Pregame: Illinois at Washington, Saturday, October 25th, 2:30pm CT, BTN

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#51      
WhereDoWeStandWithStorr?
For all the playoff-obsessed folks, here’s what we should aim for: TAMU, UGA, BAMA win out. Oklahoma has the following path: loss to SC, Bama. wins vs TENN, MISS, MIZ. Whoever wins between them or LSU falls to 4 losses.

With only that alone, assuming no upsets, that leaves just 4 teams with 10-2 or better records from the SEC (Ole Miss). But upsets are guaranteed to happen (for example Vanderbilt winning a few of these games; I honestly wouldn’t even consider them beating LSU an “upset”) - which leaves even more 3 and 4 loss teams.

Of course these dominos have to fall your way - Florida State only needed Georgia to beat Bama to be in the playoff. Point being, in all honesty, winning out should be the main point of focus, as it’s a massive hurdle, not what happens if we get there. Everything from that point on is just what it is.

But IMO it is fun to at least root for the games to go your way.
 
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#52      
PleaseMakeABowlGame
WhereDoWeStandWithStorr? said:
For all the playoff-obsessed folks, here’s what we should aim for: TAMU, UGA, BAMA win out. Oklahoma has the following path: loss to SC, Bama. wins vs TENN, MISS, MIZ. Whoever wins between them or LSU falls to 4 losses.

With only that alone, assuming no upsets, that leaves just 4 teams with 10-2 or better records from the SEC (Ole Miss). But upsets are guaranteed to happen (for example Vanderbilt winning a few of these games; I honestly wouldn’t even consider them beating LSU an “upset”) - which leaves even more 3 and 4 loss teams.

Of course these dominos have to fall your way - Florida State only needed Georgia to beat Bama to be in the playoff. Point being, in all honesty, winning out should be the main point of focus, as it’s a massive hurdle, not what happens if we get there. Everything from that point on is just what it is.

But IMO it is fun to at least root for the games to go your way.
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Ole Miss could've lost to Washington State and should've lost to ARK if it wasn't for a late fumble. I don't think they get to 10-2.

Everyone jumped on their bandwagon for beating an overrated LSU team.
 
#54      
RML
We won a couple games with our lines playing just ok, but with a friendly turnover fairy, and now have lost one with the lines playing well, but an unfriendly fairy. We play well again, I think we have a good chance for a w.
 
#55      
BrownTown
We haven't seen two good line games in a row. USC was very good at the time, now with the hindsight of watching them run over Michigan and very much stop a high powered running attack on defense...I have to say the line play was spectacular. And I've been calling for Bart's replacement all year.

But then Purdue happened...

Then somehow we looked pretty solid all things considered against a front line of 1st round/high end draft picks ?

Can we finally put that to bed in the off week and get a great scheme? Hopefully keep the faster but smaller Washington team in check.

You CAN win a shootout with Washington. But road victories are won by controlling the LOS and running the ball.
 
#56      
Bucktown
IlliniCaboose said:
My dad and I are flying out and staying near campus. Any food or touristy suggestions would be appreciated!
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We like Chinook’s over on Salmon Bay off of Emerson for brunch. Very Seattle right on the water by all of the fishing boats.

Or, closer, to campus grab take out for lunch at Iver’s on Lake Union and eat down by the water with the I-5 bridge towering over.
 
#57      
Thaillini22
Yeah. "We just couldn't convince ourselves that a team who lost a game by 50+ is among the top 12 teams in the country," etc.
 
#58      
Brosky
It's finally sinking into my thick head that Indiana is very, very good. Not just their current team but the program itself. The part that still mystifies me is, how has that coach of theirs turned the program around so dramatically without spending a WHOLE LOT of money? Is Indiana that loaded in the wallet? The answer is, they can't. Where does that pot of gold come from? Boosters?
 
#59      
BZuppke
One thing not much discussed about the Ohio State game is the sheer athleticism of the Buckeyes who were able to limit yards after catch among other things. We’ll not face that kind of talent the rest of the season.
 
#61      
thefalcon5
Fly Illini Fly! said:
Clarke has established himself as CB1. Have to think he'll be on Boston.
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I’ve got a few buckeye friends that say Smith cooked Clarke harder than they’ve seen him do it to anyone all year.

We held Smith to his (T) lowest receptions and least yards of the year. Clarke got beat on that endzone throw really bad, but other than that we limited who everyone is billing as the next Jerry Rice to respectable numbers.

Absolutely a win for this secondary and major props to Clarke. He’ll only get better.
 
#62      
PleaseMakeABowlGame
thefalcon5 said:
I’ve got a few buckeye friends that say Smith cooked Clarke harder than they’ve seen him do it to anyone all year.

We held Smith to his (T) lowest receptions and least yards of the year. Clarke got beat on that endzone throw really bad, but other than that we limited who everyone is billing as the next Jerry Rice to respectable numbers.

Absolutely a win for this secondary and major props to Clarke. He’ll only get better.
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The short fields were a factor...
 
#63      
Nohops 73
It will be very interesting to see how the Huskies play on the road against what should be an angry Michigan team. Will the Wolverines overwhelm them at the LOS? Will they pound the running game against the Huskies D? Washington’s best win to date is beating Maryland needing 3 fourth quarter TD’s to win by 3.
I like that Illinois has a bye week to heal, prepare, and get ready to travel. Bret seemed unhappy with Illinois’ lost opportunity against OSU and think he will have the team ready to play in 2 weeks.
 
#64      
Curbelo Fanboy
BZuppke said:
One thing not much discussed about the Ohio State game is the sheer athleticism of the Buckeyes who were able to limit yards after catch among other things. We’ll not face that kind of talent the rest of the season.
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Yes - there was a play kinda early where I think Laughery appeared to have some daylight to bust a long one & he was tackled after a 10 yard gain.
 
#65      
Fighter of the Nightman
Pretty simple with this one! Whether or not you happen to believe a 10-2 Illini team with its only losses being to OSU and Indiana actually makes the CFP ... it's undeniable that we would at least have a shot, and we will (almost certainly) NOT at 9-3. So, if there was ever a game to come out firing on all cylinders and to make a statement, please let it be this one!

Rest up and get the W.
 
#66      
Fighter of the Nightman
BZuppke said:
One thing not much discussed about the Ohio State game is the sheer athleticism of the Buckeyes who were able to limit yards after catch among other things. We’ll not face that kind of talent the rest of the season.
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Agreed. I was actually fairly shocked at how pessimistic some fans were after the OSU loss ... I mean, they outclassed us to a drastic degree when it came to talent and athleticism, and we were a few missed opportunities from having them on the ropes heading into the fourth quarter. I'm inclined to believe they eventually would have run away from us anyway, but I actually came away kind of impressed that we refused to let them pull an Indiana on us.

Let's move forward and use that experience to stack wins!
 
#67      
Pikeillinifan
Curbelo Fanboy said:
Yes - there was a play kinda early where I think Laughery appeared to have some daylight to bust a long one & he was tackled after a 10 yard gain.
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This play, and a couple of the goal-line stops, were impressive for OSU. The Luke stop and getting Laughery on the shuttle/shuffle pass were great plays. I swear, Laughery had a huge hole and could walk right in, but they stopped him cold. We will not face anyone else with athleticism like theirs this year unless we make the playoffs.
 
#68      
Pikeillinifan
Fighter of the Nightman said:
Agreed. I was actually fairly shocked at how pessimistic some fans were after the OSU loss ... I mean, they outclassed us to a drastic degree when it came to talent and athleticism, and we were a few missed opportunities from having them on the ropes heading into the fourth quarter. I'm inclined to believe they eventually would have run away from us anyway, but I actually came away kind of impressed that we refused to let them pull an Indiana on us.

Let's move forward and use that experience to stack wins!
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I agree 100%. I feel 100 times better than I did after the IU game. We actually played OSU well and fought until the end. We looked like we belonged on the field, and who knows what would have happened if we had played a clean game.
 
#69      
IlliniFaninHoosierLand
In the talk regarding game times, something to consider...

Game 2 of the World Series is the same day. Fox did have the Rutgers/USC game air after Game 1 of the World Series last year. I wouldn't put it out of realm of possibility that Illini/Washington game airs after that game. Especially if the Mariners are playing in the World Series as well.
 
#70      
Genesis
Pikeillinifan said:
I agree 100%. I feel 100 times better than I did after the IU game. We actually played OSU well and fought until the end. We looked like we belonged on the field, and who knows what would have happened if we had played a clean game.
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I agree with you and Fighter. If we just had two turnovers instead of four, I think the OSU game would have been about 24-24 as the clock wound down. I was pleased to see that we competed except for the turnovers.

I've been wondering since about July which factor would have the most impact against Washington - the disadvantage of traveling across 2 time zones or the advantage of having a week off. I'm going to guess the week off wins out.
 
#73      
Fighter of the Nightman
Dan said:
2:30pm CT or 6:00pm CT or 630pm CT

We'll find out Saturday night or Sunday morning

https://twitter.com/x/status/1977780692235747552
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I just want to say I am so glad we are past the days of our game being the no-brainer to be the ONLY one announced immediately for BTN like Rutgers/Purdue. :ROFLMAO: In other words, while we'll likely never reach the "brand status" of OSU or Michigan, it feels good to decidedly NOT be a drag.
 
#74      
Illini in Italy
For those of you contemplating a 10-2 season and a CFP, slot, how about we just focus on going 1-0 next week to got to 6-2? ;)
Bart Johnson Focus GIF by Cameo
 
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