Pregame: Illinois at Indiana, Saturday, September 20th, 6:30pm CT, NBC
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PizzaHutParkingLot
- Vodice, Croatia
Bret's going to have the boys ready. Time to back up the preseason hype.
Was watching this game at a watch party, mostly neutral fans, a few Illini fans, two typically obnoxious hoowahs fans chirping all night.
This happens. Tails between their legs and sad pouty faces. We’re talking from ‘professional’ occupation types. Oh what joy to see them swallow.
The line hits Illini +7 at Ballys.
Word must’ve leaked out about the bad batch of pizza rolls that Luke got from the gas station.
Word must’ve leaked out about the bad batch of pizza rolls that Luke got from the gas station.
Then why are we ranked #9?
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Our resume based on last season’s wins, who we had coming back, and this season’s wins make us #9, but the predictive metrics have us in the 15-25 range, which is likely closer to where we’ll finish this season if I were to guess.
But I had the impression our rank resulted from a poll of NCAA coaches, taking in all available data and processing the totality of what’s known today with their professional expertise. Are they unaware of the predictive metrics? Or maybe they discount some of them and weigh intangible/insider factors? Silly geese.
Seriously, it’s data and models vs professional opinions. One thing is certain. We’re not lifted by our brand, like a 0-2 ND team. Teams like IU and Illinois have to earn it on the field.
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I’m pretty sure it’s just media voters.
What did ND do to IU in the playoff that made them look pedestrian?
IMHO, The phrase "garbage in, garbage out" applies to predictive metrics.
blackdog
- Champaign
Less than stellar? The front 4 has been the best part of the defense so far. 3rd in the conference in rusning ypg allowed and 4th in sacks.
OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
Old habits can die really hard. Resistance to change is a very real thing.
I’ve been one of those fans, but this feels a lot different. It feels more sustainable.
I honestly believe Illinois wins tonight, 35-31. We’re experienced and have a lot of players who are not going to be afraid of the environment and moment.
For my many decades of Illinois fandom, I’ve never had any particular dislike for Indinia football. I’ve reserved that energy for absolutely hating their basketball programs (I was a young teenager during the Knight years). Now, with their bball programs irrelevant, I’ve transferred that hatred over to Coach Google and can now admit that I want nothing more than a win today. By one point or fifty, I don’t care. I don’t think I can stomach the slobberfest Indinia would receive for winning. I hope to see a stadium full of tears and heartbreak for their fans on tv tonight. Please oh please!!!
pruman91
- interviewing new NL's daily....I really really am
howdy boys and girls.....just opened up after the Health Dept. Inspector gave a good to go report and a big I L L shout out...I gave him a loud I N I retort and we are ready to do some homestyle cooking like the Illini will cook tonight in loosier-land.....
today's music .............Jimi Hendrix..............Are You Experienced album.........Foxy Lady.....Fire.....Manic Depression.......
today's menu.........
Cignetti stew............blaise like his pressers / no taste like all things loosier's.....
Hemby hash browns.........fried to a crispy critter after being pounded flat.....
Mendoza mush .........the result of numerous sacks and bone jarring tackles....
cupcake scheduling cupcakes made from sycamore sap.........
todays guest chef...................
yum yum...................
BYOB
BYONL
Illini 41
loosiers 27
I don’t believe I’ve seen a single Hoosier fan predict a loss. We’ve got a good chance against these guys and I really love the optics from Bret’s perspective. He’s gonna have these guys fired up.
We start a little weak (as always), get a couple of key turnovers and turn the tide. This is the game that finally pulls the mask off of these teams.
Illinois 37 - IU 21. Lock it in.
We start a little weak (as always), get a couple of key turnovers and turn the tide. This is the game that finally pulls the mask off of these teams.
Illinois 37 - IU 21. Lock it in.
The pessimism here is insane.
If we start weak, we will lose this game. It's that simple.
Unless Illinois is firing on all cylinders from the get-go, this is not an easy game to win. I don't know why we keep trying to downplay Indiana...
The metrics clearly favor Indiana in this one, but I think the metrics are a little misleading because Bielema just doesn’t build his teams to blow out teams 66-0. Our game is ball control on offense, and not giving up big plays on defense. That style just isn’t going to produce the disparity in total yards and scoring that Indiana’s style does.
I’ve called out how we’ve given up too many TFLs and sacks so far, and I keep coming back to that deciding the game. If we limit negative plays, I think we will be able to string drives together and grind them down. If we give up negative plays like we did vs Duke I think we lose. Indiana won’t make mistakes like Duke and their offense is too explosive for us to have too many empty drives.
I feel like if we play how we’ve played so far this year, we likely lose by 2 touchdowns. But I feel like this team can play a lot better on both sides of the ball than we have so far. Can we find that for this game? I don’t know.
But a little perspective is in order. We are 3-0, with 3 very convincing wins including a P4 road win against a team that was receiving votes, and I feel like I’ve been underwhelmed so far. This is amazing! If we lose to Indiana, they are likely in the drivers seat for a playoff spot, so no shame in losing to a playoff contender in their house. As long as we stay relatively healthy, I think we are going to have a successful season (8+ wins), even if we fall short of the playoffs.
I’ve called out how we’ve given up too many TFLs and sacks so far, and I keep coming back to that deciding the game. If we limit negative plays, I think we will be able to string drives together and grind them down. If we give up negative plays like we did vs Duke I think we lose. Indiana won’t make mistakes like Duke and their offense is too explosive for us to have too many empty drives.
I feel like if we play how we’ve played so far this year, we likely lose by 2 touchdowns. But I feel like this team can play a lot better on both sides of the ball than we have so far. Can we find that for this game? I don’t know.
But a little perspective is in order. We are 3-0, with 3 very convincing wins including a P4 road win against a team that was receiving votes, and I feel like I’ve been underwhelmed so far. This is amazing! If we lose to Indiana, they are likely in the drivers seat for a playoff spot, so no shame in losing to a playoff contender in their house. As long as we stay relatively healthy, I think we are going to have a successful season (8+ wins), even if we fall short of the playoffs.
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