Illinois vs Wisconsin

I would think so either but they have almost built a program on being a spoiler. They have slayed a few dragons in years they totally sucked. But yea gophs should be a heavy favorite
Is that true? I had to go back to 2014 to see that they beat both Notre Dame and Wisconsin while going 5-7. Their truly bad years they've only beaten Illinois and Rutgers in conference
 


It's a fuzzy memory at this point, but wasn't Illinois also getting a decent amount of pass pressure? So the long developing routes were just not working.

The Illini had 6 sacks in that game.

Also, they held us to 89 yards on 35 rushing attempts.

 

It's a fuzzy memory at this point, but wasn't Illinois also getting a decent amount of pass pressure? So the long developing routes were just not working.
Yeah, they were because they were completely selling out on the run and then just bringing the extra people.

Kirk would have thrown the slant 20 times in that game. It was wide open - the CBs were on an island and playing 15 yards back.
 

Yeah, they were because they were completely selling out on the run and then just bringing the extra people.

Kirk would have thrown the slant 20 times in that game. It was wide open - the CBs were on an island and playing 15 yards back.
Yep....KC would have adjusted in the Bowling Green and Illinois games last year. Sanford seemed incapable of doing so. It was maddening. Our offense last year just looked lost most of the time, struggling to get plays called....it was just a nightmare. Amazing we won 9 games which is a massive testament to the defense.
 




I don't think Illinois is a very deep team and they don't have the line play

BUT, they have really good RB in Chase brown, Isiah Williams is a legit weapon, and their QB is an upgrade from last year. I really like their DC and wouldn't be surprised if he gets looks at HC jobs

They're good, but I don't think they're ready to win the west
 

Don't think it's a blowout but the Badgers will take this one. I want to believe that they are as bad as they looked against OSU but I'm not convinced.
 



Don't think it's a blowout but the Badgers will take this one. I want to believe that they are as bad as they looked against OSU but I'm not convinced.
you don't even need to use the litmus test of the buckeyes -- washington state made the offense look pedestrian (even with Cundiff getting two touchdowns)
 

you don't even need to use the litmus test of the buckeyes -- washington state made the offense look pedestrian (even with Cundiff getting two touchdowns)
Offense is week

Defense is stronger than OSU game showed though
 

Offense is week

Defense is stronger than OSU game showed though
That is fair regarding the defense. I'll refrain from posting more on the topic, but I think that Illinois has the weapons to expose this defense (and our own) to a higher degree than wazzu was able to.
 

That is fair regarding the defense. I'll refrain from posting more on the topic, but I think that Illinois has the weapons to expose this defense (and our own) to a higher degree than wazzu was able to.
Haven’t watched Illinois enough. I just know they lost to Indiana but have people complementing them


Implying to me they are inconsistent.
Inconsistency is usually what let’s Wisconsin beat you
 



Haven’t watched Illinois enough. I just know they lost to Indiana but have people complementing them


Implying to me they are inconsistent.
Inconsistency is usually what let’s Wisconsin beat you
true, if illinois is heavily penalized again they lose. they didn't lose to indiana because they don't have talent though. the same as the gophers losing to Illinois last year and then beating wisconsin. both '21 minnesota and '22 illinois have reasons for people to compliment then.
 

Haven’t watched Illinois enough. I just know they lost to Indiana but have people complementing them


Implying to me they are inconsistent.
Inconsistency is usually what let’s Wisconsin beat you
Chase Brown is #1 in rushing yards, and Illini are 5th in total defense (1 spot above Iowa).

The difference between Minnesota and Illinois is that Minnesota is 3rd in total offense and Illinois is 42nd. Could be closer than desired.

Getting to see how their offense handles Wisconsin and Iowa's defense will benefit the Gophers gameplan.
 


This game will be very tough for Wisconsin. I take the boys from Champaign and the points.
 

I will be nervous regardless who wins that game. I refuse to believe Wisconsin is down as far as they appear, and I refuse to deny Illinois isn’t the next big rising team in the west. The only outcome that won’t scare me is if every player on both teams enters the transfer portal on Sunday.
 

I believe this is the game that was Fleck's last straw on Sanford. The next week vs. Iowa and remaining games the tactics on offense seemed to change, going early to the passing game to open up the run (duh!).

edit add: the lack of viable outlet pass options in Sanford's offense drove me insane.
Correct, that was Sanford's last game as game planner and play caller.
 




Is that true? I had to go back to 2014 to see that they beat both Notre Dame and Wisconsin while going 5-7. Their truly bad years they've only beaten Illinois and Rutgers in conference
Kind of replying as I have seen them take down the badgers several times when they weren’t that good. Perhaps they just have buckys number but I seem to remember it happening several times. I think there was also I instances where it was early ant the perception was they weren’t good but ended up being decent. Just has been some games where they were a double digit dog and got the W. I could be wrong but it sure felt that way. Every college te seems to have one big 10 team of lesser abilities that just gives them fits.
 

If Northwestern runs the gauntlet of:

Penn State
Wisconsin
Maryland
Iowa
Ohio State

and is still in contention when they play us I will be officially worried. Gut feeling is they will be well out of it long before they get to us :)
That would be impressive but not likely. That’s a nasty line up.
 




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