Pregame: Illinois vs Ohio State, Saturday, October 11th, 11:00am CT, FOX

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#126      
Epsilon
Yeah you still get to play the game. We’ve beaten tOSU before and played the spoiler, and we’re better than usual for sure. Even though this game scares me I’m still gonna watch and cheer us on.
 
#127      
Illini4Chief
We have to do something quick about our Defence, especially the pass defense.......Saw a lot of missed tackles, players seemingly out of position, and Receivers moving the ball with minimal contact. Need some work here quick...
 
#128      
IlliniHardwood
illiram said:
We have an opportunity to make history on Saturday. Man to man, they are more talented than us. But that's why the games are played. Talent does not always prevail. That's why they played the Penn State-UCLA game and look what happened there.

I want so badly to win this game.

Illini 42
Buckeyes 41

......in an instant OT thriller classic!!!!!
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I don't know about the predicted score, but I agree with this. Illinois fandom is fun because we always have a chance. In these last few seasons, we have much better chances at big wins and big seasons than we've had in at least a decade. BB has brought the program to a place and level that's too exciting and too promising to be "happy with losing by __ points" even if it is tOSU. We have a formidable team. Maybe on paper and to the talking heads, it doesn't compare to tOSU. But, the days are gone where they can treat this like a cruise week against a B1G bottom feeder or even an FCS opponent (when Beckman was here). I will be elated with a win and disappointed with a loss this week. As another poster recently stated and I'll echo it, I'll never pick against the Illini.
 
#129      
TheChief4Life
Keep in mind.... CFP doesn't have to take conference rankings into effect. If USC and Illinois are both 10-2, USC has just as good of a chance to get in as Illinois.
I'm already on record as saying I don't see how a 10-2 Illinois team gets in anyway unless Indiana and OSU run the table.

Quite honestly, as cool as the playoffs would be, unless we're hosting a game (just for the atmosphere), I don't see us having the fire power or defense to last in a bona fide playoff game this year. A high end bowl game seems much more manageable given the current makeup of the team.
 
#131      
WeWillWhen
orangem said:
Illini at 10-2 will only get in the CFP if OSU game is very competitive. Two blowout losses + no great wins = no playoffs (as it should be).
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IIRC, there were only two 10-2 P4 teams that didn't get in last year, FSU and BYU. And looking back a decade, its fairly rare to have more than 12-14 two loss teams. So, IMO, every 10-2 team in the B1G and SEC will get in.
 
#133      
Todd99
illini80 said:
I’ve decided I’m going to enjoy the day. Any positivity from the game will be a bonus. OSU is unlikely to shoot themselves in the foot or drop 10 passes like PU did, but if we can play sound fundamental ball and stay healthy I’ll take whatever the result is. We still have a shot at a great season.
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I’m with you. I’ve had more fun watching Illinois football in the last three years than I’ve probably had in the last 23 years.

I just don’t get into all the analyzing and agonizing and hand wringing and predictions over something I have no control over anyway.

I’ll be there Saturday, and we’ll have two grandkids in tow, ages 8 and 12. They don’t know who Ohio St. is or even care. They don’t understand bowl games or the CFP or 3rd down conversion percentage. They love going to games and being in the exciting atmosphere of live college sports. And they like the Illini because I do.

Win or lose we’ll be back home by 5:00 and the grill will be lit and we’ll have a great fall Saturday night with family. The beer might taste better after beating the #1 team in the country, but life will go on.

Maybe I’m in the minority or just old fashioned but the FamILLy motto rings true for me, and that’s more important and lasting than any win-loss record or bowl game bid.

Just enjoy the ride and whatever happens, happens.
 
#134      
Curbelo Fanboy
I suspect we will snap the ball with less than 5 on play clock a lot in this game. Controlled passing and some running to control the clock as much as possible

Have to convert any mistakes OSU gives us into 7 and not 3.

It’s rare for a team to have a chance at redemption so soon after a disaster like Bloomington was. If we keep this one close it tells the country that game was a bit of an outlier

I have full trust that Bret will have something cooked up for this one. I don’t know what it will be but he has a solid track record in big spots.

And we have the better qb in this game. The OSU guy may eventually be better but Luke is more experienced and proven. Maybe he can go to that extra gear this week and just sling it around all day.
 
#137      
RML
The o-line, or the food poisoning crew? 🫩
 
#138      
ChiefKingfisher
illiram said:
We have an opportunity to make history on Saturday. Man to man, they are more talented than us. But that's why the games are played. Talent does not always prevail. That's why they played the Penn State-UCLA game and look what happened there.

I want so badly to win this game.

Illini 42
Buckeyes 41

......in an instant OT thriller classic!!!!!
Click to expand...

No way we’re gonna drop 42 on their defense. Ohio State has only allowed 2 TDs all season. If we win this game, it will take a strong defensive effort to keep it low-scoring.
 
#139      
BlueFlag
"D-Fence" are those silly signs some fans in the stadium hold up during a game.

(Sorry, I couldn't resist . . . ) :)

Yes, our defense could be improved.
 
#141      
Iamgroot
No he day does have those type of losses sadly he saves them for Michigan
 
#142      
Iamgroot
ChiefKingfisher said:
No way we’re gonna drop 42 on their defense. Ohio State has only allowed 2 TDs all season. If we win this game, it will take a strong defensive effort to keep it low-scoring.
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Sadly the 2 things we have to do to even have a chance in keeping it a close game we dont do well.defense has to get stops and we got to run the ball good which has really been inconsistent thus far this season
 
#143      
WolfpackIllini
You know what bodes well?
OSU just beat Minny 42-3
The pundits are saying the only tough game OSU has left is Michigan,
and MAYBE OSU can beat Michigan, which would be good, because Michigan has won more recently.
And OSU is not gonna take anyone seriously who just got beat by Indiana by 53.
Trap game.
 
#145      
WeWillWhen
I went back and watched the tOSU/Washington game. The Huskies really hung in there for the first three quarters, and actually could have been leading had they not self destructed multiple times in the Red Zone. There are things they did on offense that Illinois definitely can replicate.

On the defensive side, I don’t think we have a snowball’s chance in Hades of stopping Jeremiah Smith on crossing routes. (Gulp).
 
#146      
Brosky
I just want us to play up to our ability and challenge them. No more 63-`10 debacles. And finish the game with no serious injuries.
 
#149      
Chief512
Defensively we are ranked 93rd in total yards, 116th in passing yards, 62nd in rushing yards, 72nd in points allowed, and 105th in 3rd down %. Wish I could be optimistic. Take out WIU and Western Michigan and we’re giving up 490 total yards.
 
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