Pregame: Illinois at Rutgers, Saturday, October 6th, 11:00am CT, BTN

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#126      
BananaShampoo
Illinibatt said:
Am I the only one who thinks Rivers looked better against USF/PSU than Bush looked against KSU/WIU?
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I agree. I think MJ was making considerable progress and was making better decisions than AJ so I hate to see them switch it up midstream when the kid is just finding his groove. Hopefully (assuming they go with AJ) it doesn't cost us.
 
#127      
Deleted member 29907
Illinibatt said:
Am I the only one who thinks Rivers looked better against USF/PSU than Bush looked against KSU/WIU?
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By the "likes" i guess not, but I would not agree. MJ got away with a few VERY freshman mistakes in those games - one we got lucky on and got a PI and another almost gave up a pick 6. Early on he tended to hold onto the ball too long in the pocket - that seems to have gotten a bit better.

We also didn't fully take the leash off of Epstein until after AJ got hurt - which allowed for a more dynamic offense. AJ reads the RPO better and makes better choices and gets much more yardage out of his runs. Both miss open receivers at times, but I think MJ has a better throw. MJ was a nice surprise based on the fact that he was a freshman, but I'd really like a fully healthy AJ back and think after he shakes the rust, he'll be better for this team. Its a dilemma because he deserves the chance to get back into form, but we obviously can't risk a winnable game like Rutgers to do so.

MJ is possibly getting an easier score because not as much was expected??
 
#128      
Second and Chalmers
VAIllini35 said:
By the "likes" i guess not, but I would not agree. MJ got away with a few VERY freshman mistakes in those games - one we got lucky on and got a PI and another almost gave up a pick 6. Early on he tended to hold onto the ball too long in the pocket - that seems to have gotten a bit better.

We also didn't fully take the leash off of Epstein until after AJ got hurt - which allowed for a more dynamic offense. AJ reads the RPO better and makes better choices and gets much more yardage out of his runs. Both miss open receivers at times, but I think MJ has a better throw. MJ was a nice surprise based on the fact that he was a freshman, but I'd really like a fully healthy AJ back and think after he shakes the rust, he'll be better for this team. Its a dilemma because he deserves the chance to get back into form, but we obviously can't risk a winnable game like Rutgers to do so.
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Yeah Rivers isn't much of a runner, having Bush back will really add to that part of our game.
 
#129      
TheGMan
Probably a lot to do with expectations. Coming out of camp, there were those who expected AJ Bush to come in and immediately dominate, and when he didn't it made it seem like was worse. The opposite was true of MJ. Most probably didn't expect much out of him and he exceeded those expectations. But that doesn't necessarily mean MJ was better than AJ.
 
#130      
Fighter of the Nightman
Obviously, there are exceptions ... but for how bad we have been for 20+ years, it seems like lines move in our favor WAY more than they move against us, LOL. Must be that big alumni base and Illinois transplants all around with nothing to do but bet. :)
 
#131      
220Illini
Let me preface by saying I love the way MJ played coming in quickly as a true freshman quarterback against good teams. He did well all things considered.

But, he really didn't do anything special. Special meaning you hand him the ball the rest of the season and say you're the guy. He made short, high percentage throws that most all P5 QB's should be able to make set up from our successful running attack. He provides us with no downfield passing attack whatsoever which if we are to win games we need. The USF game we lost due to them adapting to our gameplan of run or screen.
 
#133      
Fighter of the Nightman
Second and Chalmers said:
It's the opposite in my experience. :noidea:
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Really? I don't follow betting that much, so it must just be random.

Back to game talk: ugh, I was a huge defender of the all-whites (they look stylish, and if you don't agree, you're wrong!) for years, bud damn ... they literally don't look at all "us." Need SOME orange or blue on all uniform sets, IMO. This would be my personal choice if I were Lovie for this year:

vs. Kent State - O/B/O
vs. Western Illinois - O/B/O
vs. South Florida in Chicago, IL - B/B/W (Bears tribute)
vs. Penn State - O/B/O
at Rutgers - O/W/O
vs. Purdue - G/G/G (Gray Ghost Homecoming tribute IF there is some orange added)
at Wisconsin - O/W/O
at Maryland - O/W/O
vs. Minnesota - O/B/O
at Nebraska - O/W/O
vs. Iowa - O/B/O
at Northwestern - B/W/B (maybe make NU our "wear blue" game? B/B/B at home? I don't know, LOL)
 
#138      
Ramrod2010
While I've been pleased with MJ up to this point I think you look long term here. Don't keep playing him (unless you need to due to injuries) and count this season as a redshirt and see what you get next year as a RS-FR. I think the returns will be better this way.

As for this game, I'm looking forward to a comfortable win.
 
#139      
1stsgttb
I think we win 38-24. We will run all over them. Here's hoping.
 
#140      
TGB
After we beat Rutgers, I think this team will have a very good chance against Purdue. The culture is changing for the team, and now we have to start changing the negative culture of the fans. Win or lose, let's go to the games and cheer for the beloved Illini. I wonder how many posters have season tickets or even bother to go to the game.
 
#142      
BD mil
BZuppke said:
What has Purdue done that’s so impressive? I think they’re very beatable.
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Not for you. This isn’t the same Purdue team that lost to EMU. It’s not that you have no good players or something like that. Its that it would take a much much better defense to hold this offense to the 24 points you’d need to hold it to to outscore us if your offense was on fire.

Purdue broke in a whole new front seven. It took holt until about game four to do what he was able to from game one last year with a much more veteran laden team.

If you can deal with Rondale Moore and all the threats that open up off of Moore, I’ll be floored.
 
#143      
BD mil
Second and Chalmers said:
Purdue is a tough one to nail down at this juncture.

They aren't a Darrell Hazell version, that's for sure.
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But, this was always going to be the year they were most hampered by Hazells poor recruiting. Next year there are about 5-9 freshman who will come in and play and the talent difference will be obvious in week one.

As bad coaches like hazell progress, they recruit WORSE as time goes on. As hazell progressed, he was losing recruiting battles to Mac schools regularly. We always knew this year would suck worse than last year
 
#144      
Fighter of the Nightman
BD mil said:
Not for you. This isn’t the same Purdue team that lost to EMU. It’s not that you have no good players or something like that. Its that it would take a much much better defense to hold this offense to the 24 points you’d need to hold it to to outscore us if your offense was on fire.

Purdue broke in a whole new front seven. It took holt until about game four to do what he was able to from game one last year with a much more veteran laden team.

If you can deal with Rondale Moore and all the threats that open up off of Moore, I’ll be floored.
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Neither school's fans should be anywhere near as cocky as you appear to be, LOL.
 
#145      
BD mil
Fighter of the Nightman said:
Whether or not we beat Purdue is certainly up for debate, but to act like we are destined to be "shellacked" on Homecoming in Champaign vs. a team that lost to Eastern Michigan at home is kind of insane. There is at least a chance that Purdue team shows up.
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That loss was a turning point. If Purdue suddenly gets transformed back to a team trying to figure out who it’s go to corners, go to linebackers other than bailey, go to receivers others than Moore are as well as where the pass rush is going to come from, then yes you’d be facing the same team that lost to EMU.

But Purdue has figured that out. Purdue opened up against three four star QBs who play like it and PASS like it (yes EMUs QB was a four star Iowa commit who trabsferred). As soon as they faced Anthony Brown of Boston College, a three star who is not a threat to beat you with his arm first, even with AJ Dillon, the Boston College offense was crippled.

When I see your QB threw for 168 yards and 0 TD against south Florida, that checks that same box as Anthony Brown. Not gonna do it.
 
#146      
BD mil
Fighter of the Nightman said:
Neither school's fans should be anywhere near as cocky as you appear to be, LOL.
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Not cocky relative to nothing .. if this was a Wisconsin forum I’d be saying I just hoped we could be close in the 4th. It’s illinois. You should read what Big Ten coaches had to say anonymously about Illinois before the season.

Purdue has figured out more than you realize. David Blough has looked like Kyle Orton pre injury senior year.

Cocky overall? No. Just relative to Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota.
 
#148      
BD mil
ChazzReinhold said:
With all the high tension news stories out there today, I am thankful that I was able to enjoy a Purdue fan extol his team in the Rutgers pre game thread.
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This is the best forum I think you guys have. It’s not a shot at Illinois. I think you beat Nebraska and send Lincoln up in mental flames.

Also, it’s our bye week .. bored. You guys will smack Rutgers around .. what is the suspense this week.
 
#149      
220Illini
BD mil said:
Not cocky relative to nothing .. if this was a Wisconsin forum I’d be saying I just hoped we could be close in the 4th. It’s illinois. You should read what Big Ten coaches had to say anonymously about Illinois before the season.

Purdue has figured out more than you realize. David Blough has looked like Kyle Orton pre injury senior year.

Cocky overall? No. Just relative to Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota.
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Purdue hasn't had a winning record in conference in 12 years. No self respecting Purdue fan has any room to be cocky relative to anyone in this conference.

Ya'll went 6-6 in the regular season last year and you're talking like you're Iowa...
 
#150      
Illiniaaron
I'm a little surprised by all the posters predicting wins over Rutgers and Purdue. I don't think Illinois is good enough to just waltz on to the field tomorrow and expect Rutgers to lie down. I'm sure they are looking at this game as a possible win also. And there's no question that Illinois is going to have a tough time with Purdue's offense. I'm not from Missouri but you need to show me something before I believe.
 
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