Pregame: Illinois vs Minnesota, Saturday, October 15th, 11:00am CT, BTN

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#201      

RoundBalcs

RoundBalcs
RoundBalcs
Illini-Rule said:
I wonder if Bielema is playing his cards close to the vest. He makes a general statement that our hurt players might not be ready for the game, but should be ready by the bye week. Now Minnesota has to game plan for both QB's , but in reality we have DeVeto behind center. Just my optimistic attitude coming out. It's probably just wishful thinking.
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This sort of trick would be his style. Maybe it's not that farfetched - DeVito was walking around a bit after he left the game, and he was in the medical tent for ~20 minutes. Presumably the medical staff thought there was a chance they could patch him back up..with a week of recovery...idk - probably more wishful thinking and optimism.
 
#204      

Bbuck21

B
Bbuck21
Ransom Stoddard said:
Yep. Even with Tommy under center, Lunney calls a lot of very very short passes. When it's 3rd and 8, a pass to a receiver behind the LOS isn't going to get the desired result and it drives me mad. Maybe it's a personnel thing, maybe it's just a Lunney thing, but it makes for very, very frustrating 3rd downs.

I've said it before--we could have an interesting playbook with some 2 back sets, whether it's Brown/McCray, Brown/Love, McCray/Love, etc. So much potential for misdirection, putting guys in motion, maybe a little trickeration.
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I agree. I keep seeing the potential. I like what Lunney is doing. I think first he plays a game based on 4 downs not just 3. Which is kind of a refreshing approach. But, I think he is doing things slowly with all his tools. TDV fits his preference for a QB. With the RBs, WRs, and TEs we currently have many weapons and options. I'm giving Lunney the benefit of the doubt that he is slowly increasing the offensive versatility. He probably wants to do things he thinks the entire unit can do successfully. Then introduce more. I hope we have him for 2 more seasons. It will be fun to see what he does with Sitkowski this week in practice. TDV probably doesn't need to take the most reps even if he could. I will be loving the MN game either way.
 
#205      

ChiefGritty

ChiefGritty
Chicago, IL
ChiefGritty
Bbuck21 said:
I'm giving Lunney the benefit of the doubt that he is slowly increasing the offensive versatility.
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He was throwing the kitchen sink at Iowa while TDV was in the game on Saturday and didn't really stop with Art.

I thought he had a very interesting and candidly telling comment in his media availability yesterday. He said that when he realized TDV was done for the day he made the decision to himself that with Iowa being such an outstanding defense that the offense needed to stick to the gameplan they had worked on during the week.

I don't share his confidence in Art's ability to run the offense, but regardless, that was an interesting and fair perspective I wouldn't have thought of.

Unfortunately, if Lunney's gameplan for Saturday is predicated on unpredictably changing the point of attack with quick rhythm throws to the outside the way he likes to do, that bill is going to come due.
 
#206      

DeonThomas

DeonThomas
South Carolina
DeonThomas
RML said:
I have that same sneaky suspicion. I thought I detected a smile on his face when he said there was doubt about whether those guys would be back.
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Monday Morning Quarterbacks with Tate/Barnhart (paraphrasing): DeVito was spotted on the bike during the game, working his leg/ankle; and then was seen after the game at his family's tailgate, and looked pretty normal. It may be an interesting decision by BB if DeVito is 80-90%.

On that same show, a gentleman called-in and mentioned that his son came up with the name Orange Krush for our 2022 defense. (I personally like it, but it could be patent infringement of the old Denver Broncos Super Bowl defense....)
 
#207      

Illini_1979

Illini_1979
Oregon
Illini_1979
DeonThomas said:
Agreed. Pretty certain it will be Art this Saturday, with DeVito getting two full weeks in his attempt to heal the ankle.

And I'm more bullish on SItkowski than most. He's a great team guy, and he has BB's respect. He has a solid arm, even though he's not terribly accurate. He's got a great QB mentality and he's gutsy (as evidenced by his shoulder-first dive on his 8 yard run last week). He also started a number of games for us last year while Peters was hurt/out. And before that he got ample experience at Rutgers. He's very well-seasoned for a back-up QB.

However, I don't like the fact that we may have 4 starters, in total, missing the game. Another win over a Big 10 West challenger would be huge! Prognostication coming later this week......
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With the bye week after Minny doesn't that make it three full weeks for his ankle to heal before the next game?
 
#208      

Bbuck21

B
Bbuck21
ChiefGritty said:
He was throwing the kitchen sink at Iowa while TDV was in the game on Saturday and didn't really stop with Art.

I thought he had a very interesting and candidly telling comment in his media availability yesterday. He said that when he realized TDV was done for the day he made the decision to himself that with Iowa being such an outstanding defense that the offense needed to stick to the gameplan they had worked on during the week.

I don't share his confidence in Art's ability to run the offense, but regardless, that was an interesting and fair perspective I wouldn't have thought of.

Unfortunately, if Lunney's gameplan for Saturday is predicated on unpredictably changing the point of attack with quick rhythm throws to the outside the way he likes to do, that bill is going to come due.
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I completely agree. First, my comment was in regards to a question about more 2-back sets, etc. I agree he didn't change the game plan with Sitkowski in. I am wondering what Sitkowski might look like with 80% of the reps this week. I doubt Lunney would change his offense, at least I hope he doesn't, to accommodate Art. It might be interesting to see, but I'd rather have TDV.
 
#210      

EyeoftheIllini

EyeoftheIllini
EyeoftheIllini
GILL-INOIS said:
Depends on who is out there. I am a more traditional screen guy to the RB or Draw in certain situations. I know that is not what we do as much. If you have Art in and IW out we are going vanilla on offense. Just have to find ways to be more creative which was mentioned in the whole paragraph I wrote before.
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They need to come up with some new formations or wrinkles with the WR screens. Like half sacks, I give Lunney half a fumble on IW’s receiving fumble. Everyone knew that play was coming and the defender just made a beeline to IW.
 
#213      

DeonThomas

DeonThomas
South Carolina
DeonThomas
ILL vs MIN Prognostication:

MIN advantages:
- Two weeks of preparation
- More healthy and well-rested
- Tanner Morgan at QB (assuming DeVito is out)
- Kicking/Special teams
- Illini got beat-up by Iowa, with 5 crucial players now questionable

ILL advantages:
- Home field
- Coaching & preparation
- Defense
- Offensive Line (MIN with 4 new linemen vs. 2021)

A really tough prediction this week, particularly not knowing our QB. I'm 4-2 in predicting the winner. I thought we'd beat IND and lose to UVA. It should be tight all the way, but I'm siding with Vegas ---- and my early-in-the-week call is:

23 MIN
17 ILL
 
#214      

dbeaverfg

dbeaverfg
dbeaverfg
DeonThomas said:
ILL vs MIN Prognostication:

MIN advantages:
- Two weeks of preparation
- More healthy and well-rested
- Tanner Morgan at QB (assuming DeVito is out)
- Kicking/Special teams
- Illini got beat-up by Iowa, with 5 crucial players now questionable

ILL advantages:
- Home field
- Coaching & preparation
- Defense
- Offensive Line (MIN with 4 new linemen vs. 2021)

A really tough prediction this week, particularly not knowing our QB. I'm 4-2 in predicting the winner. I thought we'd beat IND and lose to UVA. It should be tight all the way, but I'm siding with Vegas ---- and my early-in-the-week call is:

23 MIN
17 ILL
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Good takes but, after last week I'm not so sure that kicking/special teams are a MN advantage.
 
#218      

Chukwuwumba

Chukwuwumba
Chukwuwumba
Chukwuwumba said:
This week don’t believe in analytics lol.
https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1579837710868488192
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If I’m reading this right….
Way to attack Minny defense is run (relatively lower def success rate vs pass). That’s good.

Their offense apparently doesn’t get a lot of 1st downs on 1st/2nd Down but very good on third down. Maybe consistent positive plays for 3rd and manageable? Keep it 3rd in long (obviously)
 
#220      

Joel Goodson

Joel Goodson
respect my decision™
Joel Goodson
DeonThomas said:
Monday Morning Quarterbacks with Tate/Barnhart (paraphrasing): DeVito was spotted on the bike during the game, working his leg/ankle; and then was seen after the game at his family's tailgate, and looked pretty normal. It may be an interesting decision by BB if DeVito is 80-90%.

On that same show, a gentleman called-in and mentioned that his son came up with the name Orange Krush for our 2022 defense. (I personally like it, but it could be patent infringement of the old Denver Broncos Super Bowl defense....)
Click to expand...

If DeVito is ~80%, I think he'll play. Art will probably start, but if the offense struggles, it'll be DeVito time.

If DeVito is 90%, he'll start.

I could be wrong, lol.

But not about Minny. They're pretty good, but hardly world beaters. Let's drink their milkshake.
 
#221      

RML

R
RML
DeonThomas said:
ILL vs MIN Prognostication:

MIN advantages:
- Two weeks of preparation
- More healthy and well-rested
- Tanner Morgan at QB (assuming DeVito is out)
- Kicking/Special teams
- Illini got beat-up by Iowa, with 5 crucial players now questionable

ILL advantages:
- Home field
- Coaching & preparation
- Defense
- Offensive Line (MIN with 4 new linemen vs. 2021)

A really tough prediction this week, particularly not knowing our QB. I'm 4-2 in predicting the winner. I thought we'd beat IND and lose to UVA. It should be tight all the way, but I'm siding with Vegas ---- and my early-in-the-week call is:

23 MIN
17 ILL
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Where's that negative like button? 😄
 
#223      

JFGsCoffeeMug

JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
Chicago
JFGsCoffeeMug
We out-Wisconsin'd Wisconsin by winning in the trenches and establishing our run game.
We out-Iowa'd Iowa by shutting down their offense and relying on made FGs.

I'm looking forward to seeing what it looks like to out-Minnesota Minnesota. I can only assume BB and staff are cooking up something good.
 
#224      

hooraybeer

hooraybeer
Pittsburgh, PA
hooraybeer
Joel Goodson said:
If DeVito is ~80%, I think he'll play. Art will probably start, but if the offense struggles, it'll be DeVito time.

If DeVito is 90%, he'll start.

I could be wrong, lol.

But not about Minny. They're pretty good, but hardly world beaters. Let's drink their milkshake.
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Drink Bar GIF by Puss In Boots
 
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