Evidently these “experts” didn’t actually watch our game Saturday.That’s the pretty universally held opinion of the program. And let’s face it, the Illini have not done much to garner a whole lot of benefit of the doubt over the last 25-30 years.
The ESPN article below predicts Illinois to go 4-8 (2-7). It came out after the Nebraska win. So basically, they’re predicting Illinois will go 1-3 against Virginia, Maryland, Purdue, and Rutgers, all teams they predict will win between 4 and 6 games. And then not beat either Minnesota or Northwestern, both predicted to win 7.
Projected standings and bold predictions for each Power 5 conference
Mark Schlabach predicts each of the Power 5's conference champions, players of the year, best games and even more ahead of Week 1.www.espn.com
Pregame: Illinois vs UTSA, Saturday, September 4th, 6:30pm CT, BTN
- Status
dgcrow
- Kelso, WA
Couldn't care less what the "experts", especially those at ESPN, think of the Illini.
It's always the same. We're always a fluke. Only sustained success will change that. Let's go Coach B!
Last edited:
Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
There's no reason to bother with any rankings (or really any other analysis on college sports) from ESPN, they own the SEC media rights. It's completely and utterly biased and has been for quite a long time, it's just much more obvious nowadays.
I have not forgotten the ESPN college football commercial from many years ago, where they showed little clips of game action, and the voice-over referred to “the teams you love, and the teams you love to hate”. And as the latter words were said, they showed a quick clip of the Illini.
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
Nobody cares enough about Illinois Football to hate it.
dgcrow
- Kelso, WA
Well, maybe a few Nebraska fans these days.
Oh come on now everyone. Stop your pity party’s. The 20’s are here and they belong to the Illini.
We got the 1-0 start, and what’s better than a 1-0 start? A 2-0 start. Need the DL to be disruptive and penetrate again this week. Hopefully the DBs cleaned up coverages because we could get torched otherwise.
Coach preaches about stacking days. Our football team will finally get respect once we start stacking wins. Do that and the respect and fanfare will follow.
We got the 1-0 start, and what’s better than a 1-0 start? A 2-0 start. Need the DL to be disruptive and penetrate again this week. Hopefully the DBs cleaned up coverages because we could get torched otherwise.
Coach preaches about stacking days. Our football team will finally get respect once we start stacking wins. Do that and the respect and fanfare will follow.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Bielema's method of causing the opponent uncertainty related to injuries is actually probably much more effective than Lovie's
If this tends to be a thing going forward I would say there is no way he didn't pick that up from some coach over in the Northeast.
Nebraskans are legendarily heavy sweaters.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Guessing Hart will, therefore, start the game and Peters will be in street clothes.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
We have our paper tickets as souvenirs: First game of the Bielema era. Fifty years from now, after we’re long gone, those will be a real prize for some happy child of the future. Of course, by then, the tickets will be gone, with all the other flotsam and jetsam of our lives.
I can attest to this statement. My brother in law is from Nebraska. Guy sweats more than anyone I've ever known!
dgcrow
- Kelso, WA
It could get tense!
The line dropped when word got out that UTSA beat LSU in their bowl game. Nothing to see here.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Various vegas lines --- and I saw as low at 4.5/5.0.
Beginning to sound almost like home field advantage only!
No Hart is going to likely make this game really close. Rough rough loss need Barnes/Tholson to really step up and keep their QB from breaking big runs. Still optimistic we take this by a FG but won't be a comfortable game. Hope we have some wrinkles for IW to get him open in space for Art to have some easy throws.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
The closer the spread gets to EVEN, the more tempted I am to bet that we cover. It's the Bielema factor.
(On the flipside, UTSA has two key advantages ---- 1. the element of surprise, given there is no 2021 tape , and 2. the good health factor).
Illinois 34-23 (the same prediction that I had on the Nebraska game).
- Status