra that, the best quarterback and the best coach will win you most games in the B1G. Yes, losing X was massive however... I believe we have depth to compete and as long as every single person on that team, does their job and their job only. I believe we walk out of Bloomington bruised and confident.
 
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