Pregame: Illinois vs UTSA, Saturday, September 4th, 6:30pm CT, BTN

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#176      
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.

Hart played out of his mind last week, but thankfully it's one of the positions we actually have good depth in. I'm actually more worried about our run fits in the trenches in this one. They have a dynamic running back too.
 
#177      
Hart played out of his mind last week, but thankfully it's one of the positions we actually have good depth in. I'm actually more worried about our run fits in the trenches in this one. They have a dynamic running back too.
Their RB is legit. Need another big game from DL especially Big Rod to gum up the works to keep our LBs clean. We should have a talent edge in the trenches I'd hope. I can't imagine UTSA having better lines than NE although we know they will be better coached lol.
 
#178      

Illinivek23

Gurnee
I am betting on the Game 1 to 2 improvement usually seen for us vs. their opening rust - both teams are pretty experienced. BB factor, too and the Wizard Walters pulling the strings behind the D curtain

I think the weather will be awesome and the team will come out ready to play. Can't wait...
 
#180      
I get a kick out of BB's look.

Im 100% dutch. All 4 of my grandparents came over as babies/toddlers in later 1890's / early 1900's.
Bielema is also all or mostly dutch

BB looks so much like 1/2 my uncles and cousins and my dad {rip 2/1/2020} (and who am I kidding - I have that same barrel chested look and meaty face) and it just makes me laugh when I see him in that orange XXXL tshirt !!!

I am so happy he's our coach. Seriously , for other reasons tho
 
#181      
I get a kick out of BB's look.

Im 100% dutch. All 4 of my grandparents came over as babies/toddlers in later 1890's / early 1900's.
Bielema is also all or mostly dutch

BB looks so much like 1/2 my uncles and cousins and my dad {rip 2/1/2020} (and who am I kidding - I have that same barrel chested look and meaty face) and it just makes me laugh when I see him in that orange XXXL tshirt !!!

I am so happy he's our coach. Seriously , for other reasons tho
I love Bielema, but I might add a couple more Xs to the shirt size.
 
#182      
I get a kick out of BB's look.

Im 100% dutch. All 4 of my grandparents came over as babies/toddlers in later 1890's / early 1900's.
Bielema is also all or mostly dutch

BB looks so much like 1/2 my uncles and cousins and my dad {rip 2/1/2020} (and who am I kidding - I have that same barrel chested look and meaty face) and it just makes me laugh when I see him in that orange XXXL tshirt !!!

I am so happy he's our coach. Seriously , for other reasons tho
Just need the bib overalls, am I right? Also, I wish I could buy nice, Illini shirts in the sizes he has access to. I'm a triple XL-Tall and good luck finding a jersey or golf shirt that looks nice in that size. 6'6" 300lbs... i always thought it was ironic you can't find football clothes in large sizes.
 
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#184      
I love Bielema, but I might add a couple more Xs to the shirt size.
Count me in those really enjoying Bielema as our coach, can't think of one time I've heard him in a press conference or media where he doesn't come accross really impressive. What a night and day difference from Lovie's approach to media/personality. You could kind of tell there I think how much O'Donnell was enjoying doing the segment.

I kept thinking that Bielema and Underwood go way back, that Brad might get him on that routine that's got him in such better shape. Guess it hasn't happened yet but I'll give it a little more time...
 
#185      
Count me in those really enjoying Bielema as our coach, can't think of one time I've heard him in a press conference or media where he doesn't come accross really impressive. What a night and day difference from Lovie's approach to media/personality. You could kind of tell there I think how much O'Donnell was enjoying doing the segment.

I kept thinking that Bielema and Underwood go way back, that Brad might get him on that routine that's got him in such better shape. Guess it hasn't happened yet but I'll give it a little more time...
Brad has a little more time on his hands than Bret. Bret gets in the office at 5:30 and doesn't leave until 11:30- mindnight
 
#188      
So it looks like Underwood isn't working hard enough.

Seriously, thanks for the info. That's awesome to hear about Bielema. Opposite of some of the concerns when he was hired from Arkansas fans, etc.
Bret has always been a hard worker.....the SEC is just a different animal. Fans of the schools that aren't Bama all have let's say lofty expectations....
 
#190      
Count me in those really enjoying Bielema as our coach, can't think of one time I've heard him in a press conference or media where he doesn't come accross really impressive. What a night and day difference from Lovie's approach to media/personality. You could kind of tell there I think how much O'Donnell was enjoying doing the segment.

I kept thinking that Bielema and Underwood go way back, that Brad might get him on that routine that's got him in such better shape. Guess it hasn't happened yet but I'll give it a little more time...
I hope Underwood does. I am not petite myself, but I want Bielema to coach a long time and not drop dead from a heart attack.
 
#191      
So it looks like Underwood isn't working hard enough.

Seriously, thanks for the info. That's awesome to hear about Bielema. Opposite of some of the concerns when he was hired from Arkansas fans, etc.
I think there was a lot of growing up and learning that separates the BB we see now versus the BB that left Wiscy for the SEC drinking his own Kool-Aid. He by no means did bad at Arkansas, but they wanted to compete with Alabama and he thought he could do it. The thing was he couldn't, but he went and spent some time in the NFL learning how the game has evolved and taking in advice from mentors may have helped him. He is definitely a more modest and charismatic coach then he was in the past.
 
#193      
31-28 final, Think Illinois comes out on top but wouldn't shock me if it was flipped.
With a nod to your insider status, think you’re being too smug on this one. Utah may have taken them lightly, but our guys won’t. I have us winning by 15.
 
#195      

illini80

Forgottonia
No idea what to expect really. If we play close to what we did last week, I think we win. That’s it. That’s all I got.
 
#196      
I think there was a lot of growing up and learning that separates the BB we see now versus the BB that left Wiscy for the SEC drinking his own Kool-Aid. He by no means did bad at Arkansas, but they wanted to compete with Alabama and he thought he could do it. The thing was he couldn't, but he went and spent some time in the NFL learning how the game has evolved and taking in advice from mentors may have helped him. He is definitely a more modest and charismatic coach then he was in the past.

Yeah everyone wants to knock his tenure at Arkansas but look at who they replaced him with.

In many places you can't go from the basement to the penthouse with the same elevator.
 
#197      

ChiefGritty

Chicago, IL
Yeah everyone wants to knock his tenure at Arkansas but look at who they replaced him with.

In many places you can't go from the basement to the penthouse with the same elevator.
Bielema got what was at the time one of the biggest contracts ever given out in college football and went 11-29 in the SEC on top of being a big fat sarcastic Midwestern party animal. Just on a personal level he got made into a bit of a joke.

But the harder you look at his tenure there in terms of the actual quality of football they played, the more you see. I guess most importantly, you really dig into the nuts and bolts and it's not inconsistent with Bielema being a really good coach.

Anyway, Illinois is a really tough job and everything could look totally different from the vantage point of tomorrow night, but at this moment it all just feels like a really good fit.

One of the biggest worries might be that one of his coordinators left for another job after every season at Arkansas. Hiring a good staff is one thing, retaining and replenishing it is another.
 
#198      
Bielema got what was at the time one of the biggest contracts ever given out in college football and went 11-29 in the SEC on top of being a big fat sarcastic Midwestern party animal. Just on a personal level he got made into a bit of a joke.

But the harder you look at his tenure there in terms of the actual quality of football they played, the more you see. I guess most importantly, you really dig into the nuts and bolts and it's not inconsistent with Bielema being a really good coach.

Anyway, Illinois is a really tough job and everything could look totally different from the vantage point of tomorrow night, but at this moment it all just feels like a really good fit.

One of the biggest worries might be that one of his coordinators left for another job after every season at Arkansas. Hiring a good staff is one thing, retaining and replenishing it is another.
As for coordinators leaving, I think that is why he hired Tony Petersen on as OC. Guy isn't a flashy candidate that will get poached for HC positions. That will hopefully help maintain stability on that side of the ball even with guys like McDonald and up and coming position coach moving to greener pastures in coming years. BB has most of his knowledge on the D side, so that might be why he made Walters his DC. Walters needs good years and will need trends to change to be a HC but could possibly be poached to a higher profile gig in the future but he probably isn't going anywhere anytime soon either. All together it's a great staff so some people will leave, but the top 2 or 3 of the 5 most important are probably here for a while.
 
#200      
As for coordinators leaving, I think that is why he hired Tony Petersen on as OC. Guy isn't a flashy candidate that will get poached for HC positions. That will hopefully help maintain stability on that side of the ball even with guys like McDonald and up and coming position coach moving to greener pastures in coming years. BB has most of his knowledge on the D side, so that might be why he made Walters his DC. Walters needs good years and will need trends to change to be a HC but could possibly be poached to a higher profile gig in the future but he probably isn't going anywhere anytime soon either. All together it's a great staff so some people will leave, but the top 2 or 3 of the 5 most important are probably here for a while.
A few of his guys also left for head jobs, including Enos and Ash. I agree that both choices here for coordinators are good ones who would not leave for a few years, which will hopefully build that needed stability.
 
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