IlliniHQ 2
General Category => Halas Hall Football Forum => Topic started by: ThePAMan on November 18, 2025, 01:40:19 PM
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Stolen from usual sources....
[STILL UNRANKED] Illinois at Wisconsin
Date | Time Saturday, Nov. 22 | 6:30 p.m. CT
Location Madison, Wis. (Camp Randall Stadium)
TV Big Ten Network
Radio SiriusXM (372)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois travels to Madison, Wisconsin, to take on Wisconsin this Saturday inside Camp Randall Stadium, its final road test of the regular season. The game is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network. [GOING TO BE A CHILL IN THE AIR!]
Illinois (7-3, 4-3 Big Ten) earned its second consecutive victory over Maryland on Saturday, fueled by a pair of touchdown passes from Luke Altmyer to Hudson Clement. Altmyer owns top 25 marks in the nation in passing efficiency (11th, 162.47), completion percentage (15th, .691) and passing yards (32nd, 2,427). [HE WILL BE MISSED NEXT YEAR] Gabe Jacas and Pat Farrell combined for just Maryland's fourth sack allowed this season, which moves Jacas into a tie with Scott Davis (1983-87) for second-most in program history (23.0). [I AM THINKING HE GETS DOUBLE TEAMED MORE THAN LAZY MONTY SWEAT!]
Wisconsin (3-7, 1-6 Big Ten) is coming off a loss at #2 Indiana, following a win over #23 Washington in its last home outing on Nov. 8. [DANGER AHEAD!] True freshman Carter Smith tallied his first career start against the Hoosiers, completing 9 of 15 passes, while throwing one touchdown and one interception. [WILL HE HAVE THE GAME OF HIS LIFE AS USUALLY OCCURS WHEN THE ILLINI PLAY SOME SCRUB FRESHMAN??? TUNE IN AND FIND OUT!!!!] Defensively, freshmen linebackers Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano have stepped up for the Badgers, owning 47 and 45 tackles, respectively.
The Illini and Badgers will meet for the 92nd time on Saturday. Wisconsin defeated Illinois, 25-21, when the teams last met in 2023. [GRUMBLE GRUMBLE GRUMBLE] Illinois last visited Camp Randall Stadium in 2022 when Coach Bielema led the Illini to a 34-10 road win, the program's first in Madison in the previous 20 years. [LET'S RUN IT UP ON THEM THIS WEEK, BERT!]
Rhett Lewis (play-by-play), Anthony Herron (analyst), and Dannie Rogers (reporter) have the television call on Big Ten Network. The Busey Bank Illini Sports Network has the radio call with Brian Barnhart (play-by-play), Carey Davis (analyst), and Michael Martin (sideline).
Notes
Stacking Wins
• Illinois is postseason eligible in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2010-11. [SAD BUT TRUE!]
• Illinois is postseason eligible three times in a four-year span for the first time since 1991-94. [SAD BUT TRUE!]
• Illinois has 7+ wins in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2010-11. [SAD BUT TRUE!]
• Illinois has 7+ wins three times in a four-year span for the first time since 1981-84. [SAD BUT TRUE!]
• Illinois head coach Bret Bielema set the program record for wins in a head coach's first five seasons. Bielema has won 35 games at Illinois, passing Mike White's 34 wins from 1980-84. [SAD BUT TRUE! POOR LOU TEPPER!]
• Illinois has 22 Big Ten wins in Bret Bielema's first five seasons at Illinois. It is Illinois' most Big Ten wins in a five-year period since winning 23 Big Ten games from 1990-94. [SAD BUT TRUE!]
• Illinois has 17 wins over the last two seasons, the program's most wins over a two-year period since 1989-90, when the Illini went 10-2 then 8-4 under John Mackovic. [SAD BUT TRUE!]
• Illinois' most wins over a two-year period:
18 — 1989-90; 1902-03; 1901-02
17 — 2024-25; 1983-84; 1982-83; 1903-04
[SAD BUT TRUE!]
• Illinois is looking to win 8+ games in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1989-90. The Illini have never won 9+ games in back-to-back seasons. [JINX!!!!!]
• Illinois is 17-6 over the last two seasons, including 13 Power-4 wins, 10 Big Ten wins, and wins over teams from every other Power-4 conference: the SEC (vs. South Carolina, 2024), the ACC (at Duke, 2025), and the Big XII (Kansas, 2024). [YAY US!]
• Illinois is 12-2 against unranked teams over the last two seasons (2024-25). [OH BOY, THE JINX IS COMING]
• Illinois is 11-2 at home over the last two seasons (2024-25). [HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE GAME @ WISCONSIN]
• Illinois has 30 wins over the last four seasons, tied for its most wins over a four-year period since winning 31 games from 1981-84. The Illini also won 30 games from 1989-92, 1988-91, and 1982-85. [SAD BUT TRUE!]
• With one more win, Illinois would tie its most wins over a four-year period since 1902-05. [SAD BUT TRUE! THE JINX IS IN....NOOOOOOOOOO!]
• Illinois has 35 wins over the last five seasons, tied for its most wins over a five-year period since winning 36 games from 1988-92. [SAD BUT TRUE!]
[I HAVE THE SIRIUSXM METALLICA CHANNEL ON ALL THE TIME IN THE CAR IF YOU COULD NOT TELL....]
The Illinois-Wisconsin Series
• Saturday's game is the 92nd matchup in the series between the Fighting Illini and the Badgers.
• Illinois is 39-45-7 all-time vs. Wisconsin, including a 17-25-4 mark in Madison. [HOW THE FUCK DO YOU HAVE A LOSING RECORD TO WISCONSIN OVER 92 YEARS?]
• Wisconsin defeated Illinois, 25-21, in the most recent matchup in the series, Oct. 21, 2023 in Champaign. Luke Altmyer posted 200 yards of total offense (100 passing, 100 rushing), and Kaden Feagin ran for 97 yards and a touchdown in the narrow defeat. Altmyer also threw for two scores - to tight ends Tanner Arkin and Tip Reiman. Illinois staked to 21-7 lead through the first three quarters of the game before the Badgers charged back with 18 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, including the game-winning score with just 27 seconds to play. [THAT WAS A BULLSHIT GAME....STOP WITH THE PREVENT OFFENSE CRAP! AND COVER THE IDIOTS WEARING WR/TE NUMBERS REGARDLESS WHERE THEY LINE UP!]
• Illinois last visited Camp Randall Stadium in 2022 when head coach Bret Bielema led the Illini to a 34-10 road win, the program's first in Madison in the previous 20 years. Illinois outscored the Badgers 17-0 in the third quarter and held Wisconsin to just two total rushing yards for the game. The 24-point margin of victory marked Illinois' third-largest win in Madison and the largest margin of victory for the Illini in a Big Ten road game since 2015. In the deciding third quarter, the Illini held the Badgers to just 10 total yards and Wisconsin did not complete a pass or gain a first down. Quarterback Tommy DeVito punched in three 1-yard touchdown runs and RB Chase Brown tallied 129 yards on the ground, including a 49-yard scoring run in the third quarter. [I AM DEMANDING A REPEAT PERFORMANCE]
• The 1995 game between the Illini and Wisconsin holds historical significance as the last college football game to end in a tie (final score was 3-3). Overtime rules were instituted the following season. [WAS A DOOZY OF A GAME]
• Illinois' most receiving yards vs. Wisconsin: 167, David Williams, 10/6/1984
• Illinois' most rushing yards vs. Wisconsin: 239, Jim Grabowski, 11/14/1964
• Illinois' most passing yards vs. Wisconsin: 479, Tony Eason, 10/23/1982
• Illinois' longest rush vs. Wisconsin: 80, Reggie Corbin, 10/20/2018
• Illinois' longest pass vs. Wisconsin: 86, Tony Eason to Oliver Williams, 10/24/1981
• Last 100-yard receiving game vs. Wisconsin: Steve Hull, 105, 10/19/2013
• Last 100-yard rushing game vs. Wisconsin: Luke Altmyer, 100, 10/21/2023
• Last 300-yard passing game vs. Wisconsin: Jon Beutjer, 319, 11/9/2002
[THESE NUMBERS ARE DEPRESSING]
• Illinois head coach Bret Bielema was formerly the defensive coordinator (2004-05) and head coach (2006-12) at Wisconsin. In seven season as head coach, Bielema led the Badgers to three straight Big Ten championships (2010-12) and six consecutive bowl games with a 68-24 record (.739).
Mr. Roberts, the PATheyManHeSheIt will be in Madison for this sterling B1G match. How should I dress for the game?
(https://i.postimg.cc/MM2YfJZR/Mr-Roberts.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MM2YfJZR)
Mr. Roberts: Well, big fella, you better bring your full-length raccoon coat and gloves along with your Go Illini pennant for this roaring gridiron showdown! As you will be at Wandos and other establishments pregame, I will forgo the afternoon elements. Your evening game forecast:
38° RealFeel® 35° Partly cloudy
Wind W 6 mph
Wind Gusts 9 mph (pretty dapper!)
Humidity 71%
Dew Point 30°
Probability of Precipitation 7%
Precipitation 0.00 in
Cloud Cover 75%
Visibility 10 mi
Brent and Greek, what have you for us?
(https://i.postimg.cc/3kxf3hWW/Greek.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3kxf3hWW)
Brent: You called the under last week. Good job.
Greek: I at least got something right.
Brent: On (to) Wisconsin. Started Illini -9.5. Now can get -8.5 to -7.5. What happened?
Greek: The sharps, again, are betting against Illinois. You should do the same.
Brent: Yet, the Illini are 7-3 against the spread. Wisconsin is 5-5. Moneyline is all over the place. Started Illini -345. Now at -350 to -310 depending where you bet. Wisky started +275. Now at +280 to +260.
Greek: Two words: Because Illinois. No one putting money down believes this is the Golden Age of the Golden Era of Illini sports. Except for some guy in Tennessee.
Brent: Over/Under. You have been killing it here lately Greek. Started 41.5. Still hovering around that mark. Can get it from 40.5 to 41.5. Illini 5-5 on the over/under.
Greek: Illini 5-5 on the over/under. Wisconsin is 2-8. As we have seen, the refs hate Illinois. Illinois has a bad defense, but Wisconsin stinks. Illini will unsuccessfully try and run the ball, control the clock, and show nothing on tape for their big Land of Lincoln matchup with Northwestern...I am rolling my eyes with that one....take the under yet again.
Anyone attending? Go Illini!
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Stolen from usual sources....
Mr. Roberts, the PATheyManHeSheIt will be in Madison for this sterling B1G match. How should I dress for the game?
(https://i.postimg.cc/MM2YfJZR/Mr-Roberts.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MM2YfJZR)
Brent and Greek, what have you for us?
(https://i.postimg.cc/3kxf3hWW/Greek.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3kxf3hWW)
Anyone attending? Go Illini!
Snorted out loud again this week. The pregame rundown you posted proves we are IN A GOLDEN ERA!!!!
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Stolen from usual sources....
Mr. Roberts, the PATheyManHeSheIt will be in Madison for this sterling B1G match. How should I dress for the game?
(https://i.postimg.cc/MM2YfJZR/Mr-Roberts.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MM2YfJZR)
Brent and Greek, what have you for us?
(https://i.postimg.cc/3kxf3hWW/Greek.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3kxf3hWW)
Anyone attending? Go Illini!
Thank you, and I will tune in to find out !!!
"[STILL UNRANKED] Illinois at Wisconsin"
The AP is fake news at this time of year. Illinois is #21 in TOOTTM.
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Thank you, and I will tune in to find out !!!
"[STILL UNRANKED] Illinois at Wisconsin"
The AP is fake news at this time of year. Illinois is #21 in TOOTTM.
So you're saying there's a chance!?
I await Mn's Weekly Opponent Fish Wrap Write Up addition to the game thread
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So you're saying there's a chance!?
I await Mn's Weekly Opponent Fish Wrap Write Up addition to the game thread
Nope. We left that chance in the locker room at the half in Seattle.
You'll get nothing from me from the opponent. I'm in your 'LET'S RUN IT UP ON THEM THIS WEEK, BERT! camp. Its the bowl pecking order now.
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"We have replaced them. They are no longer Wisconsin football as you knew them. They are a shell of badger big ten football. WE joined the new era. They didn't"
Boy that'll get the player pumped
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Looking like the temp will be above 40 for the game.
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Looking like the temp will be above 40 for the game.
Good thing Jared Goff isn't playing
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1130am arrival in Madison....
And the AggSon had the dagger goal to help the Illini beat Michigan last night in hockey....
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1130am arrival in Madison....
And the AggSon had the dagger goal to help the Illini beat Michigan last night in hockey....
game is at 6:30 PM? Impressive sir! Bring home a win.
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1130am arrival in Madison....
And the AggSon had the dagger goal to help the Illini beat Michigan last night in hockey....
Good job, AggSon.
I did see a bit of the gophers taking down #5 tPSU with a 3 goal 2nd period.
The refs called a slashing penalty. Both guys in the booth were talking about the days when that slash was never called. One guy says to the other, 'if they called it when you were playing your mailing address would have been the penalty box.' Lol
Enjoy the game.
Beat the Badgers !!!
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1130am arrival in Madison....
And the AggSon had the dagger goal to help the Illini beat Michigan last night in hockey....
Nice!
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At the Kollege Klub....
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At the Kollege Klub....
I’d say “oh the memories” but generally don’t remember that part
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At Wando's. Thinking Arkin family next to usm
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Having a Damguday Hazy in Nashville go Illini!
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Golden age of Illini golden showers
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Fourth string scout freshman QB already marching all over our sorry ass defense.
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That was too easy. Even if it took them 10 minutes.
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Golden age of Illini golden showers
I blame the fans at the game
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PAjinxman
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Hey we woke up!
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Embarrassing half against a shit team with one of the worst NCAA Offenses
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Disappointing half…
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Playing down to the Badgers level
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Not good, and everybody contributed.
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Would have been great to get that fumble
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I was told that Wisconsin was bad at football
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Witnessing a Bielama Special here
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Witnessing a Bielama Special here
Need a Broncos impersonation now - not just with colors
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This is a joke
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Just incompetent from the start
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Bielema special.
He isn't that good
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We don't have that play
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Salisbury Steak TV dinner bowl here we come
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Bielema should be sent packing his bags
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3rd and 14 and no Illini defender in sight
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Bielema special.
He isn't that good
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
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Back in Mackovic 7-4 territory
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This is a joke
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I was told that Wisconsin was bad at football
What were you told about Illini football?
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Salisbury Steak TV dinner bowl here we come
I remember getting smoked here a few weeks back for suggesting making the playoffs was an uphill battle.
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Can not make the playoffs and not get smoked by a shit Wisconsin team, Tempo. There is no way you should be taking a victory lap here
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The good news is the OL is back. The bad news is the OL is back.
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27 points allowed to a Badgers offense that scored 47 points total in conference play.
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I'm done with this crap. Fuck Guenther Jr. and Bielema
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27 points allowed to a Badgers offense that scored 47 points total in conference play.
Biut Tempo says But Illinois
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Bielema should be sent packing his bags
I blame that SH*THEAD Josh Whitman (he's Jewish right?), a resume scanner..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qAfNQEJqX0
"I want to say something to the young people of America. John WOoden didn't become a WINNER (champion) his 1st SIXTEEN YEARS. a national title. Until he was in his 50's, 60's"
-- Curt Gowdy, ABC announcer, 1975 NCAA Championship game (UCLA VS Kentucky)
John Wooden was hired by UCLA for program development..NOT a re-tread. Like WHitman did with Brad Underwood & Brett Bielema
Whitman is a Jew -- JEWS & Money/$$. Throwing $$ at the problem..
"We WILL win" (you mean we SUCK??)-- hired that idiot (Lovie Smith) to pack Memorial Stadium -- just DUMB.. based on Marketing /Promotion
"People don't buy Good Products, they buy GOOD MARKETING"
-- Business 101
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I'm done with this crap. Fuck Guenther Jr. and Bielema
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We had 20 yards rushing from the 4 running backs.
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A team that's talented but has no interest in being good.
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Biut Tempo says But Illinois
LOL wut
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So are we enjoying this golden era?
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I need Custard to weigh in.
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A team that's talented but has no interest in being good.
And coaches that have no interest in coaching
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I need Custard to weigh in.
You are the idiot who wasn't watching the game but declared that letting a bottom 5 offense waltz down the field the first series, and then gained 301 yards and scored 27 points, wasn't concerning.....
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You are the idiot who wasn't watching the game but declared that letting a bottom 5 offense waltz down the field the first series, and then gained 301 yards and scored 27 points, wasn't concerning.....
After one drive? Probably not anything to lose your mind over. By the end of the third quarter, it was more than reasonable to be concerned. This is Illinois athletics. You should be used to this.
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I watched some of the game. You know what else I did?
-Made dinner for my kid
-Cleaned up afterwards
-Listened to my son play songs he’s learning on his new keyboard
-Played a few video games with my son
-Took my dog outside for a short walk
-Took a shower
You know what I didn’t do?
-Lose my mind over an Illini football game
-Verbally abuse someone via text
I think I probably had a nicer evening than you.
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You are the idiot who wasn't watching the game but declared that letting a bottom 5 offense waltz down the field the first series, and then gained 301 yards and scored 27 points, wasn't concerning.....
You were off the rails in the 1st quarter. Well before the 27 points.
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But hey, you were “right.” As I said, I’m sure you’re always able to predict the outcome with 100% accuracy with less than 20% of the game played. It’s yet another of your many talents.
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I watched some of the game. You know what else I did?
-Made dinner for my kid
-Cleaned up afterwards
-Listened to my son play songs he’s learning on his new keyboard
-Played a few video games with my son
-Took my dog outside for a short walk
-Took a shower
You know what I didn’t do?
-Lose my mind over an Illini football game
-Verbally abuse someone via text
I think I probably had a nicer evening than you.
What a shit head.
Dude you have the worst takes. Stick with the Twotter idiots and leave the analysis to those who actually watch the games and know Fields sucks ass
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You were off the rails in the 1st quarter. Well before the 27 points.
Uh, because I saw how the Illinois Defense got pushed around by a bittom 5 NCAA offense....
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LOL
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But hey, you were “right.” As I said, I’m sure you’re always able to predict the outcome with 100% accuracy with less than 20% of the game played. It’s yet another of your many talents.
It would be nice if you actually knew what you were talking about before pontificating at least 20 percent of the tine time
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LOL
You know who wasn't watching? You. Maybe stop talking out your ass once in awhile? Idiot.
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Tonight over text I was:
-Called a jackass at least 4x
-Called a “fucking jackass” at least another 3x
-Told I should shut the fuck up
-Called a moron at least 4x
-Told to “go suck Fields’ cock fuckface”
-Told to “shut my pie hole moron”
And that wasn’t even all of it, simply because I said maybe we shouldn’t overreact to a bad defensive series in the first quarter.
Totally rational behavior.
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You know who wasn't watching? You. Maybe stop talking out your ass once in awhile? Idiot.
Yep. I was wrong. You were right. The game was over in the 1st quarter. Here’s your prize. 🏆
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Tonight over text I was:
-Called a jackass at least 4x
-Called a “fucking jackass” at least another 3x
-Told I should shut the fuck up
-Called a moron at least 4x
-Told to “go suck Fields’ cock fuckface”
-Told to “shut my pie hole moron”
And that wasn’t even all of it, simply because I said maybe we shouldn’t overreact to a bad defensive series in the first quarter.
Totally rational behavior.
At least someone is texting you :(
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I can’t wait to see the meltdown here when a one armed Aaron Rodgers ends the Bears mirage
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Tempo and PAMan showing more fight in this stupid ass argument than the Illini did for an entire 60 minutes of the game tonight.
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Tempo and PAMan showing more fight in this stupid ass argument than the Illini did for an entire 60 minutes of the game tonight.
A+
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Tonight over text I was:
-Called a jackass at least 4x
-Called a “fucking jackass” at least another 3x
-Told I should shut the fuck up
-Called a moron at least 4x
-Told to “go suck Fields’ cock fuckface”
-Told to “shut my pie hole moron”
And that wasn’t even all of it, simply because I said maybe we shouldn’t overreact to a bad defensive series in the first quarter.
Totally rational behavior.
You were not watching the game yet commenting with shit takes on what was happening on the field. So yes it would be smart to not be a jackass and shut the fuck up in such situations. Somehow that's a controversial take in your bizarro world.
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Tempo and PAMan showing more fight in this stupid ass argument than the Illini did for an entire 60 minutes of the game tonight.
Ones of us actually watched the danned game....
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You were not watching the game yet commenting with shit takes on what was happening on the field. So yes it would be smart to not be a jackass and shut the fuck up in such situations. Somehow that's a controversial take in your bizarro world.
I didn’t have any “takes on what happened on the field.” I simply said I wouldn’t have a meltdown over one drive in the 1st quarter. Which in most people’s view would be a reasonable take. But hey, you were right (and aren’t you always?!). To commemorate this moment we will hang a plaque in the ladies room.
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Ones of us actually watched the danned game....
This is the new Tempo meme. “He never watches the games, yet has opinions!”
True, I don’t watch every play of every game. But I watch a fair bit, and usually enough to have an idea of what’s up. And I rarely (if ever) give a specific take on a game I’m not watching. Keep on a memein’ though.
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I challenge you to find a specific take on a specific game (that I didn’t watch).
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The challenge will go unanswered I’m very confident.
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What do you plan on doing with all your huge winnings after you live bet the badgers in the first quarter?
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Please tell me you put your analytical genius to good use
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I can’t wait to see the meltdown here when a one armed Aaron Rodgers ends the Bears mirage
Even better when Mason Rudolph and Caleb Williams team up to do it
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I challenge you to find a specific take on a specific game (that I didn’t watch).
Seriously just stop posting about stuff you aren't watching. Way beyond annoying at this point
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The challenge will go unanswered I’m very confident.
Fuck off, idiot. They got their asses handed to them from the start of the game. But you didn't fucking see it but can lecture others who did.
Just stick to dealing with the fake Twotter posters . You fit in there perfectly with your ignorant takes.
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Seriously just stop posting about stuff you aren't watching. Way beyond annoying at this point
LOL Laydown noted
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Nm
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Get a room lads
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Get a room lads
Not until we’ve shared a Bloomin’ onion.
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Not until we’ve shared a Bloomin’ onion.
Custard will appreciate being shared
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I challenge you to find a specific take on a specific game (that I didn’t watch).
The WI game you weren't watching where you claimed the first series where not a big deal and, yet, they were, as predicted, representative of the whole game.... Much like they were in the Washington game.... Since history actually repeats itself on occassion especially when it comes to Illinois football ineptitude.
Boom.
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Boom.
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Boom.
How are those Fields-Dak comparisons holding up?!
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How are those Fields-Dak comparisons holding up?!
A little bit better than Andre Curbelo to the HOF.
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A little bit better than Andre Curbelo to the HOF.
Well done 👏🏼
*If he stayed healthy was a caveat…
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I need Custard to weigh in.
The game was an abomination. I didn’t have a good feeling about it all week long. We lost in the trenches on both sides like every other loss this year. Somehow what should have been a solid veteran O line has been a glaring weakness week in and week out. It was obvious early on in the season that we were fucked there.
The loss of Xavier Scott was huge because he erased so many mistakes on D. Especially given the fact that our D line can’t get any pressure while we sit in soft zones. Rich, lazy Gabe Jacas playing like a guy on his a huge second NFL contract rather than a guy that should be playing for a second round NFL draft pick.
I think Aaron Henry needs to be demoted (not fired) to DB coach and we need to go get a proven DC. I imagine there will be hell to pay after this season for the line coaches, and the new line staff will need to go out and get some big uglies so we don’t get ragdolled by 2/3 of the teams we play.
Here’s the thing: We brought back a ton of starters from last year, and guess what? We have basically the same team as last year. Just with a considerably tougher schedule this year. We have lost to #1 and #2, a talented Washington team at their place, and a better-than-their-record Wisconsin team in Camp Randall. The USC win is better than any regular reason win we had last year. The CFP talk was mostly nonsense, because while we stuck with the status quo and ran it back, a bunch of other teams we played went out and got better. We simply don’t have the depth other programs do because we haven’t had the NIL money.
That being said, even if we lose to NU, (and we will) Bielema’s stretch at Illinois will still be the best 5 year stretch here since who knows when. Late 80s to early 90s? Fans are still showing up at games in November. We just got a $100 MILLION (with an M, for Murph) donation for football. We are light years ahead of where we were at the beginning of this decade.
People will point out, oh, look what IU is doing, though! They have been worse than us historically and they got a mid major guy and now they’re awesome! That’s a great point and all, but that’s the exception that proves the rule. IU donors have ponied up way more than UI donors have for NIL bags the last couple of years. (Until the Gies windfall, how that gets spent TBD)
Also, yeah, he signed a big money extension with them, but let’s see what actually happens when the blue bloods come calling and up the ante. Cig is a scumbag egomaniac and I have to believe he’ll have eyes for a big time program. Will definitely be interesting to see where both programs are a few years from now.
I kinda like the situation we are in with a steady return to relevance with limited resources and now having a huge infusion of cash pumped into the program, versus a flash-in-the-pan situation at a shit program with a shit stadium that’s just not going to sustain this level of success. I can’t think of a single modern situation where a coach came into a similar situation, built a powerhouse, and then just stuck around until he retired.
So yeah. We still have head scratching losses, but you’d have to go back to the time when Ray and Alum were in knickers to find a stretch of football better than this at Illinois. It’s a golden era.
When Lovie was dismissed, everyone just said, “Give me 6-8 wins a year with an occasional 9-10 win season and I’ll be happy!” That is exactly what we have right now, despite bottom half of the B1G resources to this point. Under Bielema, we have been punching above our weight when it comes to resources and tradition. I think we continue to build and get better.
As always in this pay for play era, remember to donate 10% of your earnings to NIL or STFU!
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As always in this pay for play era, remember to donate 10% of your earnings to NIL or STFU!
I enjoy the games but any money donated will go to Academics. More important to compete with Berkeley and Stanford on that front.
Memorial Stadium overhaul was probably nothing compared to that new North Quad - which is probably as it should be.
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We got beat everywhere. And that includes the coaches.
We got beat by a freshman QB in his 2nd start. We let Wisco do what we knew they would do.
We went from #21 to getting 1 vote in the AP top 25.
Not ideal.
We can still finish 8-4 and stay out of NYC or Detroit for a bowl game but I wouldn't be surprised if we finish 7-5 and looking at NYC.
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I enjoy the games but any money donated will go to Academics. More important to compete with Berkeley and Stanford on that front.
Memorial Stadium overhaul was probably nothing compared to that new North Quad - which is probably as it should be.
You chose STFU. That’s okay!
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We got beat everywhere. And that includes the coaches.
We got beat by a freshman QB in his 2nd start. We let Wisco do what we knew they would do.
We went from #21 to getting 1 vote in the AP top 25.
Not ideal.
We can still finish 8-4 and stay out of NYC or Detroit for a bowl game but I wouldn't be surprised if we finish 7-5 and looking at NYC.
I don't think we were actually ranked in the AP were we? I think that was our CFP ranking. But one vote sounds about right. Or one too many.
Wisconsin may be 4-7 but there’s still a ton of talent and depth and size there, and Fickell isn’t chopped liver. They flustered the shit out of Washington a few weeks ago too. They were a bad matchup for our finesse football team, which seems ludicrous to say about a BB team, but here we are.
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Against Wisconsin I think we were 23 or maybe 21 still.
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It said #21 on the screen during the game but I looked up the AP poll because I was fairly certain we weren’t ranked and we weren’t. But maybe it was the previous week poll or something. Pretty sure they were using CFP rating.
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I don't know what they were using to have us at #21 but the team that knew what to expect didn't come to play.
Losing happens. Not coming to play shouldn't. Nonetheless, our 1 vote is 1 more vote than pre-season Top 10 teams tPSU, Clemson and LSU.