Pregame: Illinois vs Penn State, Friday, September 21st, 8:00pm CT, FS1
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Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
I can't see the Illini scoring more than 7 in this game. Penn State big.
Deleted member 631370
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The only way this game is remotely competitive is if Penn State completely overlooks the game and looks ahead to the following week's White Out game vs. Ohio State.
The bad news for Illinois is that James Franklin is among the very best at focusing his teams. He got a scare from a pretty good App State team, but he hasn't lost to an unranked team since September of 2016.
The bad news for Illinois is that James Franklin is among the very best at focusing his teams. He got a scare from a pretty good App State team, but he hasn't lost to an unranked team since September of 2016.
A 3rd consecutive cover is the goal here.
I'm hoping the guys play hearts out. Also, that suspended players are back and Bush is ready to go. No offense to Rivers, but Bush seems to be the better option right now. We will need long, sustained drives and find a way to score pretty much every possession. We may lose, but we can avoid a blow out.
Higher, I'd guess. 21.5
SampsonRelpenk
- Edwardsville, IL
This, with it ballooning a few points by Friday.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Just listened to the Austin Roberts interview on IlliniBoard & we will have our suspended players back for this one. That helps.
Illiini
- In the land of the Nittany Lion
Remind me, what was the second half score against Kent State? We scored 28 points, right? That’s more indicative of what this team can do, I think. If we double that, we get 56 points.
That said, the Saggy Baggy Lions (what a pathetic mascot) had a slow start, and then put its second (and third string?) in against Kent-Not-A-State. So this is starting to get messy.
But then add that we’re getting OUR first string defensive backfield feet al. for the first time...and the KNAS comparison goes completely out the window.
That said, I hope we hang with PSU through the first half, then after halftime adjustments, we don’t fold.
Whatever the line is, I think we beat the spread. At least I hope so. My PSU friend’s after church here in PA were laying it on pretty thick. (Hey, guys, this is church. Can’t we take it outside at least?) I need respectability.
Soxfreak64
- Bloomington
45-17 PSU, 31-7 at half.
Night game and suspended players back gives the team a boost and they hang in their early. I think we keep it under 10 until Penn St runs away with it in the 3rd.
Bad news is that Penn St is really good and will likely win this one going away. Now the good news:
Hopefully we are returning significant help this week on both sides of the ball.
Once this game is over I believe we will have played the two most physically talented rosters on our schedule.
Hopefully we are returning significant help this week on both sides of the ball.
Once this game is over I believe we will have played the two most physically talented rosters on our schedule.
Illini_1979
- Oregon
This looks like a trap game for Penn State.
I agree. Think it will play out like UNC in 2016. We come out energized and play right with them until late in the 3rd. Then PSU pulls away due to their superior talent and depth.
We're not getting blown out. I think those days are over
I think we cover. Will be interesting to see which way the line moves throughout the week.
Gotta think it moves down at least a little. I mean Penn St really is that good but it’s still a conference road game in prime time. We see upsets or at least close games in those conditions pretty much every year in the B1G.
If they do get thier doors blown off, they need to forget it quick b/c there are a lot of winnable games out there
With suspended players back and hopefully both motivated and 100% healthy, I think that Illinois will hang around until late and lose by 14 or less. I am not convinced that Penn State is particularly explosive, and I think that the defense has done a great job of making teams put together long drives in order to score this year. PSU will do that, and will score plenty, but the long drives give the defense more opportunities to take the ball away. Illinois' defense will be poor all year long in the "total defense"/yards allowed category, but I think that the scoring defense will be a significant improvement over last year.
Keys to the game:
-Illinois offense needs to have 0 turnovers
-Defense needs to create 2+ turnovers. Welcome back Bennett Williams.
-Five or less penalties, and zero ejections
-Special teams must remain special
-Run on first down. All. Game. Long. Feed Epstein, but give Corbin touches early and often too
-Dorsey up the seam. Dorsey up the seam. Dorsey up the seam. Man have I missed seeing that. Hope he goes off in his first game back.
-Get Smalling 5+ touches
Wildcard that is entirely unknown but could help significantly:
-Jamal Milan returning
Penn State 31
Illinois 20
Keys to the game:
-Illinois offense needs to have 0 turnovers
-Defense needs to create 2+ turnovers. Welcome back Bennett Williams.
-Five or less penalties, and zero ejections
-Special teams must remain special
-Run on first down. All. Game. Long. Feed Epstein, but give Corbin touches early and often too
-Dorsey up the seam. Dorsey up the seam. Dorsey up the seam. Man have I missed seeing that. Hope he goes off in his first game back.
-Get Smalling 5+ touches
Wildcard that is entirely unknown but could help significantly:
-Jamal Milan returning
Penn State 31
Illinois 20
I think it will come down as well and probably settle in around -24 or so.
Good summation. I think it is easy to forget how important the 5 guys returning this week are. 1 Freshman All-American and 3 first Team All Big Ten Freshman from last year. I think that will add a lot of confidence to this team. I will be very disappointed if we don't keep this thing close for 2.5 to 3 quarters at least. We definitely wore down against South Florida (who did the exact same thing to Ga Tech the week before). I think the formula remains the same for this team going forward.
-Dominate Special Teams
-Win turnover Battle
-Win Penalty Battle
Penn St will likely beat us by 3 touchdowns, but if we stick to the formula while adding 5 significant contributors going forward? I think better days are coming soon.
the national
- the Front Range
I think this could get ugly if we turn it over, or commit a lot of penalties. I think PSU will hold a (2) touchdown lead at half 10-24 and we make a push late in the 3rd but lose 20-42. I really wish different but I cant see us stopping McSquirrely. The kid can scramble and make plays.
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