IlliniHQ 2
General Category => Halas Hall Football Forum => Topic started by: ThePAMan on September 26, 2024, 10:57:00 AM
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All stolen from Fightingillini.com as usual....
#19 Illinois (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) at #9 Penn State (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Date/Time Saturday, Sept. 28 | 6:30 p.m. CT
Location University Park, Pennsylvania (Beaver Stadium) (Leave now, Judge Judy!)
Watch NBC (Peacock) Noah Eagle (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (analyst), and Kathryn Tappen (reporter)
Radio Busey Bank Illini Sports Network | Listen | SiriusXM (146/195)
This will be the Illini's first trip to Beaver Stadium since their historic nine-overtime victory in 2021 in the longest game in college football history.
*Illinois has two AP Top 25 wins during September for the first time in program history.
*Illinois has two AP Top 25 wins in a single season for the first time since 2007, when the Illini beat three AP ranked teams.
*Last week's Sept. 15 AP Top 25 poll marked the earliest in the season that Illinois has been voted into the top 25 since 2008.
*Illinois and Penn State will meet as ranked foes for the first time since 2008, when #21 Illinois fell 38-24 at #12 Penn State.
*Since 1942, Illinois has compiled a record of 82-50-2 (.619) when ranked in the AP Top 25.
*Before back-to-back AP Top 25 wins, Illinois was 2-32 in its previous 34 games against the AP Top 25.
Bielema is Trash!
*The Fighting Illini have knocked off Eastern Illinois, #19 Kansas, Central Michigan, and #22 Nebraska to start the season 4-0 for the second time since 1951 and first time since 2011.
*Illinois has four 4-0 starts in the AP poll era (since 1936): 1942, 1951, 2011, and 2024.
*Bret Bielema improved to 22-19 in his Illinois career. He is the first head coach in program history to start .500 or better through their first 41 games since Lou Tepper started 21-19-1 from 1992-95.
*Bielema is 8-6 in Big Ten road games as head coach at Illinois. His eight Big Ten road wins are the fourth-most ever by an Illinois head coach in his first four seasons, behind only Mike White (11, 1980-83), Lou Tepper (10, 1992-95), and John Mackovic (10, 1988-91).
*Bielema is 4-5 (.444) against ranked teams (AP/Coaches/CFP) as Illinois' head coach. His .444 winning percentage against ranked teams is the second-best in Illinois history, behind only John Mackovic (8-8, .500, 1988-91).
*Bielema's four ranked wins (AP/Coaches/CFP) during his first four seasons are tied for the third-most in program history, behind only John Mackovic (8, 1988-91) and Mike White (5, 1980-83).
*Bielema tied the program record for road ranked wins (AP/Coaches/CFP) during his first four seasons. He is the second coach in Illinois history to win three ranked games on the road during his first three seasons, joining Lou Tepper (1992-96).
*Bielema is the first Illini coach to earn Top 25 rankings in two of his first four seasons since Ron Zook led the Illini into the top-25 rankings in 2007 and 2008, his Years 3 and 4 in Champaign, respectively. Illinois reached as high as #14 and were ranked for four consecutive weeks in October and November 2022 under Bielema.
Following the team's Week 3 Homecoming win vs. Central Michigan, Bielema improved to 9-4 through his first 13 nonconference games (including postseason) at Illinois. It is the best record through 13 nonconference games for an Illinois head coach since Robert Zuppke started 10-3 against non-Big Ten opponents from 1913-18.
*Bielema joined George Huff (1895-98), John Mackovic (1988-91), and Lou Tepper (1992-95) as the only head coaches in Illinois history to win 4+ games in each of their first four seasons leading the Fighting Illini.
Put Your Cup On Now!
*Penn State will be Illinois' third AP-ranked opponent in the last four games. Illinois is on track to play five ranked opponents over a seven-game stretch, which would tie the program record for the most ranked opponents played during a regular season. The last time Illinois played five ranked opponents during a regular season was 2005.
*Illinois is facing three AP-ranked opponents over a four-game stretch for the first time since 2011, when the Illini fell to #21 Penn State, #22 Michigan, and #15 Wisconsin in three consecutive weeks.
*This is the first time in program history Illinois will start its Big Ten schedule with two ranked opponents on the road.
*Illinois is starting its Big Ten schedule with road games in back-to-back weeks for the first time since 2008.
Illinois is starting its Big Ten schedule with two ranked games for the first time since 2009.
*Saturday will be Illinois' first top-20 vs. top-20 Big Ten game since 2000 (#19 Illinois lost vs. #10 Michigan) and the Illini's first top-20 vs. top-20 road game since 1991 (#13 Illinois lost at #15 Iowa with Bielema playing for Iowa).
*Illinois has won four of the last 13 meetings (2007, 2010, 2014, 2021). Prior to 2007, Penn State had won 11 of 13 meetings, including seven in a row from 1972-2000.
*Illinois is 2-13 all-time against Penn State teams ranked in the AP top 25, including a 1-7 record against Penn State teams ranked in the top 10. Other than 2021, the Illini's lone win against a ranked Penn State team was a 27-20 victory vs. No. 21 Penn State on Sept. 29, 2007. Last season, the #7 Nittany Lions defeated Illinois 30-13 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign.
*Prior to Illinois' historic road win in 2021 under Bielema, the Illini's only other win at Beaver Stadium was a 33-13 decision on Oct. 9, 2010, in Ron Zook's sixth season at the helm of the Illini program.
VSiN odds: Illini +18 yeeouch! Also see +17.5. O/u 47.5 (seems high). ML is +600 to +720! There seems to be some variance on the vig here.
Per BetMGM: Illinois vs Penn State Prediction:
The winning team model predicts Penn State will win this game with 89.5% confidence, based on game simulations, offensive & defensive matchups and recent game results.
Illinois vs Penn State Spread Prediction:
Based on recent against-the-spread trends, the model predicts Penn State will cover the spread with 66.4% confidence.
Will weather be a factor? Seeing fog anticipated during the game, but no rain.
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Should I entertain the thought of winning this game? Or is that setting myself up for disappointment?
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Should I entertain the thought of winning this game? Or is that setting myself up for disappointment?
Wear a cup.
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How did I miss that 9OT game
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How did I miss that 9OT game
Forgot about that, that was nuts.
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17.5????
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Shocked at the line
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Shocked at the line
Lower than expected?
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-18.5 against a penn state team that hasn’t looked that dominant at times and we have 2 top 25 wins, just seems kinda high. But I have learned that Vegas usually knows when a crazy looking line comes out.
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Custard, wear your cup Saturday night.
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We’re playing with house money, which is its own cup.
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Damn good start!
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17.5????
Fuck Vegas!
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Beautiful opening drive by Illinois.
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.
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What Bielema has done here at Illinois so far is really amazing.
He’s the Joe Biden of the Big Ten!
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Noice. Would be amazing to qualify for the playoffs in the first year of expansion. 🤞
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He’s the Joe Biden of the Big Ten!
Weird…
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Weird…
Our D looks like JD Vance :(
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Our D looks like JD Vance :(
Weirder…
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Swing pass on 3rd and 21 goes for a first!
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Swing pass on 3rd and 21 goes for a first!
Big for field position. Now let’s get the D in gear. Pick 6 please
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Defense gonna need to step up…
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Offense and punts have been doing well so far.
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Defense gonna need to step up…
Can’t believe they didn’t go for it on 4th and 1
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D-line getting tossed around by PSU's Oline
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Can’t believe they didn’t go for it on 4th and 1
Yeah, I told a buddy that we dodged a bullet there.
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D-line getting tossed around by PSU's Oline
Not good
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Why would Penn state even consider a pass play?
Our only chance appears to be bad strategy by PSU
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Field goal defense is really good too :D
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PSU fans gotta be pissed.
Now let’s have Pat Bryant make em pay
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Penn st has a better front 7 but we have better special teams.
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Missed it! We’re getting plenty of opportunities. Need to capitalize. Pedo State should never throw the ball.
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Freight train sighting!
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Hey I finally remembered my password
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This is setting up great. Score here late and go into half AHEAD
As good as PSU has looked running, our offense is humming too.
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Hey I finally remembered my password
123456 - right?
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This is setting up great. Score here late and go into half AHEAD
As good as PSU has looked running, our offense is humming too.
Trash Bielima should not have taken that time out. We can control the clock if we get a first don’t want PSU to get a shot to score if we don’t
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123456 - right?
HOW DO YOU KNOW MY PASSWORD!!! HACKER
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Trash Bielima should not have taken that time out. We can control the clock if we get a first don’t want PSU to get a shot to score if we don’t
Never mind!
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You can't make mistakes like that in a game like this
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And such a typical Illinois play there
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Ouch
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You have to get a touchdown here you cannot go into halftime after that opportunity with just a field goal. It’ll come back to bite you in the ass.
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OH that;s a classic.. both recievers falling down
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WTF.. they collapsing
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Talk about destroying a prime touchdown opportunity
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HAHAHHAAH
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Who didn't see that coming?
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Never go full Illini
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What a buzzkill
If PSU scores here I’m starting the whiskey
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Never go full Illini
It’s your fault for finding that password
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Go from having the ball on the 3 yard line and first down to settling for a 45 yard field goal and then miss it right before half
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So fucking Illinois
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Go from having the ball on the 3 yard line and first down to settling for a 45 yard field goal and then miss it right before half
And all that backwards shit is field position, not running clock - that was of similar quality to Nebraska in OT
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At least the defense didn't collapse after that disastrous sequence
Tied at half on the road against the #9 team. Stop shooting ourselves in the foot and we could pull this off.
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Solid d to end that but a bit of a mirage because PSU had to pass
Which is why we needed that TD
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Man I’ll take 7-7, but we missed some huge opportunities!
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Had reservations at The Standard tonight. Phenomenal meal but took too long. Walked out and pulled game up on YTTV just in time to see that debacle
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Wow, we had a first and goal at the 2 and ended up missing a 45 yard FG? Yikes.
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Wow, we had a first and goal at the 2 and ended up missing a 45 yard FG? Yikes.
Yep, so Illinois
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Wheels haven't come off yet
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Why on earth would PSU even attempt another pass this game?
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Why on earth would PSU even attempt another pass this game?
Unbelievable. Until we stop them - pound the rock
I’ll take it. Let’s go Luke
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Really need a score here.
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Come on guys make something happen. I wasn’t so sure he didn’t get that first.
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Did the Bears offensive line sneak into the stadium?
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It’s over.
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Did the Bears offensive line sneak into the stadium?
I had typed “reminds me of the Bears the last few years on obvious passing downs” but the website froze.
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Gonna need at least a couple of big plays to pull this out.
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Fucking wow lol
PSU leaving the door wide open but we refuse to enter
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We’ve still got a game…
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That missed kick helps a lot.
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So you’re saying there’s a chance….
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Terrible play call
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4th and 1 and we got an offensive lineman out there twerking
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O-line just not good enough tonight
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Nice toss right to the PSU defender.
That's a wrap on this one.
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Another brutal sequence
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Shooting ourselves in the foot in this one. It was there for the taking.
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Shooting ourselves in the foot in this one. It was there for the taking.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
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Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Hell no! Let’s get a pick 6 damnit! Fight you bastards!!
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Hell no! Let’s get a pick 6 damnit! Fight you bastards!!
Presumes Franklin is dumb enough to pass and he just might be
Penn state bettors gotta be livid
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It was the ultimate house money game tonight. Both lines got ragdolled and we just couldn't get out of our own way melting down at the worst possible times. The offense never recaptured their mojo after the awful snap at the goal line.
Rest up during the bye and come back home to kick Purdue's ass.
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Illini offense got shut down
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It was the ultimate house money game tonight. Both lines got ragdolled and we just couldn't get out of our own way melting down at the worst possible times. The offense never recaptured their mojo after the awful snap at the goal line.
Rest up during the bye and come back home to kick Purdue's ass.
+1
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PSU will lose against OSU and probably against USC. Screw them.
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They were just too much up front as the game wore on. Nice to play a hard nosed game on the road in front of 100k on network TV and not get embarrassed.
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One of those games where there's no shame in losing to no. 9 on the road and the talent disparity was fairly obvious on the lines, but it's still disappointing the offense couldn't convert anything on that drive in the 2nd or do anything of note in the entire second half. They established a run game and avoided letting our secondary make big plays = 2/3 the formula for beating us this year.
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Just goes to show you can have all the quality wide outs you want, but if your line can't block it just does not matter. Penalties suck too .
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Funny how the Bears line blocked just fine when Fields was part of the discussion.
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Funny how the Bears line blocked just fine when Fields was part of the discussion.
Yes, it was all because of Fields that they picked up those stunt rushes. Has nothing to do that these guys don't work hard in the preseason at all and, based on what we are seeing, in the offseason.
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Last yea they were semi-competent. This year, they are nowhere near competent. Why? “Not working hard in the off season” is just something you’re pulling out of your ass.
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Last yea they were semi-competent. This year, they are nowhere near competent. Why? “Not working hard in the off season” is just something you’re pulling out of your ass.
You still haven’t explained why though, while discrediting anybody who tries to give a reason…
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Last yea they were semi-competent. This year, they are nowhere near competent. Why? “Not working hard in the off season” is just something you’re pulling out of your ass.
Do they look stronger than last year or not?
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You still haven’t explained why though, while discrediting anybody who tries to give a reason…
Neither have either of you. I’m not sure anyone knows exactly why. The loss of Luke Getsy doesn’t seem to be holding a lot of water considering how pathetic the Raiders run game is.
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Neither have either of you. I’m not sure anyone knows exactly why. The loss of Luke Getsy doesn’t seem to be holding a lot of water considering how pathetic the Raiders run game is.
Good thing he has the same players as he had last year!
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Do they look stronger than last year or not?
Based off my fairly random dude opinion from way outside the building, no. But something has regressed, for sure.
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Based off my fairly random dude opinion from way outside the building, no. But something has regressed, for sure.
If they don't look stronger, then they may not have worked very hard in the offseason?
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If they don't look stronger, then they may not have worked very hard in the offseason?
It’s possible, but it would be absurd of me to say that with any degree of certainty. I’m not there. I’d be guessing.
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It’s possible, but it would be absurd of me to say that with any degree of certainty. I’m not there. I’d be guessing.
We are not there for anything, so practically anything you talk about the Bears is guessing! Geesh
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I thought this was Hey Tempo! Illini play @ Pedo State 9/28 @6:30PM!
IlliniHQ 2
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I thought this was Hey Tempo! Illini play @ Pedo State 9/28 @6:30PM!
IlliniHQ 2
He’s having a bad day.
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We are not there for anything, so practically anything you talk about the Bears is guessing! Geesh
A lot easier to judge what I see on gameday than guessing about what I can’t see in July.
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He’s having a bad day.
I am?
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A lot easier to judge what I see on gameday than guessing about what I can’t see in July.
We can see they didn't work hard in the offseason
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We can see they didn't work hard in the offseason
It’s been alleged.
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Please stop ruining the one Illini thread for the week when there are 100 bears threads to bitch in
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Please stop ruining the one Illini thread for the week when there are 100 bears threads to bitch in
Game is over bro.
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On the bright side, only 3 million people were watching the anemic Illinois offense in this game. Meanwhile 12 million people were watching Alabama - Georgia.
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That we got 20% of the eyeballs from that game is like not getting blown out in Happy Valley.
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It’s a win