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Pregame: Illinois vs Purdue, Saturday, November 12th, 11:00am CT, ESPN2
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redwingillini11
White and Sixth
- North Aurora
Based on the other events yesterday it’s pretty safe to assume that had we won we would have gotten College Gameday. They haven’t even announced a location yet the board is so weak. That is a pretty disappointing consequence….
What bothers me is not the unclinched West title or lost CFP hopes, because it’s still been an outstanding season with mostly great playing that exceeded expectations. Well done! What does bother me is how we played yesterday. Our D obviously, but that’s easily dismissed as an uncharacteristic day rather than a weakness going forward. However, the timid offensive play-calling described above was predictable enough to be thwarted by any decent team. It remains a big weakness. It’s tough to watch a game lost while playing with one hand tied behind our backs.
It’s because the fans are so used to losing that when there is a set back, they are hesitant to come out again. This will improve with time.
It literally makes no sense? How often will Illinois football be in this position realistically?
They need our support now!
Wise advice from your professor and fair points by you and others about needing to take advantage now.I truely mean this in the best way possible…I hope you are right. I said the same thing in 2001 and 2007, hell even in 2010. I think my old man muttered similar words in 1963, 1983, 1989. It’s a hard place to win. To paraphrase an Iowa State professor of mine back in 2007 debating weather I head out to Pasadena, “you have to go to the Rose bowl. People down in Champaign don’t even know what to do with a good football team. Maybe once a century this happens.” He was born in Champaign and graduated cum laude from U of I. After all the debate, I went to the Rose bowl.
I might be too optimistic on our future outlook under BB - giving too much weight to what he achieved in the Big Ten in the past. I don't know. But I hope this year's team isn't the best he'll ever have at Illinois.
Illini92and96
- Austin, TX
That’s the point 72. It’s about emotion as an Illini fan, which can be so overwhelming cynical, that even when logic dictates otherwise we see Doom and gloom. We need a period of relative success to build the optimism back.
I agree with this. I think we’re going to be in a good position for a while under Bielema. What set this program back though was when they fired Zook and hired Beckman as his replacement and that’s why your not seeing that much support yet. Beckman single handedly destroyed the program. Lovie Smith started getting this program on the right track but just couldn’t quite sustain it.
I agree, I will be there. I've calmed down since yesterday. If we can win Saturday, beat NW and go 9-3, its the best season since the 2007 Rose Bowl. That is so much more than expected.
I was disappointed with the student section yesterday. Our bad teams and coaches have lost an entire generation of student fan base (many now young alumni). It will take several years of sustained success to get us back to regularly full stadiums.
I'll be there next week, but only because I already bought the tickets weeks ago. I do regret going to the game yesterday though. Big waste of time and money to sit through that performance.
Yep. I feel like they will go to Tulane for the top 25 matchup between UCF and Tulane
I was shocked (and disappointed) when they showed glimpses of the NEZ and East Main student sections. Was really expecting more for a 3:30 start time against a conference opponent with the possibility of moving into the top 15 on the line (and Game Day next week).
Take no team for granted. Northwestern gave OSU all it wanted yesterday and will play inspired ball against us. Purdue got blitzed yesterday at home by Iowa so will be fired up to correct their issues...just like us. Just play well. Can't play poorly and make mistakes and expect to win.
Exactly, if we play like we did against MSU we won't beat Northwestern.
I know it certainly looks...improbable, at this point, but I am amazed at how nearly every single post I've seen is chalking up the Michigan game as a guaranteed loss. I'm not willing to assume that as a given just yet.
The team will still be traveling to Ann Arbor, a game will still be played, and who knows what could happen? We might catch them looking ahead a bit with "The Game" being the following weekend, and with their guard let down slightly by our loss yesterday. Just saying...
That having been said, GO ILLINI, BEAT PURDUE!
The team will still be traveling to Ann Arbor, a game will still be played, and who knows what could happen? We might catch them looking ahead a bit with "The Game" being the following weekend, and with their guard let down slightly by our loss yesterday. Just saying...
That having been said, GO ILLINI, BEAT PURDUE!
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Yeah, and I’ll be pumped to be there. But our fickle and jaded fan base will probably lead to an attendance of 45k, and that’s a letdown. All I was saying, really.
In years past, we have always blown games we were 'supposed' to win. It happens to many teams. 7-2 this year is a huge stepping stone for the program, and if we can win the West and play a close game at Michigan, it'll be a huge stepping stone for the program.
The main thing that gives me optimism that I have not had for our football program in many years, is that despite the loss, we should have/could have won (same with the Indiana game). In years past, we'd have been blown out in this type of game. These guys are very well coached, and we look like a very good team, aside from our red zone issues (and punting).
The main thing that gives me optimism that I have not had for our football program in many years, is that despite the loss, we should have/could have won (same with the Indiana game). In years past, we'd have been blown out in this type of game. These guys are very well coached, and we look like a very good team, aside from our red zone issues (and punting).
I'm not saying I feel this way, but I understand that people are sick of paying good money to see a lousy product. Even though we have a 7 - 2 record, yesterday's performance was very reminiscent of the past years teams. Frankly I think people feel like we have not been playing well, but getting lucky and playing weak teams. Yesterday we couldn't get by on luck against a talented yet short handed MSU team that frankly everyone thought we should dominate. It kind of just feels like same old same old sloppy, undisciplined play that we are used to. It may be difficult to get people back in the seats until that perception changes and they haven't seen enough good football to change that perception yet. Just my 2 cents worth of opinion.
Gameday going to Tcu @ Texas and Fox Big Noon Kickoff going to Ohio St for their game against Indiana..
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100% the 4 yd pile of dust, ball control approach works when the defense holds teams to 9 points but if not, have to open things up!
honestly, it looked like IW would have gotten open if he only ran either a crossing route or that crossing route/dig into an out on every play they were in man coverage.
Illini92and96
- Austin, TX
Let’s not forget we had 440 yards and gave up 290. Both of those are very good results in isolation. Let’s repeat that yardage delta the next couple years and see how our record turns out.
Assuming we adjust red zone play calling and can get into the end zone, we will win.
I do see Purdue putting 24-31 points on the board so we will need to get into the end zone.
I do see Purdue putting 24-31 points on the board so we will need to get into the end zone.
We WAY over paid for it . . .
Illini92and96
- Austin, TX
We lost by eight while we out-gained them, with a chance to tie at the end. While disappointing, It wasn’t a lousy waste-of-time like losing 63-0 to Iowa.
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