You don't think JW would fire him if he under performs the next 2-3 seasons?He isn't going to be forced to---at least not while Whitman is at the helm. He'll retire from Illinois.
You don't think JW would fire him if he under performs the next 2-3 seasons?He isn't going to be forced to---at least not while Whitman is at the helm. He'll retire from Illinois.
This. S/FNow I am looking forward to watching the beloved go out and earn some freeking respect
No.You don't think JW would fire him if he under performs the next 2-3 seasons?
You don't think JW would fire him if he under performs the next 2-3 seasons?
Agreed. Opening line seemed a bit high, but I think a line of somewhere between 17 and 20 seems about right. WI is a pre-season top 20 team and given the recent history of both programs and it being a road game, I’m not sure what people expect. I’m not saying game won’t be closer or that the Illini can’t win, but they’ve got to prove it on the field. Here’s to hoping they do just that and put up back to back wins over Wisky.I would agree, though I dont think I'd spot us less than 14ish to feel comfortable. First off, Wisconsin has proven they can win with mediocre/bad QB play. The rookie QB you speak of was the 3rd best pro style QB in his class, 65th overall. Rankings are not everything, but thats someone who clearly showed talent. There team will be good. They have more talent than us, full stop. Maybe experience and scheme fit plays into our hands, but I'm not betting on a win, but I do agree +23 is a ridiculous line.
I like to try and see what experts/those outside the program think. We can all show how much experience or returning starters or whatever we have and work ourselves into a 6-3 or better mind set, but every major publication has us at the bottom of our division. I'd like to think we are middle of the pack. The game line was obivously bad, its moved 4 pts down already. I don't think it's crazy to think a team that has been as bad as deserves the benefit of the doubt. We have to go out there and show we are capable of at least giving top 25 teams a consistent run for their money.
Last years team was close, lets hope this year we can solidify ourselves. TLDR, a team as historically bad as illinois needs to prove they deserve a better line than +19 against top 25 opponents before its given. Vegas makes a lot of money, I trust them more than most.
Someone's orange glasses would have to be pretty tinted if they don't see it this way.I would agree, though I dont think I'd spot us less than 14ish to feel comfortable. First off, Wisconsin has proven they can win with mediocre/bad QB play. The rookie QB you speak of was the 3rd best pro style QB in his class, 65th overall. Rankings are not everything, but thats someone who clearly showed talent. There team will be good. They have more talent than us, full stop. Maybe experience and scheme fit plays into our hands, but I'm not betting on a win, but I do agree +23 is a ridiculous line.
I like to try and see what experts/those outside the program think. We can all show how much experience or returning starters or whatever we have and work ourselves into a 6-3 or better mind set, but every major publication has us at the bottom of our division. I'd like to think we are middle of the pack. The game line was obivously bad, its moved 4 pts down already. I don't think it's crazy to think a team that has been as bad as deserves the benefit of the doubt. We have to go out there and show we are capable of at least giving top 25 teams a consistent run for their money.
Last years team was close, lets hope this year we can solidify ourselves. TLDR, a team as historically bad as illinois needs to prove they deserve a better line than +19 against top 25 opponents before its given. Vegas makes a lot of money, I trust them more than most.
I still think that Lovie will throw at the new qb for Wisky some gadget defenses. He will want to get him off his timing. Do we blitz him early and make him throw quick? There is no doubt that he can pass the ball. I remember watching him in the All American game his senior year. He can throw the ball. But now he is on a different level. We have a lot of experience on def especially the back 7. The first game and I think on passing downs you blitz him unmercifully. Go Illini. He is no Trevor Lawrence. I hope Lovie wil throw some exotic defensive schemes. Go Illini!
The Tampa 2 has wrinkles he can put in with coverages that could confuse the kid. Lovie will stay with his bread and butter but will maybe throw a corner blitz at him. Who know but our back 7 is the best we have had in years and the DL is better than what's on paper. We will see, its game 1 and Camp Randall won't be the same without real fans. I really like our chances.If by gadget defense you mean Tampa 2, then yeah.
Let us know how that goes.I will be in Las Vegas next week. After the Illini win I will go to book and tell them how wrong they were. I don’t bet. Go Illini!!
I will be in Las Vegas next week. After the Illini win I will go to book and tell them how wrong they were. I don’t bet. Go Illini!!
People seem really up in arms about the line. I dont disagree to an extent, but it makes total sense from a money perspective, which is all Vegas cares about. You've got two programs, historical polar opposites, one that is already top 15 by the media/coaches, the other not sniffing the top 25. Playing 'away' probably doesnt help the line either. Like I've said, 14ish seems more reasonable. Not sure what we were ATS last year, but I've always felt like we had the spread against us, which I doubt is true. I see a similar case here.Someone's orange glasses would have to be pretty tinted if they don't see it this way.
Yes, the line reflects the money wagered. Betting equilibrium is the house goal.People seem really up in arms about the line. I dont disagree to an extent, but it makes total sense from a money perspective, which is all Vegas cares about. You've got two programs, historical polar opposites, one that is already top 15 by the media/coaches, the other not sniffing the top 25. Playing 'away' probably doesnt help the line either. Like I've said, 14ish seems more reasonable. Not sure what we were ATS last year, but I've always felt like we had the spread against us, which I doubt is true. I see a similar case here.
8-4 ATS iircPeople seem really up in arms about the line. I dont disagree to an extent, but it makes total sense from a money perspective, which is all Vegas cares about. You've got two programs, historical polar opposites, one that is already top 15 by the media/coaches, the other not sniffing the top 25. Playing 'away' probably doesnt help the line either. Like I've said, 14ish seems more reasonable. Not sure what we were ATS last year, but I've always felt like we had the spread against us, which I doubt is true. I see a similar case here.
NIce message.
HaHa I was just thinking that same thing!NIce message.
Just hoping we got a new sticker-applier-guy.
Wait just a second, I love these helmets. Gives me goosebumps for this game.
Illinois by 14. A pick 6 seals the victory.
Looks like it's going to be in the 30s and rainy in Madison. This may hold back our hypothetically enhanced passing attack, so this probably slightly favors the Badgers?