I was just watching a NCAAF sports betting show on YouTube, they were previewing our game and one of the commentators said, "Every time I put my money on Nebraska, I no longer have that money." LOL
Pregame: Illinois at Nebraska, Saturday, October 29th, 2:30pm CT, ABC
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redwingillini11
White and Sixth
- North Aurora
Illinois losing a head coach to the NBA or NFL today would certainly hurt but it would also be a very good sign the program is very healthy and we could probably weather that storm.
People take and leave jobs for all kinds of reasons and it’s personal to each of us why and how. A coaching job is a unique delicate balancing act among one’s personal life and family... one’s finances... how much support you’re getting from ‘management’... how engaged is the fan base... how willing are your group of young people players to listen to you and learn from you... can your grow your coaching philosophy there, the kind of mass media scrutiny, etc. This will quickly reveal one’s own strength of character and the viability of your coaching style, goals, and methods.
In the case of the Illini... it’s about having Coaches around the Nation now fully know that all the elements for great success are right here... Great ‘management’... competitive pay and benefits... a welcoming atmosphere for your family... a passionate fan base... quality young people eager to learn and create a team ‘family’... and knowing that your own philosophy of coaching fits right in with the overall vision of the Program and all those administering it.
In other words, the Illini now fully crashing the ‘glass ceiling’ and being fully recognized as one of the top jobs in the Nation.
And as stated before, now prioritizing the Illini retaining the three great leaders that are raising the profile as well as winning culture of The Orange.
I read a article a few weeks ago about Big10 Coaches salary, Head ball coach and assistants. If all goes well BB will be making 6 million next year vs. His 4.2 million. Walters up to 2.2 million per yr. 3 year extension. All coaches bump. Great job staff and players. I worry more about Saban and Bama poaching Walters etc..
He has a pretty high buy out(which is rare for assistant coaches) if he leaves for another DC job somewhere.
I forget the particulars but BB (and his assistants) have performance bonuses that they will likely be entitled to at the end of this season. Win the division, win the conference, invited to a bowl, invited to a better bowl----all provide bonus pay.
This game worries me for several reasons.
1. Road game, and Neb. can be a tough place to play.
2. Neb. has been playing better last 3 weeks.
3. We talk a lot about Bielema’s revenge tour, but have to think after losing to Illini two years in a row that Nebby might have a little revenge on its mind. And I imagine it would be pretty sweet to take down a ranked team to get that revenge. 4. Huskers still have opportunity to go to a bowl game. With Michigan and Iowa on the road, their best chance might be to win their remaining home games.
5. Nebraska has a true playmaker. As good as Illini D has been, they’ve had some lapses against playmakers. They let IU’s Camper get loose for 150+ yards as well as allowed a second receiver to get 100+ yards. LaPorta got 100 yards. And Ibrahim had 127 yards, and it could have been more if Minny didn’t seemingly abandon the run. Palmer is on par with or better than those playmakers.
All that said, I think Illini win 24-13, but it would not surprise me at all if it is closer than that. Hopefully having McCray back helps the red zone offense and/or Pinton stays perfect.
Go Illini
1. Road game, and Neb. can be a tough place to play.
2. Neb. has been playing better last 3 weeks.
3. We talk a lot about Bielema’s revenge tour, but have to think after losing to Illini two years in a row that Nebby might have a little revenge on its mind. And I imagine it would be pretty sweet to take down a ranked team to get that revenge. 4. Huskers still have opportunity to go to a bowl game. With Michigan and Iowa on the road, their best chance might be to win their remaining home games.
5. Nebraska has a true playmaker. As good as Illini D has been, they’ve had some lapses against playmakers. They let IU’s Camper get loose for 150+ yards as well as allowed a second receiver to get 100+ yards. LaPorta got 100 yards. And Ibrahim had 127 yards, and it could have been more if Minny didn’t seemingly abandon the run. Palmer is on par with or better than those playmakers.
All that said, I think Illini win 24-13, but it would not surprise me at all if it is closer than that. Hopefully having McCray back helps the red zone offense and/or Pinton stays perfect.
Go Illini
Good analysis I'll just add their OL is not a great unit and their defense is still in the 100's I believe.
If Brown and McCray find the yards I think we win this one pretty soundly.
Yep, and those things play into the Illini being 8 point (or whatever it is now) favorites on the road. I think Illini win and keep this great ride rumbling . . . but might/could be closer than we think.
I also wonder what we’ll get out of McCray in thi game. Through the Penn St game last year, McCray averaged 5.5 ypc on 87 carries. Since then in 5 games he’s averaged 3.1 ypc on 33 carries. Injuries have played into that, but still a little worrisome. Of course, there have been at least a couple of times that a 3 yard gain would have made difference between a TD and a FG.
one defensive lapse and one special teams lapse.
Huskers rank in the 130s against the run and the 110s against the pass. And their OL might be second worst in the B1G
I think ultimately Illinois matches up extremely well against Nebraska. They have a very weak OL, we have a very strong DL. They are terrible against the run, we have one of the best RB's in CFB and his best backup is healthy again. They have one explosive playmaker on offense, we have the a top 5 CB to cover him up. I think this game looks a lot like the Minnesota game, albeit with a little more success passing and a little less success running for Big Red. I would go Illinois 20-10.
BZuppke
- Plainfield
But that wasn’t using us as a stepping stone. That was a multi-million dollar pay day that no college could afford.
fortunately, we do
But it is a Miracle. Took divine intervention to turn a touchdown into an incomplete. We should be 7-0.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
IlliniwekKDR
- Colorado Springs, CO
I had a nightmare last night that we lost this game 96-3. Here's hoping my dreams don't predict the future 
Has their been any notable change in performance by the numbers since the firing?
I really think they'll be pumped and this will be closer than most think. If we can land a quick punch, maybe we can remind them how badly they suck and take away their enthusiasm.
I really think they'll be pumped and this will be closer than most think. If we can land a quick punch, maybe we can remind them how badly they suck and take away their enthusiasm.
TheFlyingIllini1317
- Chicago, IL
I had a nightmare we lost 115-112 in the first ot last night!I had a nightmare last night that we lost this game 96-3. Here's hoping my dreams don't predict the future
illini80
- Forgottonia
I admit I enjoy listening to him, but mainly because he is an idiot and I love how wrong his is about almost everything.
BZuppke
- Plainfield
I think we were favored in 1925. Grange’s senior year. We won 14-0 in Champaign.
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