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Love the 2nd paragraph.
Hope the fellas have a major chip on their shoulder and something to prove to the CFB world.
Pregame: Illinois at Iowa, Saturday, November 18th, 2:30pm CT, FS1
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Hope the fellas have a major chip on their shoulder and something to prove to the CFB world.
I feel like so much of this issue is related to turnovers. Our YPG is actually decent, but we turn the ball over way too much. Currently ranked 112 out of 130 when it comes to giving the ball away.
I'm not sure how much blame can be assigned to Lunney when players cough up the ball.
And that to me is the biggest reason Paddock should start. At least so far he seems to get the ball out and avoid turnovers. If we don’t beat ourselves we will 100% be in this game until the end.
Couple of things here:
1. I don't think those stats are adjusted for opponent (I may be wrong though). PSU has played a much tougher schedule than us (already played Iowa, UM, and OSU). So has probably everyone in the east.
2. These are interesting and useful metrics, but certainly don't tell the whole story of the offense. Our PPG are 28.9, PSU is 37.7. Is Rob really sure we are "clearly" the #3 offense?
3. PSU just fired their OC....
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Dan
Admin
"should be good to go by Saturday"
It really is weird how things change over time
Year OC Petersen was here we couldn't move the ball or score points but didn't turn the ball over. Since Lunney Jr has been here we can move the chains and not score at a high rate. We didn't score a ton of points last year when we didn't turn the ball.
Agree. No doubt we have turned the the ball over this season. Same time we have been inconsistent with scoring whether we turn the ball over or not in games. We have only been in a negative turnover margin 3 times this season and we are 2-1 in those games. Loss to Penn St and wins vs FAU and Minnesota. Until the Indiana breakout game we have been consistent on not scoring a ton of points whether 3 turnovers or 1 turnover.
Toledo 23 points 1 turnover (scored 30 but D had direct TD)
Kansas 23 points 2 turnovers
Penn St 13 points 5 turnovers (down 30-7 and scored in 4th quarter with 2nd stringers in for Penn St)
FAU 23 points 2 turnovers
Purdue 19 points 1 turnover
Nebraska 7 points 2 turnovers
Maryland 27 points 1 turnover
Wisconsin 21 points 0 turnovers
Minnesota 27 points 3 turnovers
Indiana 48 points 2 turnovers
Sounds about our last drive in regulation when all we needed was a first down to salt the game away. We run Reggie straight into the line three consecutive plays and punt.
Wait, is that legal?Just in case our coaching staff forgets...I'd like to remind them that Iowa kinda likes to throw to their tight ends a bit.
I mean I know it is on the first series, cuz we've done it a couple times. But can you still do it later series, too?
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texillwek
🔶🔹🔸🔷
Stop for gas and leave him
I think this is an important consideration. Luke ought to be able to appreciate starting a quarterback who just passed for the second-most yards of any quarterback in a game in school history. But give Paddock a short leash. To me, that result best balances the competing priorities of 1) going with the hot hand and 2) not deflating next year's starting quarterback.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I'm sure I am scarred by a few specific instances last year that bit us in the rear, but my very novice perception is that we are also frustratingly bad in the red zone. Again, this is all subjective and anecdotal, but I feel like I have watched so many drives where we are moving it extremely well but come away with 3 points at best and zero at worst, even once we are deep in enemy territory.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I don't think either should be bad for Luke. I get these are college kids, but they are also relatively big time athletes and competitors ... Luke should understand that not only is it about getting the W for the TEAM but also that he will have ample opportunities here.
I just don't see how you don't start Paddock. Fingers crossed and all, but Luke will be here many more games. And we love him. But Paddock just came in as a walk-on senior and is setting records. It isn't like the guy came in and just did surprisingly well for a bit while we needed him ... he was SHOCKINGLY phenomenal and is literally getting us publicity nationally he was so good!
We cannot afford turnovers and allowing Iowa to make too many big plays on defense. We HAVE to beat them with our offense. I don't see how Paddock doesn't give us the better opportunity, at least until he has proven that the last two games were flukes and he has "come back down to Earth." Luke should know he is still our long-term guy, but it's just awful sports karma to not ride this hot hand. I completely agree with a previous comment - start Paddock, and give him a short leash.
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Illinir1
- Camdenton, MO
Not to mention our 3rd or 4th-and-short offense has been horrendous.
So I spent the day looking at where Illinois ranked for the season on various team stats. One of the very, very few stats we were highly ranked on was Red Zone conversion %. 21 TDs and 6 FGs on 30 attempts. However, our 30 red zone attempts was some of the lowest in all of football.
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