Haven't followed the Illini much

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restovich

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I confess that I do not know much about them this year. Two victories over PSU and Nebraska. So.... cannot be a totally crappy team by any means.

But their Coach.......... and Old "friend" of ours, he personifies the Wikipedia entry under "asshole coach". Anyone have any special Illini insights? First cut analysis is that our OL should allow us to run on them........
 

restovich said:
I confess that I do not know much about them this year. Two victories over PSU and Nebraska. So.... cannot be a totally crappy team by any means.

But their Coach.......... and Old "friend" of ours, he personifies the Wikipedia entry under "asshole coach". Anyone have any special Illini insights? First cut analysis is that our OL should allow us to run on them........
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They're gonna have trouble moving the ball. Been back and forth at QB due to injuries. I think it's gonna look very similar to Northwestern.
 

restovich said:
I confess that I do not know much about them this year. Two victories over PSU and Nebraska. So.... cannot be a totally crappy team by any means.

But their Coach.......... and Old "friend" of ours, he personifies the Wikipedia entry under "asshole coach". Anyone have any special Illini insights? First cut analysis is that our OL should allow us to run on them........
Click to expand...
They have two nice backs, very dynamic slot receiver who Alabama wanted but Illini recruited him at QB. Offensive line played really well at Penn State. Great special teams. Inconsistent throughout the year.
 

I think they’ll be better than we think. We should win handily but they’re ok.
 

Assuming PJ doesn't go into an overconfident turtle mode vs. the Fighting Butt Bs, that spread is hopefully very safe.
 



I think we know (and need to) not take anyone lightly. The minute you approach the game like you are superior, you are in trouble (ie. our little Corn Shucker friends).

Respect the opponent. Good 'ol Burp just might have then ready.
 

Bielema has gained tremendous amount of weight since WI days. Really concerned for his health TBH.
 




They don’t have a single offensive lineman who’s done much in the playing department
 


UpAndUnder43 said:
I’ll say what I said before Maryland and Northwrstern. It’ll be a blowout
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Less likely to be a blowout than those two. But more likely to be a 10-20 point win.

They have a very capable defense but not much firepower
 

Some guy said:
Less likely to be a blowout than those two. But more likely to be a 10-20 point win.

They have a very capable defense but not much firepower
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It ranks 81st in total defense and 52nd in scoring defense.
 



Some guy said:
Less likely to be a blowout than those two. But more likely to be a 10-20 point win.

They have a very capable defense but not much firepower
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This may be one of the shortest games of the season. Both teams want to run the ball and both teams like to run behind formations with extra offensive lineman out there.
 

MNVCGUY said:
This may be one of the shortest games of the season. Both teams want to run the ball and both teams like to run behind formations with extra offensive lineman out there.
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Could be the case. Gophs are 4th in TOP, ILL is 58th.
 

I watched the amazing end of the PSU game...best game ever I love how the overtime turns to two point conversions. But their QB got injured, I think broke his arm, so I don't think he'll be back and the back up wasn't very good. But I have to say the last 5 minutes of that game and the 9 overtimes were so awesome that if you can, watch the end of that game. We'll win this one easily. PSU didn't look very good either.
 

Their QB Peters had some success passing last weekend, but they are not a potent offense.
If Gophers can stop the run and win turnover battle they should be fine.
It's probably the weakest defense we have left on our schedule.
Final score prediction is 31-17 per usual.
 

Is this the place where we discuss the Cobb - Rosebowl fumble?
 

PMWinSTP said:
It ranks 81st in total defense and 52nd in scoring defense.
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Yeah. So you don’t think being middle 3rd in both shows they are capable?

I think Maryland was more likely to beat the gophers. I also think Maryland plays a style susceptible to getting blown out.
Illinois is going to run the ball, grind clock, try to beat you 17-14. Harder to get blown out That way.


Also, Illinois defense has played much better after the first 3.

since Sept 17:
18.6 PPG
362 yards per game


Over a whole season that’s in the 50s for yards and the teens for points

Can’t throw out the first 3 in the stats. But the way they’ve been playing the last 6 defensively is very capable. Do you disagree?
 
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Face The Facts said:
Their QB Peters had some success passing last weekend, but they are not a potent offense.
If Gophers can stop the run and win turnover battle they should be fine.
It's probably the weakest defense we have left on our schedule.
Final score prediction is 31-17 per usual.
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I think Indiana has the weakest remaining D, personally.
 

WriterGoph said:
They're gonna have trouble moving the ball. Been back and forth at QB due to injuries. I think it's gonna look very similar to Northwestern.
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Could very well be the case. I hope so.

But then .... what the hell happened at Penn State's homecoming???
 

MNVCGUY said:
This may be one of the shortest games of the season. Both teams want to run the ball and both teams like to run behind formations with extra offensive lineman out there.
Click to expand...
Yes. Also, Illinois defense has played much better after the first 3.

since Sept 17:
18.6 PPG
362 yards per game


Over a whole season that’s in the 50s for yards and the teens for points
 

MplsGopher said:
Could very well be the case. I hope so.

But then .... what the hell happened at Penn State's homecoming???
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It appears the same thing that happened at our homecoming! Penn State showed up in every other game they've been in, just as we have.
 

Some guy said:
Yeah. So you don’t think being middle 3rd in both shows they are capable?

I think Maryland was more likely to beat the gophers. I also think Maryland plays a style susceptible to getting blown out.
Illinois is going to run the ball, grind clock, try to beat you 17-14. Harder to get blown out That way.
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So now you are saying just capable, not very capable. I believe they are ranked 11th in the B1G in scoring defense and 12th in total defense. IMHO, they are below average. Gophs are 5th in scoring defense, 3rd in total defense in the B1G.
 

Gophers vs Illini. We will deactivate the Bielema 9000 created in Urbana Illinois...

start at 2:59
 

Face The Facts said:
Their QB Peters had some success passing last weekend, but they are not a potent offense.
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Their running back arguably better than anyone we have left.

Their oline matches up somewhat well with ours in experience. May have more NFL talent on oline than we do.

Williams at WR has more TD threat after catch than anyone we have.

I would take their kicker and punter today.

Peters matches up well with Morgan as a pocket passer.

TE a better receiving threat than anyone we have.
 
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swingman said:
Their running back arguably better than anyone we have left.

Their oline matches up somewhat well with ours in experience.

Williams at WR has more TD threat after catch than anyone we have.

I would take their kicker and punter today.

Peters matches up well with Morgan as a pocket passer.

TE a better receiving threat than anyone we have.
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I agree that there is an argument to be made, but the 17 year old for Wisconsin has really come on in the last month. I'd put my money on him -- but the Illini's room lead by Chase Brown is pretty special as well.
 


PMWinSTP said:
So now you are saying just capable, not very capable. I believe they are ranked 11th in the B1G in scoring defense and 12th in total defense. IMHO, they are below average. Gophs are 5th in scoring defense, 3rd in total defense in the B1G.
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Okay?

what is the difference between very capable and capable. You can tell me?

I never said good or great intentionally.
I never compared them to the gophers defense.

you don’t think they are capable? You think they’re below average. That’s fine. You bet the over and Minnesota -14.5

you might make money.
I’m not getting on this game because I could see Minnesota winning 28-14 or 24-14


what do I know. I only have bet the following 3 gophers bets this year:
Bowling green + 32 or whatever it was
Minnesota the last two weeks
 

Looking at Swingman’s stats it would seem that the Illni should be favored. Doesn’t appear to be a walk over game. Hopefully the fans can be a force. If Mafe and our LB’s have a great game, we have a chance.
 

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