The NEZ was full up until halftime at the Murray State game. I think if we continue to show promise, the stands will fill themselves.
Pregame: Illinois vs North Carolina, Saturday, September 10th, 6:30pm CT, BTN
- Status
The NEZ was full up until halftime at the Murray State game. I think if we continue to show promise, the stands will fill themselves.
Deleted member 29907
D
Guest
On paper we match up pretty well - which is likely why the 9.5 points. It should be pretty simple to kick away from a kickoff threat.
Not sure we know too much about our run game yet. Struggled with Vaughn carrying the ball, then broke some big runs against the backups of a bad FBS team.
I think we will keep it close and have a chance in the 4th quarter.
I'm going to say that this is the first candidate game to be won by the coaching staff, as so many have commented prior to this game. I expect the players to give it their best shot, but in the end, it will be something the coaching staff does to eventually win it.
I wouldn't lay the 9.5 here but UNC has a good O-Line, 2 excellent running backs and at least 3 game breaking receivers. Combine this with a QB while unproven, is a dual threat. On paper they should beat us soundly.
Home game, new coaches with full buy in, night game and Carolina off an emotional loss equals close game in my betting world.
From what Lovie has said he expects a high level of execution instead of complex schemes. So I think the players will have to win this on game day.
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
That's a pretty good point, but I don't think they are mutually exclusive.
For example, coaches could call for a punt on 4th and 3 where some might want to go for it, then the ST covers it on the 2 and the D forces a safety.
Lots of ways for the coaches and the players to collectively win this, I think. Still, I like your summary, as it sounds very Lovie-esque
And there were probably 20,000 Buckeye fans at that game.
Everyone here is saying they'll be happy if we put up a fight, but not me. I want to win this one and I think we can. If this were a top 15 team we were facing I'd agree, but UNC isn't even ranked right now. If we can pull off wins like the win over a ranked Minnesota team a couple years ago, why is this one so far out of reach with what should hopefully be a better Illini team?
I'm not saying I expect us to win, just that we shouldn't be satisfied with close losses against unranked teams at home.
I'm not saying I expect us to win, just that we shouldn't be satisfied with close losses against unranked teams at home.
Last edited:
Hard to put any stock in rankings this early in the season but they lost a close game to a perennial power in their backyard which is hardly a reason to get booted from top 25. I think they are still one of 25 best teams at end of season.
A close loss will irritate me, but I suspect it will show great progress from which we came
UNC isn't ranked because they lost a competitive game to a good Georgia team, while ranked. Should they have held on to their ten point lead Lovie kept referring to, there's a good chance they could be in that top 20/top 15 area. Also UNC now>that Minny team you're referencing. UNC has multiple players with NFL talent scattered about. This is a good team on a different level that is deeper in to their rebuild. Considering our recent past, competitiveness is a solid bar to set. Nobody would say competitive is ok in 3-4 years, which is where UNC is under fedora.. It's relative.
Illini_1979
- Oregon
YES!!! I get to see it live here on the left coast without BTN2GO!
GO ILLINI!!!
:thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb:
The cigarette smokers had about 470 yards last year. We had about 400. We went up and down the field. I hate to say Lung was 15 - 32 because they was a lot of dropped passes. Convert on stupid 4th and goals, don't drop passes, make 2 field goals instead of miss them, ya got a total different game.
This years game!
This years game!
Probably best to let that argument go in a 34 point game and realize it is a new year with much better coaching and hopefully execution.
Normally when I see one team with a high-powered offense, but questionable run defense, and another team with a decent offense but solid Defensive line, I go with the solid D team over the solid O team. However, being a lifelong Illini fan and knowing that we are in year #1 of LovieBall, I want to temper my expectations.
But I can't, Team A can't stop the run, Team B can. I'll take team B.
(Also team B is playing a home prime time game and being coached by a former NFL coach who reached the Super Bowl with Rex Grossman at QB)
Illini 34 - UNC 26.
But I can't, Team A can't stop the run, Team B can. I'll take team B.
(Also team B is playing a home prime time game and being coached by a former NFL coach who reached the Super Bowl with Rex Grossman at QB)
Illini 34 - UNC 26.
I think JW should do something like the Chicago bulls. I know there aren't player introductions in football but a few minutes before kick off they could turn the lights down with just the orange lights on. Have a hype video with music blasting. Then have a great start to the game.
That's all ��
That's all ��
Jonnymo, this is what I sent the U of I a week ago. Sounds like we are on the same page, just slightly different styles..
was thinking, wouldn't it be highly motivational for the players and the fans for the intro to be ala Chicago Blackhawks style.
Show parts of the press conference of when Josh Whitman took the job and have that in audio, then show highlights from years past ( the 1983 team when Rooks went around right end to beat OSU, when we beat Bo and everyone stormed the field, the Mackovic teams, especially when we went 10-2 in 1989 and won the Citrus Bowl with Jeff George at QB, the Turner team that Josh was on that won the Big Ten and went to the Sugar Bowl, the Zook team with Mendenhal and Juice.... the show highlights of Lovie's press conference, and then finish on We Will Win ( I think it could be cut up and spliced and done to about 4 minutes time. Blackhawks get it done around that)
Then on the screen We Will Win
WE WILL WIN ..................
The student section starts chanting it, the mainstands, balconies , horseshoes.... Everyone chanting WE WILL WIN!!!!!!
Then the team takes the field. ......
I am ready to tackle someone right now just thinking about it...
Ummm...this sounds awesome. But if it's not followed by a win, they could never do it again.Jonnymo, this is what I sent the U of I a week ago. Sounds like we are on the same page, just slightly different styles..
was thinking, wouldn't it be highly motivational for the players and the fans for the intro to be ala Chicago Blackhawks style.
Show parts of the press conference of when Josh Whitman took the job and have that in audio, then show highlights from years past ( the 1983 team when Rooks went around right end to beat OSU, when we beat Bo and everyone stormed the field, the Mackovic teams, especially when we went 10-2 in 1989 and won the Citrus Bowl with Jeff George at QB, the Turner team that Josh was on that won the Big Ten and went to the Sugar Bowl, the Zook team with Mendenhal and Juice.... the show highlights of Lovie's press conference, and then finish on We Will Win ( I think it could be cut up and spliced and done to about 4 minutes time. Blackhawks get it done around that)
Then on the screen We Will Win
WE WILL WIN ..................
The student section starts chanting it, the mainstands, balconies , horseshoes.... Everyone chanting WE WILL WIN!!!!!!
Then the team takes the field. ......
I am ready to tackle someone right now just thinking about it...
The cigarette smokers were leading 20 - 7 at the half. That was with one illini mess up on 4th and goal and a bunch of drop passes played at their house on a nasty hot muggy not Illinois day. Believe what you wanna.
Jonnymo, this is what I sent the U of I a week ago. Sounds like we are on the same page, just slightly different styles..
was thinking, wouldn't it be highly motivational for the players and the fans for the intro to be ala Chicago Blackhawks style.
Show parts of the press conference of when Josh Whitman took the job and have that in audio, then show highlights from years past ( the 1983 team when Rooks went around right end to beat OSU, when we beat Bo and everyone stormed the field, the Mackovic teams, especially when we went 10-2 in 1989 and won the Citrus Bowl with Jeff George at QB, the Turner team that Josh was on that won the Big Ten and went to the Sugar Bowl, the Zook team with Mendenhal and Juice.... the show highlights of Lovie's press conference, and then finish on We Will Win ( I think it could be cut up and spliced and done to about 4 minutes time. Blackhawks get it done around that)
Then on the screen We Will Win
WE WILL WIN ..................
The student section starts chanting it, the mainstands, balconies , horseshoes.... Everyone chanting WE WILL WIN!!!!!!
Then the team takes the field. ......
I am ready to tackle someone right now just thinking about it...
I'm good with that too. Get this first sell out crowd and players pumped from the beginning!!
IlliniRocketFan
- Rochester, IL
Every article I have read disputes your O-line evaluation. If they are correct, our D-line should be able to keep the new QB running for his life all game. Can't wait for this game.
Or his running will wear out the defensive line. The defense played well last year until they wilted late in the third quarter. I hope the offense can generate some drives to keep them off the field. I have more confidence in the kicker this year than last.
Illinimedic
- Rochester, Illinois
Speaking of the d-line, we went 10 deep this past game. I realize it was an FCS opponent but that does provide some indication that the staff feels we have plenty of options there. As long as the offense moves the chains at a respectable rate I do not think fatigue along the front 7 will be a problem. That and it should be a nice, cool, low humidity night. We'll see soon enough.
- Status