Altmyer has 3 years of eligibility and was a much better caliber of recruit than any high school QB we've had lately (other than Isaiah).
Pregame: Illinois vs Toledo, Saturday, September 2nd, 6:30pm CT, BTN
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altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
Totally on board with you. Our offensive strategery regarding our first three opponents is utter lumacy.
Barry Lumacy, Jr., in fact.
This game will likely come down to how well we're able to run the ball and how well we're able to cover within 5-15yds of the line of scrimmage. With a new QB and Center and it being the first game of the season against a solid midmajor, some confusion and missed assignments can probably be expected, and same goes for some turnovers. But if we're getting 4-5yds a carry each time we run it, that'll alleviate a lot of pressure and we'll eventually wear them down. On defense, our line is an absolute beast, so the best way to deal with that is trying to get us to overpursue with screens, designed qb runs, and quick hitters and hot routes. If we can stay at home, jam in man, not miss assignments, and tackle, we should be okay.
That said, if Toledo sells out to stop the run and Luke can't take advantage of it in his first game playing for us, we'll struggle moving the football. As well, if our DBs are getting beat off the line of scrimmage or missing assignments leading to chunk plays off of quick slants and bubble screens, it could be some trouble there as well.
Overall, should be a good test for us. I do see us struggling in our first game, especially on offense, but defense stays strong and we get the job done in a grinder. Put me down for:
Illinois: 20
Toledo: 16
That said, if Toledo sells out to stop the run and Luke can't take advantage of it in his first game playing for us, we'll struggle moving the football. As well, if our DBs are getting beat off the line of scrimmage or missing assignments leading to chunk plays off of quick slants and bubble screens, it could be some trouble there as well.
Overall, should be a good test for us. I do see us struggling in our first game, especially on offense, but defense stays strong and we get the job done in a grinder. Put me down for:
Illinois: 20
Toledo: 16
This game will be extra special for me, personally - my first live Illini football game since @UNC in 2015 (rough day, that was...), and my first Illini game at Memorial Stadium this century! 
(I did catch a Bears game there during the Soldier Field renovation season)
I'm obviously very excited, but I expect this one to be closer than I think any of us would like. I'd certainly love to be proven wrong, though!
Huge opportunity to start this season off on solid footing and set the tone for the bigger matchups to follow the next two weeks.
I'll predict a 27-21 win.
I-L-L!
(I did catch a Bears game there during the Soldier Field renovation season)I'm obviously very excited, but I expect this one to be closer than I think any of us would like. I'd certainly love to be proven wrong, though!
Huge opportunity to start this season off on solid footing and set the tone for the bigger matchups to follow the next two weeks.
I'll predict a 27-21 win.
I-L-L!
Finish this statement for me: “Football games are won in the …”
Completion percentage for Finn was partially because of a new unbalanced and inexperienced OL, and being chased around, and because he was hurt most of the season... Shoulder, Ribs, Ankle... He didn't play in half of the SDSU game, got speared at the 10 yard line to end the UB game, missed EMU, BGSU, and played one drive vs. WMU. He wasn't 100% vs. OSU at all and still ran out of the pocket to throw 2 bombs down the field. One to Zsiros who is a 6'4 threat you forgot to mention at WR.
I literally believe Finn would start for every single B1G team but two considering the B1G has like 3 returning starters total. He's a 5th year junior with a lot to prove. The offense may look pretty different than 2022.
Kuhl and Torres are bigger threats pass catching in their young stages than Illinois' TEs. You'll have to wait and see on that one. TE room always produces here, and we have put 2 of our last TEs in the NFL to show for it. Your podcast put the O/u at 400 yards and 4.5 TDs for the whole room this season... blocking is great, but if they're not a threat to score or be used in the red zone, I like our style with the TEs more.
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
tight end room...apparently.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
trenches.......................they really really are...................
Hard to have a great room when it's your first season here....
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
But this is a schematic argument, not a talent argument. If you want to argue schemes - The Illinois secondary just put four guys in the NFL last year with three of them picked in the first three rounds. Toledo can't compete with that.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Not sure how many additional tickets we can realistically sell in ten days, but this is what ticket sales are looking like just from eyeballing it:
West Main: Probably packed ... vast majority of tickets sold.
West Balcony: Mostly full ... "low" availability. Side note, this section seems like a steal! Amazing seats for only $25?!
East Main: Mostly full ... "low" availability in most sections and singles in some. Which means the visible seats will be mostly full.
East Balcony: Pretty empty? Although maybe the fact that the top rows are even available on the website means we are doing decently well with sales.
Horseshoe: Looking about 60% full right now, but I swear that section is full even during our crowds of 35k, lol ... so a little hope there?
I know my obsession with attendance is a bit old and it simply takes time to build up the fan base again, but what Bret has accomplished so far here is nothing short of amazing, and I am not sure the attendance uptick reflects that yet. Again, these things tend to lag, but I wish we'd put a few more fans in the stands. If we can beat Toledo and then take our chances with KU, we should have a great crowd for PSU, though.
Beat Toledo!
West Main: Probably packed ... vast majority of tickets sold.
West Balcony: Mostly full ... "low" availability. Side note, this section seems like a steal! Amazing seats for only $25?!
East Main: Mostly full ... "low" availability in most sections and singles in some. Which means the visible seats will be mostly full.
East Balcony: Pretty empty? Although maybe the fact that the top rows are even available on the website means we are doing decently well with sales.
Horseshoe: Looking about 60% full right now, but I swear that section is full even during our crowds of 35k, lol ... so a little hope there?
I know my obsession with attendance is a bit old and it simply takes time to build up the fan base again, but what Bret has accomplished so far here is nothing short of amazing, and I am not sure the attendance uptick reflects that yet. Again, these things tend to lag, but I wish we'd put a few more fans in the stands. If we can beat Toledo and then take our chances with KU, we should have a great crowd for PSU, though.
Beat Toledo!
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
It’s not old. I like these updates.
And I'd bet the scheme and place to succeed at Illinois with current staff and players at DB will definitely surpass Toledo at some point this season or next. But game one with a new DC, and replacing safety (not to mention an injury to a veteran), and CB yall will be at a disadvantage September 2nd at that spot. Toledo has put dbs in the league as well. Tycen Anderson had 2 INTs with a pick 6 for the Bengals in week 1 of the preseason. Barry Church went to Toledo. But this is week 1 of a probable high year for Toledo, vs. week 1 of a probable decent season for the Illini.
For WMU in 2016, they lost by a TD in the cotton bowl to the 2nd place Wisconsin badgers. Good MAC teams in schedule spots (I believe this is), CAN and DO compete regularly with the bigten middle squads. 14 seasons in a row a MAC team has beaten a B1G team. My money would be on Akron over Indiana, or EMU over Minnesota before this one... but according to KFord this is the only MAC game of the season in the top 20 in the nation of competitiveness AND talent. Ranks #11 of week 1 CFB. Toledo will likely end with a top 50 offense and top 35 defense in 2023. UT was 73rd and 25th last season. How many teams is that better than on your schedule? 4, 5, 6? All in all I expect between a 3 and 14 pt win for Illinois. But the chance of an upset is higher than a 3 TD win in my opinion. It's why outlets are picking this upset galore. Its trenches vs. a high level QB and a squad who isn't dominated in any other facets talent wise.
As a 1st time visitor, how many fans did Wyoming bring. And are sections 110 and 109 usually the away fans? Does Wisconsin or Ohio State full up half of the stadium? Did NIU or any other local MAC teams bring fans when you last played?
If this game is close enough where poor special teams could sink us(unless it's a blocked punt for a TD or a kick return for a TD)....it's going to be a loooong year. Toledo, while not a total rummy, should be a three TD win. We have a significant leak somewhere if that's not the case.
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Guessing that Labor Day weekend might lighten the student attendance? We still need to prove that we can win consistently, it is Toledo and it is a holiday weekend.
Good Guys - 31
Bad Guys - 14
I HAVE to think that our defensive front is going to stuff the run and get enough pressure that a young(unproven) secondary should get some significant help with limiting blown coverages.
We should control the LOS on both sides. If not, I'll have a considerable amount of concerns moving forward. This is a game that we should win, fairly comfortably, but not in blowout fashion.
Bad Guys - 14
I HAVE to think that our defensive front is going to stuff the run and get enough pressure that a young(unproven) secondary should get some significant help with limiting blown coverages.
We should control the LOS on both sides. If not, I'll have a considerable amount of concerns moving forward. This is a game that we should win, fairly comfortably, but not in blowout fashion.
You just said it should be a 3 touchdown win 2 posts before this….then predicted a 17 point win….
Illini D gets 4 sacks and forces 2 turnovers. Offense sputters a bit but gets job done. 26-13 good guys.
Now I just need to figure out how many confidence points to give game because I have a feeling this will be one of the games in our pool.
Now I just need to figure out how many confidence points to give game because I have a feeling this will be one of the games in our pool.
Our DL will set the tone and flex on Toledo, especially in the 2nd half after Toledo is worn down. Finn is going to get up close and personal with Newton / Randolph / Jacas, all high-level NFL draft picks on our starting DL.
If Toledo can't come out quickly and put points up in the 1st half, the game will be over by the end of the 3rd quarter at the latest. Illinois is going to score on Toledo, I don't think Toledo is going to be able to score (enough) on Illinois. 31 - 13 good guys.
If Toledo can't come out quickly and put points up in the 1st half, the game will be over by the end of the 3rd quarter at the latest. Illinois is going to score on Toledo, I don't think Toledo is going to be able to score (enough) on Illinois. 31 - 13 good guys.
Same can be said about every team about unproven players and depth
Didn't Toledo lose their top 3 sack leaders from last season? Unless I am missing something Toledo looks very young and raw on the DL. That is something Illinois will look to exploit and control the line of scrimmage.
Illinois will be replacing a number of quality players in the secondary. They have also done that for a few years now. Illinois DL is very strong and while Toledo would love to exploit the secondary, will they have enough time consistently to do that? Toledo needs to run the ball effectively and take the Illinois DL out of the equation by getting the ball out quickly on passing downs.
I think this game being week 1 gives Toledo an advantage compared to later in the season. That being said I think the Illinois D is hands down better than Toledo D and Illinois might surprise offensively. This is the strongest and most depth at WR I remember Illinois having in a very long time. BB will gameplan for holes in the Toledo D and I look for them to get exploited.
2.5 touchdowns rounded up??????
I think we were looking at 45k tickets sold for this game (?). The problem is that 45k in attendance doesn't look good on TV because of how warped our stadium looks from past renovations. I really hope the stadium renovations come sooner rather than later, and that will lead to better attendance.
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