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

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#526      
RockfordIllini
Started poking around Ohio State’s box scores and they aren’t nearly as impressive or dominant as you would think.

Obviously they took down #1 Texas which seemed like a big deal at the time but the sheen is definitely off that one. It was at the horseshoe and they only put up 200 yards of offense against a defense that gave up 450 to a pretty feckless Florida offense.

Washington is an impressive win in that they had won 22 in a row or whatever it was but they weren’t ranked and I think that’s a game you expect a #1 team to win, and they only won 24-6 while putting up a very pedestrian 350 yards of offense.

They put up 475 against Minnesota. I didn’t watch the game but I’m wondering how much of that was Minny’s D getting gassed because they had no quarterback.

So my back of the envelope math says they are only getting about 350 yards vs P4 opponents, and I actually think our wins at Duke and USC stack up pretty well against their wins against Washington and Texas.

All of which is to say their offense, while talented, hasn’t lit it up yet this year where I think we can keep it close. We managed to keep it close against Duke and USC who may not be as talented but certainly are very good offensive teams. And if it’s close in the 4th quarter, I will take my chances with Luke!
 
#527      
altgeld88
Detasseler6 said:
What does Gies want? You drop $100M, you probably have a say. 1. go back to grass - paint the chief on the 50 while you're at it. 2. If Univ won't do it, fan dress up as chief and come out of a random seat gate during 3/1. 3. Any SEC band playbook during each down - stop blaring music out of load speakers. I lost my hearing at Duke this year, speakers were insane. 4. Fan attitude - wake up illini nation. 5. Student section - stick around for the entire game.
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I grew up watching college ball in the '70s and '80s when only the marching bands provided music, and it was great. Duke last month, my friend, was like attending a string quartet recital compared with Rutgers last November, which was insane bordering on criminal.
 
#529      
lstewart53x3
RockfordIllini said:
Started poking around Ohio State’s box scores and they aren’t nearly as impressive or dominant as you would think.

Obviously they took down #1 Texas which seemed like a big deal at the time but the sheen is definitely off that one. It was at the horseshoe and they only put up 200 yards of offense against a defense that gave up 450 to a pretty feckless Florida offense.

Washington is an impressive win in that they had won 22 in a row or whatever it was but they weren’t ranked and I think that’s a game you expect a #1 team to win, and they only won 24-6 while putting up a very pedestrian 350 yards of offense.

They put up 475 against Minnesota. I didn’t watch the game but I’m wondering how much of that was Minny’s D getting gassed because they had no quarterback.

So my back of the envelope math says they are only getting about 350 yards vs P4 opponents, and I actually think our wins at Duke and USC stack up pretty well against their wins against Washington and Texas.

All of which is to say their offense, while talented, hasn’t lit it up yet this year where I think we can keep it close. We managed to keep it close against Duke and USC who may not be as talented but certainly are very good offensive teams. And if it’s close in the 4th quarter, I will take my chances with Luke!
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This game comes down to our offense’s ability to stay on the field.

Minnesota just couldn’t that. Their offense against Ohio State:

- 164 yards (94 passing / 68 rushing)
- 3.2 yards per play
- 1/11 on 3rd down (0/1 on 4th down)
- 7 punts on 8 possessions
 
#530      
lstewart53x3
Good thing we have the morning slot:

IMG_0046.jpeg
 
#534      
HensonHall71
the juiceman cometh said:
See, not really if you understand the whole point I was making.

Blitzes haven't worked against him. Not saying he does worse when not blitzed, just that blitzes haven't worked. Start with that fact.

Then factor in my earlier post where I pointed out that Minnesota was undone by big chunk plays and Washington kept OSUs score down by preventing those plays.

What blitzes do when they don't work (ie create enough pressure to force a bad result) is they take away defenders who can make a tackle after the catch. This increases the odds of a big play.

So even if blitzing and not blitzing are both unlikely to prevent a completion, if your goal is to not give up big plays, you'd rather not blitz. You really only want to blitz if it's going to tangibly affect the opposing QB's ability to complete passes. Which in OSU's case, it doesn't.
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I hear what you are saying- blitzes haven’t worked against him and they expose the defense more so we shouldn’t blitz. I just don’t reach the same conclusion.

You can’t cut his stats and find a weak spot anywhere because they have been so dominant. My point is, the best shot we have is to confuse him - like blitz him cover up his hot read, do delayed blitzes, show man and jump into zone at the snap etc. we’re not going to stop them just blitzing or staying back. We have to do something different than what he’s seen is my point.
 
#539      
PasadenaIllini
Indy Illini Fan said:
Defense starts clicking …

Luke Altmyer shows he’s not only the best QB in the Big Ten … He’s one of the best in the country …

The boy from Rochester shows up on the biggest stage …

Bowick scoring ? Book it … That man lives in the end zone …

Calil Valentine … Certified RB1 …

David Olano … For the win … 😎

Illinois - 31
Ohio State - 28
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There's one bit missing from this. Our O-line will have to block at a level they haven't yet blocked at this year, including in the USC game for this to come to pass.
 
#540      
blue84
CaptainCrutch said:
For tomorrow:

1. Shut up on offense.

2. Loud as hell on defense. Consistent noise every down. It ain’t that hard.

3. Don’t leave until the Illini win or they kick us out.
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Agree! Can't just wait to get loud until 3rd or 4th down. We need every little piece of advantage we can get. Everyone on their feet and loud!! If it's still a game in the 2nd half, the student section better still be full!

I'm waking up at 4 AM to head that way, not sure I'll get much sleep any ways.
 
#547      
ohioillini77
altgeld88 said:
I also like 1999: Unranked Illini 46 - #25 OSU 20 in Columbus.

As Bill Murray noted in Groundhog Day: "THAT was a pretty good day! Why couldn't I live THAT day over and over and over again."

I was at my nephew's christening that afternoon and almost fell off my chair when my brother told me the score.
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I was at the 1999, 2001 and 2007 games. I have been in Columbus since 1990 as Ohio State Professor. Saw wins in 1990 and 1992.
1977 Illinois graduate and went to my first game in Memorial Stadium in 1963. That being said Ohio State defensive coaching is excellent. Their receivers will have a field day with our bad pass defense. I am hoping for ga.e like USC ( was there), but predicting Indiana style beat down. Would love to be wrong and eat a big fat crow. ILL
 
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