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

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#201      
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.

I wish I could believe that and hope you are right. I def. think a one score game either way.

My biggest fear is Stikowski throws some pics in the heat of battle like back in his earlier ways. A pic 6 or defensive TD will be the difference imo. Again i hope you are right and I will be thrilled to be wrong.
 
#203      

Bill_Cole_SuperFan

The Insider's Insider
Ubben Laundry Room
My jaw is still on the floor we're only -5.5. Go to your local bank, take out a small/ low-interest loan, and throw heavy on the boys.

🚆hop on the bielema express next stop 9-3
 
#204      
I wish I could believe that and hope you are right. I def. think a one score game either way.

My biggest fear is Stikowski throws some pics in the heat of battle like back in his earlier ways. A pic 6 or defensive TD will be the difference imo. Again i hope you are right and I will be thrilled to be wrong.
I’m with you. Sitkowski was a turnover machine at Rutgers. I’m hoping Petersen’s tutelage has helped him here, but that almost interception he threw last week made me nervous. He definitely shook it off and helped lead us to victory, yet the concern remains.
 
#205      
.......
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.
See- 'On the General Principles of Staff Turnover, A Treatise'. By Brad Underwood
 
#207      
I’m with you. Sitkowski was a turnover machine at Rutgers. I’m hoping Petersen’s tutelage has helped him here, but that almost interception he threw last week made me nervous. He definitely shook it off and helped lead us to victory, yet the concern remains.
I agree that the called back interception last week is a bit concerning, but it is much more accurate to say he was a turnover machine his freshman year than his time at Rutgers. He didn’t throw an INT last year and only 2 the previous year, giving him 2 in about 150 attempts over last two years. Hopefully the O-line keeps the pocket clean, and he remains accurate
 
#208      
I agree that the called back interception last week is a bit concerning, but it is much more accurate to say he was a turnover machine his freshman year than his time at Rutgers. He didn’t throw an INT last year and only 2 the previous year, giving him 2 in about 150 attempts over last two years. Hopefully the O-line keeps the pocket clean, and he remains accurate
You are right. He was pressed into a really tough situation as well. Hopefully he has learned a lot and developed. I’m concerned about his mobility, but he showed a lot of moxie last Saturday. I’m certainly rooting for him until Brandon comes back.
 
#209      
12 more hours until kick.

wayward pines GIF
 
#210      

Illwinsagain

Cary, IL
My jaw is still on the floor we're only -5.5. Go to your local bank, take out a small/ low-interest loan, and throw heavy on the boys.

🚆hop on the bielema express next stop 9-3
Posts like this worry me. I remember last year, nearly everyone thought the WI line was easy money.
 
#211      

pruman91

Paducah, Ky

Although some people may view the Conference USA Roadrunners — who will face a Big Ten team for the first time in program history — as a lesser opponent than the Big Ten West rival Huskers, Bielema isn't having any of that. Every time UTSA's status as a non-Power Five program was brought up this week, he sternly dismissed it.

Perhaps no one the team's roster has more star power than junior Sincere McCormick.
The 5-foot-9, 205-pound running back totaled 249 carries for 1,467 yards (5.9 yards per carry) and 11 touchdowns last year, which are both single-season program records. He also had nine 100-yard rushing games in 2020 — highlighted by another single-game program record 251 rushing yards in the team's regular-season finale against North Texas — to become the 10-year-old program's all-time leading rusher with 2,450 yards.

McCormick's stellar campaign led to a second-team All-American nod from both the Football Writers Association of America and Phil Steele.
"Very dynamic player. When you pop on the film, he jumps out for a variety of different reasons," Bielema said. "He's got power, he's got balance, he's got strength, he's got a burst (and he) has the ability to take the ball inside or outside."

-------------------------------------------------

here's hoping we have a great game and go to 2-0....................

Go Illini
 
#212      
I’m with you. Sitkowski was a turnover machine at Rutgers. I’m hoping Petersen’s tutelage has helped him here, but that almost interception he threw last week made me nervous. He definitely shook it off and helped lead us to victory, yet the concern remains.
He was also much better in his limited appearances the past few seasons at Rutgers. Freshman year was brutal with 4TD to 18 INT. Last 2 seasons in 7 games had 4TD to 2INT (0 last season)
 
#214      

POWURR

From Downtown
Week 1 - FIGHT
War Fight GIF by Hunchback Music


Good guys - 41
Roadrunners - 27
 
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#215      
Not if you use Bovada ;)
Very interesting.

By the way, the House overwhelmingly passed a bill in the spring allowing bets on in-state teams at retail locations (not online). The Senate is expected to do the same when they reconvene next month. It's expected that eventually they will allow online bets, too.
 
#216      
What is the weather looking like in Champaign? Trying to decide whether to make the long drive to the game.
 
#217      
What is the weather looking like in Champaign? Trying to decide whether to make the long drive to the game.

It’s cloudy right now, chance of rain tonight. Suppose to rain this afternoon, but it may carry over to the game. Lightning and storms possible, too.
 
#219      

blackdog

Champaign
It’s cloudy right now, chance of rain tonight. Suppose to rain this afternoon, but it may carry over to the game. Lightning and storms possible, too.

I'm just hoping there aren't any weather delays for the game since the possible thunderstorms will still be around at 6.
 
#221      
My daughter just told me she thinks the final score will be Illinois 32 - UTSA 26. She’s 9 and literally only comes to the games for the food. So not sure where her prediction came from (or why she just randomly told me that…. 😂).
 
#223      

illinifan4249

Space Coast, FL
Think this one will come down to turnovers. If we win the turnover battle, especially if it is a wet field, then we should win but if we lose a few then a lose can very easily happen. Think in the end this will be a close win.

Also a couple of the guys on College Gameday picked UTSA as their superdog.
 
#224      
Still planning to head down, but will probably try to hit up a restaurant before hand instead of tailgate with the weather forecast. We can usually only squeeze in 1 game a year with my boys busy sports schedules, so bummed the weather is affecting today but excited to get to campus none the less. Anyone know how Aspen Tap House is?
 
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#225      

orange100

time to hop on the wife
Still planning to head down, but will probably try to hit up a restaurant before hand instead of tailgate with the weather forecast. We can usually only squeeze in 1 game a year with my boys busy sports schedules, so bummed the weather is affecting today but excited to get to campus none the less. Anyone know how Aspen Tap House is?
Aspen is like a more low-key, modernist-looking BWW. Good variety of beers and higher end food choices as I recall. Some big comfortable booths as well as tall tables.
 
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