Pregame: Illinois at Kansas, Friday, September 8th, 6:30pm CT, ESPN2

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#201      
PassingBy
Indy Illini Fan said:
So you're telling me we can go 9-3 ?

Ill Allow It GIF
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Depends.

9-3 IF we use our lives sequentially. Yes.

However, if we are more judicious, then I would expect a better result set.

So, I would fully expect to use a life each for Kansas, Penn State, and Wisky. So that means we are left with 5 lives, with 8 games. Do we really need a life against NW? I do not think so. Hope not.

So, win the given. And use the 5 lives carefully.

:)

GO ILLINI.
 
#203      
Fuze
Indy Illini Fan said:
Bret did not think the 2nd half looked okay ... Have to be better ...
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After rewatching highlights, it really pointed out that it only looked like we "adjusted" in the second half because we stopped committing all the bad penalties to save their drives. Scheme and execution looked about the same, that being good enough to get out alive but far from what our standard should be.
 
#204      
SkyysNotFalling
Still think lots of us are putting way too much weight on that Toledo game.

A week ago today, many on here, local & even some national media members had us projected as West Division favorites.

& we have a quarterback (we thinks)

I like Illinois to win Friday..say..

27-17.
 
#205      
Ander1345
SkyysNotFalling said:
Still think lots of us are putting way too much weight on that Toledo game.

A week ago today, many on here, local & even some national media members had us projected as West Division favorites.

& we have a quarterback (we thinks)

I like Illinois to win Friday..say..

27-17.
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I think it's valid to worry about how we played week 1. Also valid to question how good either Illinois or Kansas really are.

Toledo could end up being a double digit win team and Missouri State could be a middle of the road to bad FCS team. We played a solid FCS program last year and beat them by the same margin... but we had a shut out.
 
#206      
aaeismacgychel
So, prediction time. Cards on the table, before the season started, I had this as a loss. And I still think that outcome is the more probable one. I assumed we'd still be struggling on offense with a qb who was still working on timing and reads, and our vaunted defense would be tested by their o-line and in downs that we couldn't get there in time, Kansas would have the ability to light up our secondary.

But last week makes me feel a lot better. True, our lines and linebackers struggled, but it looks like we have the real deal at QB in Altmyer, our secondary actually looked damn good in deep coverage, and I just don't see any possibility we come out even close to as undisciplined as we were against Toledo. Similarly it'd be shocking to me if our o and d lines weren't appreciably better.

While our linebacker play will still be a big question mark for me, I think we have an offense that can put some points on the board, and I think our defense can limit the quick strike offense of Kansas. This will be a nailbiter and I almost want to say this goes to overtime but put me down for:

Illinois: 37
Kansas: 34

For an Illini upset in another last minute victory.
 
#207      
Illini2010-11
Fuze said:
After rewatching highlights, it really pointed out that it only looked like we "adjusted" in the second half because we stopped committing all the bad penalties to save their drives. Scheme and execution looked about the same, that being good enough to get out alive but far from what our standard should be.
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Imagine this board had Scott's pick 6 not happened. The team looked really flat and completely lacked execution and focus until after that play. The execution got slightly better afterward, but still left a lot to be desired. Hoping this team really makes the traditional week 1 to week 2 leap...plenty of good film to review and opportunities to clean up penalties/poor execution. I expect a much cleaner performance tomorrow night. Not sure if a win is in the cards, but I anticipate a close, competitive contest.
 
#210      
redwingillini11
I think we are very, very capable of fixing the wrongs from this past week and getting back on path to how we all saw this season going. However, I am extremely nervous about going into what I believe will be an absolutely electric atmosphere by Kansas standards, and having trouble controlling the energy in the stadium. I feel like it is bound to be a game like Indiana last year.

We lead going into the fourth 20-17, we unfortunately lose 31-20.
 
#211      
Bbuck21
Chukwuwumba said:
One concern for the defense dating back to last year is a dual threat qb. Tanner Morgan?? Was the best dual threat qb last year maybe? Big West just doesn’t have dual threats. Olbs can sell out on the run, but seem to have issues on zone read. New position coach doesn’t have experience with that either.
Finn gave issues, Daniels or Kansas qb will too. Have to figure out how to handle dual threat qb with this defense. Didn’t work out well vs Toledo.
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I hate dual threat QBs! Unless he's on my team.
 
#212      
illini0440
Second place is 1st loser said:
I didn't like our ability to handle an athletic quarterback against Toledo. Much bigger task here.
It's hard for me to believe that our D-Line could play that badly two weeks in a row, but if putting money down... I have to see this new version of our D be better.

Bad guys. 38
Illinois. 24

Hoping for:

Illinois. 5679
Bad guys. -3
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Jalon actually prefers to run less than Finn
 
#213      
Bbuck21
Indy Illini Fan said:
Totally agree ... I expect a lot from Josh as does Bret and the staff ...

But calling it like it is ... Reggie has out performed him through spring, summer, and fall ... Feagin also has looked better than Josh at times ... And IMO, Feagin will be the main guy next year ...

Josh knows there is work to do ... Get the OL to help him ... He feels better after playing a game and getting back used to game speed ...

We'll see what happens rest of this season ...
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Thanks for your views. I agree. But, I hope we do get to see Feagin a decent amount. I don't care if it's not till mid-season as long as it works for the team and him.
 
#214      
Bbuck21
aaeismacgychel said:
Purdue won the West last year at 6-3. Is it possible that two West teams go at least 8-1 this year (one other team plus ourselves in your scenario)? Yes, but it isn't likely. Minnesota, Nebraska, and Purdue are the 2nd tier teams in the B10 West this year in my opinion, and they each will still will have a decent chance to knock off one of the upper tier west team in Wisconsin, Iowa, and us.

Think of it this way- even if we were to lose to PSU and Maryland, and win the rest of our B10 games, we would own the tiebreaker over all the other West teams, meaning someone would have to go 8-1 with their only loss to us to make it to Indy over us at 7-2. Possible, but not likely. Beating PSU would give more margin for error, but a loss won't spell the end of West Division crown.
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I think it's hilarious that you didn't even bother to mention Northwestern in your categories 🤣
 
#215      
Bbuck21
FloridaMan said:
Makes sense. I noticed it was definitely the right side of the line struggling Saturday, but it was being manned by two young guys who will surely get better with film, reps, etc. Imagine that we are to the point as a program that we can boil down needed improvements to individual line play. Man, what a long time coming for our program!
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Must be a lot of good eyes in the sky with this staff.
 
#219      
Fighter of the Nightman
SkyysNotFalling said:
Still think lots of us are putting way too much weight on that Toledo game.

A week ago today, many on here, local & even some national media members had us projected as West Division favorites.

& we have a quarterback (we thinks)

I like Illinois to win Friday..say..

27-17.
Click to expand...
This is where I (and I think a lot of Illini fans) stand ... two possibilities, and they are SO different. Assuming Altmyer really is as legit as he looks and we can truly rely on a quality passing game...

1. If our defense really did take this much of a step back, it might be a wash overall. And that probably lowers our ceiling, because teams with killer defenses but okay offenses seem to be able to muck up the game and get ugly wins way more often.

2. If our defense simply had a shaky start and snaps a bit back to form and is the strength we all assumed it would be, then our ceiling is DEFINITELY much higher for this season than I had imagined when I thought QB play was a total question mark.

Whether we win or lose tomorrow, I dare say we will know within one quarter at KU if #1 or #2 will be the case. I am cautiously optimistic that it's #2, at which point we have an excellent chance to win in Lawrence and frankly beat anyone on the schedule (though I'm not saying we will, obviously). It has me excited AND nervous for tomorrow!
 
#220      
Mr. Tibbs
well
one game means little
but two games indicate a lot
we will find out tomorrow night if we are the real deal or if we are not

i’m confident we will show up and take care of business .
 
#221      
CDRUSN
Last week, the great unknown was whether Luke could effectively lead the offense. His command was excellent, his reads were very good, accuracy was great, and his release was quick without being rushed or panicky. He also surprised Illini fans with way above average ability running the ball. It's only one game, but Luke looks to be the real deal.

This week, the great unknown is whether our defensive line and linebackers will play up to their proven ability. For most of game 1, they were pushed off the line of scrimmage by Toledo, could not effectively stuff the run, lost contain on the outside more often than not allowing the qb to run for good yardage, and did not pressure the passer. Knowing the quality of our players and coaches, I am expecting a much improved performance this week against a better Kansas team. Our frontline defense has too much ability, experience, and pride to let the disappointing performance of last week linger.
 
#222      
cuillini
IMO, this comes down to time of possession. If we keep Daniels off the field, we win. The key will be our o line. We need to grind this one out.
 
#225      
Ryllini
Can we please just blow these guys out by half? I have to go to the Montini/Naz game, which should be a good one, but I'm not going to enjoy myself knowing I'm missing the orange and blue. It also a blackout game at Montini..I will not be in black. I will not be giving any juju to KU.
 
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