Only watched the game on Gamecast today, did we get any pass rush at all?
Outside of the one sack that I recall (blown assignment by USF) it doesn't feel like it. There were several deflected passes.
Only watched the game on Gamecast today, did we get any pass rush at all?
Maybe I’m crazy, but I found that performance encouraging. A lot better than I expected and progress
One hand, you can say good effort. But, South Florida was awful. They had no business winning that game, and they still won it. So yeah sure moral victory, but not really that impressive when your opponent had a million mistakes and still win. It's probably demoralizing
Most people actually kept the game on until the last play, we're getting there.
Maybe I’m crazy, but I found that performance encouraging. A lot better than I expected and progress
I don't think getting crushed by Penn State would destroy our confidence. (Or at least I hope not.) If losing two games in a row makes us go in the tank, the coaching staff should fired. It's their job to make sure confidence is maintained.There is definitely a lot to be encouraged from.
Let's be honest. If we play like this, we'll probably win 2-3 Big Ten games. And given how weak the schedule is -- and how bad the Big Ten West is in general -- there are several winnable games ahead.
The question is how we respond mentally. My fear is that they are hung over going into Friday night, get absolutely blasted by Penn State, and then lose all confidence.
I think that's a real stretch. If you think they lost a close game to a really good team today I think you're wrong. S. Florida played about as poorly as they could and Illinois refused to accept the charity. I hope I'm wrong but the Illini are more likely to go 2-10 or 3-9 than get six wins and go bowling.A bowl game is clearly up for grabs after today’s results. You go with the best QB, which I do think is AJ Bush. But I’m excited for MJ Rivers. This year we just don’t have the receivers and O-line to let him sit in the pocket and be the gunslinger that he is. O-line looks like it’s close. Injuries obviously hurt the receivers. Next year both could be strengths.
The obvious is that this game SUCKED to endure as a fan. True heartbreaker.
However, how can anyone not say we’ve improved? It’s easy to “accept” we need a massive rebuild when Lovie is hired; it’s harder when we’re “getting there.” This team played with a fight tonight we haven’t seen in years, and I’m now a lot more confident that we can scrap a few more wins out going forward and possibly even score a real upset. Go Illini.
Maybe I’m crazy, but I found that performance encouraging. A lot better than I expected and progress
I totally feel your sentiments here. Unfortunately, if we lack talent and depth currently, you can't expect it to be much different 2 or 3 years from now. These guys aren't that young anymore. A lot of freshmen last year, but not as many this year. We're past the point of being able to say "2 or 3 years from now" with a straight face. If we win 2 or 3 Big Ten games this season, that will be a significant improvement from last season and will be encouraging. But if we win 0 or 1 in conference, we're still in a huge hole.
I think that's a real stretch. If you think they lost a close game to a really good team today I think you're wrong. S. Florida played about as poorly as they could and Illinois refused to accept the charity. I hope I'm wrong but the Illini are more likely to go 2-10 or 3-9 than get six wins and go bowling.
It would violate numerous forum rules, so I wouldn't be surprised.
Uh, wrong. We have five players out for suspension. Three who start and make a big difference to this team. Green is sorely needed and another DL never hurts. We have some really nice help coming in next season at WR and secondary and may get more. We look like we have a QB with a another coming in next year. The OL will be another year older as well as the DL. How many sophs do we trot out there? I saw progress and I think if they miss on a bowl game this year, meaning close to one, next year will be a lot different. Still the youngest team out there and everyone predicted them to spank us today...I totally feel your sentiments here. Unfortunately, if we lack talent and depth currently, you can't expect it to be much different 2 or 3 years from now. These guys aren't that young anymore. A lot of freshmen last year, but not as many this year. We're past the point of being able to say "2 or 3 years from now" with a straight face. If we win 2 or 3 Big Ten games this season, that will be a significant improvement from last season and will be encouraging. But if we win 0 or 1 in conference, we're still in a huge hole.
First let me say, the idea of a moral victory is BS. This game could very well keep us from a bowl, and that would be huge for us this year. And it was there for us.
Can't believe we don't win this game with the suspended players. But fully behind Lovie here. I hope Lovie and JW's goal is that when Lovie retires we have a football team that sustainably reflects the flagship university in a great state (or at least a state that was great not that long ago, but that's politics). This kind of discipline is what we need long term. Its more important than the weed wacker bowl.
I only listened to the game, and maybe it was OD, but I thought the Oline had their best game. Without dominating KSU and WIU, I was very worried about this unit. You look at the stats, we are competitive in this game because of: special teams, penalties, and turnovers. That is the mark of a veteran team, and we are anything but that.
Lets give some credit to the coaches here. No moral victory. This was an important loss that we will regret at the end of the year. But we are clearly moving in the right direction. With this schedule, this young team has a chance to win a few more games.