Paddock needs to start and get just as much leash as Luke has had all year. Paddock had a bad first series against Indiana but then rallied and took us down the field for some scores on the next few possessions. He then had one of the worst interceptions I have ever seen. Never heard what the heck happened there. Then he threw for two more touchdowns before half. If Luke had been available and we had pulled Paddock we would never have seen his ability to put those plays behind him and dial in to pick the Indiana defense apart for 400 more yards. I've seen Luke Altmeyer's best and John Paddock's best. Paddock's best is better.
Pregame: Illinois at Iowa, Saturday, November 18th, 2:30pm CT, FS1
- Status
Yep, this was me after his first pass couldn't even reach the feet of Williams. He had all week to practice that throw and didn't come close. So, I went all in on Dr. Pepper.
Dr Pepper TV Spot, 'Fansville: Overreaction' Featuring Brian Bosworth
This week on a heartbreaking Fansville: Dr Pepper fans unite during a State football game, but when the crowd favorite has a run of bad luck, the whole party erupts with despair. As the house is awash with grief, attendants start knocking over cans of Dr Pepper, changing the channel, throwing...
If I were BB and I am not I would start Paddock because he has a hot hand. As I posted on Saturday he throws a very catchable ball. What did Penn State do to Ia that trounced them? Just play def.
Whatever happens these guys will be good with it and will help one another out during the game and rest of the season. Paddocks grandfather was playing when I first started taking interest in UI football. What a receiver. He was much faster than his grandson. That gene did not get passed down, but his Type A persona and decision-making ability surely did.
chiefini
- Rockford, Illinois
I keep thinking of Luke just coming off a concussion with that powerful Iowa defense coming at him hard. I mean, he’s not going to be even cleared to actually practice until midweek. What, does that give him all of three days to get back into game shape? I’m not sure a possible ‘W’ here is worth taking the chance that he could get really hurt for next season when we’re REALLY going to need him then…
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
If you combined our offense with Iowa’s defense, would that be a playoff team?
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
Absolutely.
Driving there from C-U with the family, meeting my nephew who is a Senior at Iowa. Should be fun. Go Illini! Section 130
BZuppke
- Plainfield
I would love to be at the game but unfortunately my college friends and I made a pact (in 1984), never to travel to Iowa including flying over their airspace. I’ll be in my tree stand less than 25 miles from the border watching the game on Hulu (on my iphone) and probably not seeing the monster buck walk by me.
Good luck.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
I've been known to do that a time or three. Bring your IPad, it makes for a better viewing experience.
I like that pact.
I’m not sure how far deer roam, but I assume you’ll do your best to avoid Iowa-tainted venison.
BZuppke
- Plainfield
Good call. We do an intelligence test on them so it’s pretty easy to tell if they’re from Iowa.
Mr. Tibbs
- southeast DuPage
pretty sure Bret will avoid any discussion about who is to start until gametime. He has no reason to .
I do think he goes with the hot hand in Paddock, and has Luke warmed up and ready should something happen he doesnt like .
All we need to beat those guys is 25 points , maybe less
I do think he goes with the hot hand in Paddock, and has Luke warmed up and ready should something happen he doesnt like .
All we need to beat those guys is 25 points , maybe less
In a tight game where we aren't finding very much space and not moving the ball, Luke's legs might win us the game.
It gives Iowa's defense something else to think about, and could give us some more first downs when nobody is open.
It gives Iowa's defense something else to think about, and could give us some more first downs when nobody is open.
You always, always start the hot hand. We still have a chance at the Big Ten West. This is a no-brainer, and am extremely disappointed the coaches have not announced Paddock as the starter yet. Call me an idiot if you want to, but with Paddock in, Penn State was extremely winnable. Luke made several mistakes.
I know he is the Future, but this is the Present.
I know he is the Future, but this is the Present.
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
Way late on this list, but here are the ten takeaways:
(no number) I'm going to stay out of the Paddock - Altmyer opinion because it's becoming toxic. It stinks that fans (collectively) can take a positive and make it such a sore spot. These are the moments where Bielema has to make the best decision for the program. I'm comfortable with either guy starting on Saturday. That said, whoever starts, remember they will be facing the best defense in CFB.
1. The two comments about Paddock - Altmyer that warrant mentioning: (1) turnover-worthy throws - seeing lots of comments about how Paddock's game right now is excellent (uh, it is), but that he isn't putting the ball at risk at the same level as Altmyer. Paddock's turnover-worthy throw percentage (5.3%) is much higher than Altmyer's (3.1%). Not great when you're about to face Cooper DeJean and the #1 defense. (2) Average depth of target - Paddock: 12.8. Altmyer: 7.9 yards. Five yards is a massive difference. Paddock is finding guys and putting them in a position to be successful (also helps when Indiana blows a couple coverages). Another big reason for that depth of target...
2. That had to be the best offensive line performance for the team since '22 NW game. Crisler seems fully back to solid/above-average Big Ten guard. Pearl had one of his best games of the season. Kreutz had his best run blocking game of the season. Whitenack had a solid performance in small sample size. Boyer and Arkin have established themselves as good blocking TEs. Same for Henderson. PFF's pass blocking grades are okay, but disappointing after watching the game. Paddock wasn't really pressured until the last series of regulation and the OT drive, so not sure what else they needed to do. Because the run game was also BACK....
3. Welcome back, Reggie Love. Can't describe how much easier it is to have a second, competent running back, and it being a running back who is a good pass blocker. PFF has been higher on Reggie this season than the stats showed. Saturday was his coming-out party for senior year. Hope he finishes strong.
4. The rotation has shortened, but this is the most trustworthy set of pass catchers for Illinois in my lifetime. Everyone has a very defined role. Those roles align with each person's strengths. Even if IW11 goes for the draft, I feel good about the future for Aston Hollins, Kenari Wilcher, Malik Elzy, Hank Beatty, etc.
5. Pat Bryant could get to 50 catches this season with a good finish. Isaiah could get to 90 with a good finish. No Illinois WR has reached 90 catches since AJ Jenkins. The last time Illinois had two, 50-catch offensive players? 2014 - Dudek & Ferguson. Last time they had two WRs? 2002 (Lloyd & Young). Last time they had a 80-50, let alone a 90-50? It's never happened.
6. Kudos to Lunney. I've been a fan of him since he was hired. There are always bumps with an OC, especially in the B1G West, but the play calling has been excellent down the stretch.
7. Two bad games in a row for Nicholson. Not sure if that is more noise or signal. Need to see how things go in these final two games.
8. Most snaps played in a game this season for Tobe. If it wasn't obvious before that he's now #2 CB, it is now. He played well again (comparative to the secondary tire fire). Coverage success was mostly Tobe, Bush, and Strain (>20 snaps). Everyone else graded poorly.
9. The '24 pass rush is going to need a serious lift. We've all been talking about needing to find pass rushers in the portal this offseason after Newton is gone, so this isn't a revelation. That said, I really hope Randolph sticks around. He's been playing hurt for a long time and is still above average.
10. Feels like we are one more Griffin miss away from Olano taking over on FGs/XPs.
(no number) I'm going to stay out of the Paddock - Altmyer opinion because it's becoming toxic. It stinks that fans (collectively) can take a positive and make it such a sore spot. These are the moments where Bielema has to make the best decision for the program. I'm comfortable with either guy starting on Saturday. That said, whoever starts, remember they will be facing the best defense in CFB.
1. The two comments about Paddock - Altmyer that warrant mentioning: (1) turnover-worthy throws - seeing lots of comments about how Paddock's game right now is excellent (uh, it is), but that he isn't putting the ball at risk at the same level as Altmyer. Paddock's turnover-worthy throw percentage (5.3%) is much higher than Altmyer's (3.1%). Not great when you're about to face Cooper DeJean and the #1 defense. (2) Average depth of target - Paddock: 12.8. Altmyer: 7.9 yards. Five yards is a massive difference. Paddock is finding guys and putting them in a position to be successful (also helps when Indiana blows a couple coverages). Another big reason for that depth of target...
2. That had to be the best offensive line performance for the team since '22 NW game. Crisler seems fully back to solid/above-average Big Ten guard. Pearl had one of his best games of the season. Kreutz had his best run blocking game of the season. Whitenack had a solid performance in small sample size. Boyer and Arkin have established themselves as good blocking TEs. Same for Henderson. PFF's pass blocking grades are okay, but disappointing after watching the game. Paddock wasn't really pressured until the last series of regulation and the OT drive, so not sure what else they needed to do. Because the run game was also BACK....
3. Welcome back, Reggie Love. Can't describe how much easier it is to have a second, competent running back, and it being a running back who is a good pass blocker. PFF has been higher on Reggie this season than the stats showed. Saturday was his coming-out party for senior year. Hope he finishes strong.
4. The rotation has shortened, but this is the most trustworthy set of pass catchers for Illinois in my lifetime. Everyone has a very defined role. Those roles align with each person's strengths. Even if IW11 goes for the draft, I feel good about the future for Aston Hollins, Kenari Wilcher, Malik Elzy, Hank Beatty, etc.
5. Pat Bryant could get to 50 catches this season with a good finish. Isaiah could get to 90 with a good finish. No Illinois WR has reached 90 catches since AJ Jenkins. The last time Illinois had two, 50-catch offensive players? 2014 - Dudek & Ferguson. Last time they had two WRs? 2002 (Lloyd & Young). Last time they had a 80-50, let alone a 90-50? It's never happened.
6. Kudos to Lunney. I've been a fan of him since he was hired. There are always bumps with an OC, especially in the B1G West, but the play calling has been excellent down the stretch.
7. Two bad games in a row for Nicholson. Not sure if that is more noise or signal. Need to see how things go in these final two games.
8. Most snaps played in a game this season for Tobe. If it wasn't obvious before that he's now #2 CB, it is now. He played well again (comparative to the secondary tire fire). Coverage success was mostly Tobe, Bush, and Strain (>20 snaps). Everyone else graded poorly.
9. The '24 pass rush is going to need a serious lift. We've all been talking about needing to find pass rushers in the portal this offseason after Newton is gone, so this isn't a revelation. That said, I really hope Randolph sticks around. He's been playing hurt for a long time and is still above average.
10. Feels like we are one more Griffin miss away from Olano taking over on FGs/XPs.
Iowa is 6-0 at home and most home points given up is 16
Why shoot for 25? Aim for 50......no reason to drop below 48
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