Look. I understand why everyone feels the way that they do but I do believe that we will look different this week. I am not saying that we will win. But I do not believe that this game will resemble anything like the last one. This offensive line is much better than they have been playing. Go back and look at the bowl game last year. That was a great defensive line we played against and they did well. While I am concerned about the secondary, they will have most everyone back (provided Bailey is back) with the exception of X. I just don't see it happening 2 weeks in a row. You know what, I am going against the grade. Illini find a way 31-28.
Pregame: Illinois vs USC, Saturday, September 27th, 11:00am CT, FOX
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Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
Curbelo Fanboy
BERTBALL IS LIFE
Any tactical thoughts on offense? My guess is that we come out in a bunch of jumbo 2TE sets or a barge/mini barge type of formation to try to instill some physicality from the start. Question is can some of that be productive enough to get us an earlyish score & some confidence. If we can get something going on offense, I have confidence that Bret knows how to play the game (drain the clock, play it close to the vest) to cover for a beat up secondary.
I suspect we do some good things but have one of those patented Illini home collapses in the 2nd half. Hey, not like it hasn't happened once or 50 times before in the last 30 years.
I suspect we do some good things but have one of those patented Illini home collapses in the 2nd half. Hey, not like it hasn't happened once or 50 times before in the last 30 years.
Lunney has been frustrating and soul crushing, with the occasional flash of brilliance, for years now. We need several flashes of brilliance all strung together for this one.
We need more sweeps, shoot, run the option with KF. Play action would help but this constant run up the gut when you have blockers who cannot block properly to create leverage is the problem. Leman is correct, we are blocking to high and that is why we are getting beat as badly as we are in the trenches. I was a WR in HS and even my high school coach said blocking lower than the pads gives you more control to hold that block longer.
The start is simply the most important factor in this game (at least for Illinois).
please no barge lol if are starting 5 linemen aren’t getting it done why would we want their back ups also on the field.
It wouldn’t surprise me to see us come out in an I formation or pistol so we can run more down hill.
The problem with running sweeps is we also don’t have blocking on the edges. We need to run more hard hitting plays. A lot of the stuff we’ve been running is slow developing
I understand not picking us to win but getting beat by 20 or 30? Comon lol
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
I mean, I guess it would be an improvement from Saturday night.
With that said, I do expect a close contest, and one that I think the Illini can win. They just have to play a clean football game for 60 minutes (which they have yet to do so far this season).
If they learned how to block it might help too, but I wouldn't count on it.I mean, I guess it would be an improvement from Saturday night.
With that said, I do expect a close contest, and one that I think the Illini can win. They just have to play a clean football game for 60 minutes (which they have yet to do so far this season).
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Curbelo Fanboy
BERTBALL IS LIFE
Thats a possibility also. I'm not an expert by any stretch. Was just taking some guesses based on Bret's tendencies & how he likes to play the game. Of course they could come out throwing on every down to try to catch USC off guard. Tho that could get Luke in Carle by halftime if our pass blocking doesn't improve.
A wild Jay Inslee former governor of Washington State appears.
Several of us here are surprised. Possibly triggered.
Last year they switched to more gap blocking and had success. Maybe we see more trap blocking also. I would hope after last weeks performance the oline comes out with a chip on their shoulder
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pruman91
- interviewing new NL's daily....I really really am
I mean, I guess it would be an improvement from Saturday night.
With that said, I do expect a close contest, and one that I think the Illini can win. They just have to play a clean football game for 60 minutes (which they have yet to do so far this season).
Giving Illinois some credit there, like scoring....
Aidan Laughrey will be the breath of fresh air this offense desperately needs. He hits the hole quickly and is able to get to the outside. Hopefully KF is relegated to 3rd and longs and has worked on his pass blocking footwork all week. Laughrey’s success on runs and screens will open up the play action pass game. Call me crazy, but we come out victorious 31-24.
Having bowick back will also help a lot.
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