IlliniHQ 2
General Category => Halas Hall Football Forum => Topic started by: ThePAMan on September 07, 2026, 05:09:41 PM
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Stolen, recycled stuff from fightingillini.com, except where indicated...
Illinois vs. Duke
Date | Time Saturday, Sept. 12 | 2:30 p.m. CT
Location Champaign, Ill. (Gies Memorial Stadium) {TURN BACK JUDGE JUDY!}
Tickets Sold Out {VERY EXCITING}
TV FS1 {NOT VERY EXCITING FOR THOSE OF YOU WATCHING FROM HOME}
Radio Busey Bank Illini Sports Network | Sirius XM (113/232)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois is set to host reigning ACC champion Duke in one of the marquee nonconference matchups of the 2026 season Saturday at Gies Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT on FS1.
Illinois (1-0) is coming off a 42-23 win over UAB last Thursday, while Duke (1-0) won its opener over Tulane 17-3 on Saturday.
The Illini and Blue Devils are two of the most successful programs in Power-4 over the last two seasons, with Illinois registering 20 wins since 2024 and Duke having won 19 games since 2024. Illinois is coming off back-to-back 9+ win seasons for the first time in program history, while Duke won nine games in both 2024 and 2025, marking just the second time in program history the Blue Devils posted consecutive nine-win campaigns.
Jack Kizer (play-by-play) - {Jack is a freelance play-by-play broadcaster with experience calling games for Big Ten Network, the University of Louisville, and other Division I schools.
Jack has broadcasted various sports for BTN including football, men's/women's basketball, baseball, softball, lacrosse, men's/women's soccer, field hockey, and gymnastics. Jack is also currently the TV voice of Louisville Baseball on ACC Network Extra and Bellarmine basketball on ESPN+.
Other recent opportunities for Jack include filling in as a radio host/sideline reporter for the Indiana Pacers along with calling games for the Indiana Mad Ants (G-League), Indy Eleven (USL Professional Soccer), Indy Ignite (Pro Volleyball Federation), and on radio for the Indianapolis Indians (Triple-A Affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates).
Jack served as the the No. 2 broadcaster and media relations assistant for the Dayton Dragons (High-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds) in the summer of 2021 after graduating from Ball State University in May of 2020.
Jack's broadcasting journey (Carmel, IN native) began at Carmel High School's student radio station, WHJE, in 2014. His dream led himi to Sports Link, an immersive learning program at Ball State University. While at Ball State, Jack was fortunate to create many new friendships while gaining phenomenal sports media experience.
Jack is blessed with an amazing wife, daughter, and two dogs - Winnie and Moose. Believe it or not, Jack enjoys watching sports in my free time and visiting family. While Jack doesn't play often, his hidden talent is ping-pong. Jack strongly believes he could challenge Forrest Gump.
A career counselor once called Jack a sports neurotic, and he has embraced it ever since. Jack is very fortunate to have found his passion and is excited for what the future holds} - and Mark Helfrich (analyst) have the national television broadcast on FS1.
The Busey Bank Illini Sports Network has the radio call with Brian Barnhart (play-by-play), Carey Davis (analyst), and Kevin Mitchell (sideline).
New Traffic Patterns
The University of Illinois Division of Public Safety and the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) will implement a lot-specific traffic-routing system for the 2026 Illinois football season. The new routes are designed to ease traffic as much as possible, but fans are encouraged to arrive earlier than usual and review their designated gameday parking route on the Illinois Football 2026 Parking Updates website in advance.
Notes
Game 1 Notes
• Nine Illini made their first career starts at Illinois in the season-opening win over UAB: QB Katin Houser, WR Brayden Trimble, LT Christian Martin, LG Maika Matelau, C Jake Renfro, DB Jakwon Morris, LB Ismael Kante, LB Mason Muragin, DL Darrell Prater.
• Illinois quarterback Katin Houser had the eighth-best passing efficiency in a game in program history and the best ever in an Illini debut (224.6). Houser was 13-of-17 passing, totaled 211 yards of offense, and accounted for four touchdowns (3 passing, 1 rushing).
• New Illini on defense accounted for 4.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack, with Ean Rhea (1.0 sack, 2.0 TFL), Will Holmes (0.5 TFL), Darrell Prater (0.5 TFL), and Cameron Thomas (1.0 TFL) causing havoc.
•LB Ismael Kante had the longest interception return for a touchdown in the nation this season (59 yards vs. UAB).
Stacking Wins
• Illinois ranks fourth in the Big Ten - behind only Indiana, Ohio State, and Oregon - in four major categories over the last two seasons: winning percentage (.741), ranked wins (6), home wins (13), and Power-4 wins (15).
• Illinois has won 10 straight nonconference games dating back to 2023.
• Illinois is looking to start 2-0 for the third straight season.
• Illinois had six ranked wins over the last two seasons, including five AP-ranked wins (Tennessee was ranked #23 by the coaches but unranked in the AP at last year's Music City Bowl), the fourth-most ranked wins in the Big Ten.
• Illinois had 15 Power-4 wins over the last two seasons, fourth Big Ten behind only Ohio State (21), Indiana (21), and Oregon (20).
• Illinois set the program record for the most wins at Gies Memorial Stadium over a two-year period (12). The Illini went 12-2 at home over the last two years with 6-1 records at home in back-to-back seasons.
• Illinois went 19-7 from 2024-25, including 15 Power-4 wins, 11 Big Ten wins, and wins over teams from every other Power-4 conference: the SEC (vs Tennessee, 2025; vs. South Carolina, 2024), the ACC (at Duke, 2025), and the Big XII (Kansas, 2024).
• Illinois was one of 15 teams to have consecutive 9+-win seasons in 2024 and 2025, along with Alabama, BYU, Duke, Georgia, Indiana, Louisville, Miami (Fla.), Notre Dame, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Oregon, SMU, TCU, and Texas.
• Illinois was 6-4 against ranked teams and 13-3 against unranked teams over the last two seasons.
• Illinois is looking to be postseason eligible for a third straight season, a feat the program has not achieved since 1992.
On the Rise
• Illinois set the program record for the most wins over a two-year period with 19 from 2024-25.
• Illinois had back-to-back 9+-win seasons for the first time in program history with 10 wins in 2024 and nine in 2025.
• Illinois had 37 wins over the last five seasons (2021-25), tied for its most wins over a five-year period since 1901-05. [THE TRUE GOLDEN ERA!]
• Illinois had 32 wins over the last four seasons (2022-25), tied for its most wins over a four-year period since 1900-03.
• Illinois had 8+ wins three times in a four-year span for the first time since 1901-04.
• Illinois set the program record for the most wins at Gies Memorial Stadium over a two-year period (12). The Illini are 12-2 at home over the last two years (6-1 each season).
Head Coach Bret {HE'S TRASH!} Bielema
• Bret Bielema is 38-26 during his Illinois career. His .594 winning percentage is the second-best in Illinois history among head coaches that have coached at least 50 games for the Fighting Illini.
• Bielema set the program record for wins in a head coach's first five seasons. Bielema won 37 games during his first five seasons at Illinois, passing Mike White's 34 wins from 1980-84.
• Bielema is the first head coach in Illinois history to win 9+ games twice and win 8+ games three times.
• Illinois won 23 Big Ten Conference games in Bret Bielema's first five seasons at Illinois. It is Illinois' most Big Ten wins in a five-year period since also winning 23 Big Ten games from 1990-94.
• Bielema has eight ranked wins as Illinois head coach, tied for the second-most in program history.
• Bielema is 8-9 against ranked teams as Illinois head coach. His .470 winning percentage against ranked teams is the second-best in Illinois history, behind only John Mackovic (8-8, .500) (rankings include AP, Coaches, and CFP polls).
• Bielema is the first head coach in Illinois history to win 5+ games in each of his first five seasons in Champaign.
• Bielema's five road/neutral ranked wins (AP/Coaches/CFP) are the most of any coach in Illini history during his first five seasons in Champaign (2021 Penn State, 2021 Minnesota, 2024 Nebraska, 2024 South Carolina, 2025 Tennessee).
• Bielema's 11 Big Ten road wins are tied with Mike White for the most by an Illinois head coach during his first five seasons.
• Since Bielema's arrival for the 2021 season, Illinois' 14 wins as an underdog are the most in the Big Ten, according to data compiled by TeamRankings.com. The Illini's .424 winning percentage as an underdog (14-19) is the second-best in the Big Ten behind only Michigan's .438 (7-9) mark.
• Bielema tied the Illinois record for most bowl victories (2) during this year's Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl. Prior to Bielema, only Ray Eliot (1947 Rose, 1952 Rose) had won two bowl games as the head coach at Illinois.
• Bielema tied the Illinois record for most bowls coached during last year's Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl.
In the Rankings
• Illinois opened the season receiving votes in both the Coaches Poll and AP Top 25. The Illini were four spots out of the Coaches Poll and eight spots out of the AP Top 25.
• Illinois finished the 2025 season ranked #25 in the US LBM Coaches Poll. The Illini were one spot out of the AP Top 25.
• Illinois finished ranked in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1989-90.
• Illinois went 6-4 against ranked opponents over the last two seasons (2024-25). From the 2008 Rose Bowl game through the 2023 season, Illinois went 5-41 against ranked teams and two of those wins were under Bielema in 2021 (at #7/8 Penn State; at #20 Minnesota).
Advance Weather for Saturday from Channel 9's own Harry Volkman!
(https://i.postimg.cc/bZyp2MBN/HV.webp) (https://postimg.cc/bZyp2MBN)
Harry: Mr. Roberts is on assignment this Labor Day. He will be back during the week to give gametime temps. Today's boutonniere is from the fine students at Prairieview-Ogden CCSD 197!
Now for what you want!
Saturday: 85° Mostly cloudy and humid
RealFeel® 86°
RealFeel Shade™ 82°
24% precipitation
SW 8 mph
Intervals of clouds and sunshine in the morning with more clouds for later in the day.
Humidity 74%
UV Index 6 of 11
Sunrise 6:31 am
Sunset 7:06 pm
Night 62°
24% precipitation
N 6 mph
Partly cloudy. Low 62F. Winds light and variable.
Humidity 91%
UV Index 0 of 11
Moonrise 8:10 am
Moonset 7:39 pm
Moon - Waxing Crescent
Harry: Mr. Roberts will be back later in the week with more!
Odds from VSiN! I do not like the changes to the website.
Open: Illini -6/7/7.5 depending on your app
Current: Illinois -6/7/7.5 Can get -6.5 +100 at BetMGM.
ML: Puke: +190/195/220!
Illini: -220/225/275!
O/U: 53.5/54.5
Illini 0-1 ATS.
Tempo's Krazy Kompendium of Krap, sponsored by the Peotone Travel Center:
The newest and most prominent large-scale travel stop directly along I-57 is the Peotone Travel Center! Conveniently located off Exit 327 at 601 S. 88th Avenue in Peotone, Illinois.
Amenities: Large truck parking capacity, clean private showers, a full convenience store, an on-site food court, a driver's lounge, free Wi-Fi, and a CAT scale.
Security: Features bright lighting, 24/7 operations, and on-site security personnel
Also featuring: Charley's Cheesesteaks: Serves grilled-to-order cheesesteaks, chicken wings, and fries.
Dunkin': Offers coffee, donuts, and breakfast items.
Rosati's Pizza Express: Serves a selection of popular pizzas and Italian items.
Mela Indian Kitchen: Offers a limited menu of Indian dishes like chicken tikka masala and curry.
The Peotone Travel Center features standard Illinois video gaming and poker terminals in its dedicated gaming lounge. Six of the facility's video poker and gaming machines were temporarily damaged during a break-in and robbery!
There is no website so I cannot tell you how many urinals and stalls there are. Sorry Jasn! This is their statement on The Goggle, grammatical issues and all:
"PEOTONE TRAVEL CENTER is a comprehensive travel stop to cater the needs of travelers on the go. Conveniently located just off the interstate I-57 exit 327. It serves as a rest and refuel point for the trucks, cars, motorists and leisure travelers. The facility offers free wi-fi, ATM and other services like, Fuel Station, Restroom/Hot tub/Spa, Shower room, Lounge and video gaming, Convenience Store, Food court and CAT scale. Peotone travel center prioritizes the safety and security of its visitors, with well-lit areas, surveillance cameras and on-site security personnel. Peotone Travel Center aims to make your journey more comfortable and enjoyable with its comprehensive services and amenities. Thank you and look forward to serving you"
I have not stopped here. Yet. On to Tempo!
Hello HQ2 Trump Warmongers and Corporate Democrats! Only pick winning bets, like putting your mortgage on all DSA-backed candidates on Kalshi. Also, Justin Fields sits at long-shot odds of +50,000 (or +20,000 at select books like Caesars) to win the 2026-27 NFL Most Valuable Player award. Bet it all on him! He's due! Have I ever misled you? I was, after all, 80% on all 50/50 balls thrown my way in high school! Still am!
ThePAOTCMan's Tailgate Update. Need a sponsor!
No clue what I am doing yet.
Great segment. That should drive sponsorships.
Go Illini.
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Hey thanks.
Is Jack Kizer going to have his dogs in the booth ?
Beat Dook !!!!
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Stolen, recycled stuff from fightingillini.com, except where indicated...
Advance Weather for Saturday from Channel 9's own Harry Volkman!
(https://i.postimg.cc/bZyp2MBN/HV.webp) (https://postimg.cc/bZyp2MBN)
Odds from VSiN! I do not like the changes to the website.
Tempo's Krazy Kompendium of Krap, sponsored by the Peotone Travel Center:
I have not stopped here. Yet. On to Tempo!
ThePAOTCMan's Tailgate Update. Need a sponsor!
Great segment. That should drive sponsorships.
Go Illini.
TYSM
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AP not feeling The Golden Era vibe right now....
Others receiving votes: Boise State 86, Florida 83, Michigan 69, Arizona 33, Memphis 23, South Carolina 19, Western Michigan 12, Pittsburgh 11, Navy 10, UCLA 7, Virginia Tech 6, Illinois 6, James Madison 4, Minnesota 4, Colorado 3, Auburn 2, Arizona State 2, Vanderbilt 2
Behind UCLA....yikes.
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We are back.....back by popular demand is Mr. Roberts with the updated forecast for Saturday.
(https://i.postimg.cc/rzRJ6MGZ/Mr-Roberts2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rzRJ6MGZ)
Babe and I have been pretty busy with Dolly. Yes, they're real and they're spectacular! Those bubbies pack a punch! What a sweet patootie Dolly is. Hot dog! She is the bee's knees! And she can sing! Babe and I have hit on all sixes with this one. On to the forecast.
2 PM
80° RealFeel® 85°
rain drop 0%
Intermittent clouds
RealFeel Shade™ 80°
Heat Index 80°
Wind ESE 6 mph
Air Quality Fair
3PM
81°
RealFeel® 85°
rain drop 0%
Intermittent clouds
RealFeel Shade™ 81°
Heat Index 83°
Wind E 6 mph
Air Quality Fair
4 PM
81°
RealFeel® 84°
rain drop0%
Intermittent clouds
RealFeel Shade™ 81°
Heat Index 83°
Wind E 6 mph
Air Quality Fair
5 PM
80°
RealFeel® 83°
rain drop0%
Intermittent clouds
RealFeel Shade™ 80°
Heat Index 82°
Wind E 6 mph
Air Quality Fair
6 PM
77°
RealFeel® 80°
rain drop0%
Intermittent clouds
RealFeel Shade™ 80°
Wind E 5 mph
Air Quality Fair
OK. That's enough. Babe and I have to get back to the petting party for the Jewish ladies before the holiday starts at sundown. We have Liz Taylor and Marilyn Monroe still to get to! We may invite Sammy Davis to hang with us over Ty Cobb's objections.
Thank you Mr. Roberts. Over to Jimmy and Brent for the latest odds.
(https://i.postimg.cc/7G2Bw2JZ/James-the-Greek.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7G2Bw2JZ)
Brent: Jimmy, you called it last week that the Illini would not cover. What are the updated odds and thoughts for this week?
Jimmy: Game is down to 5.5. Money line is -225 to 230 Illinois. Duke +180-190. Over/under now 51.5. Lot of movement for Duke and the under as Duke will want to run the ball. Take Duke and the under. Fans will be too busy looking at the new scoreboard to notice what is actually going on on the field.
Tailgate update:
Judge Judy will be in attendance. Hopefully he realizes it is a home game. Sub sandwiches, cigars (I am sure), beer, and more carbs than you can shake a stick at on the menu. Bourbon? We shall see if Judge Judy brings any to the game.
Other news and notes:
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Former Illinois wide receiver Brandon Lloyd will serve as the Fighting Illini's honorary captain for Saturday's sold out game against Duke at Gies Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT on FS1.
It will be a big weekend for Lloyd, who is being inducted into the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday and will celebrate the 25th year reunion of the 2001 Big Ten Championship team on Saturday. Lloyd was a star for the 2001 Illini that went 10-2, won the Big Ten title, and played in the Nokia Sugar Bowl.
Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 2 p.m. CT for special pregame elements prior to Saturday's kickoff. A giant American flag will be unveiled for the national anthem (pending weather and wind), while world-famous anthem singer Jim Cornelison is scheduled to sing the national anthem approximately 20 minutes prior to kickoff.
Other in-game elements include former Illini quarterback Kurt Kittner as the siren sounder at kickoff, the 2001 Big Ten Championship football team's reunion recognition at the end of the first quarter, and the Illini Athletics Hall of Fame induction recognition at halftime.
Go Illini!
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I L L .......
Many thanks for the info
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PAMan bringing the pregame heat! Boom
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Houser to Dixon connection is looking pretty damn good
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Judge Judy "lost" his ID. Probably left it at a strip bar.
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Not that there's anything wrong with that
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Looks like whoever has ball last will win this one. Our defense is fucking trash.
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The Dook QB had a tough week last week. 50% and missed passes.
Today ? 7-10 with 2 td's.
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Dook, 8.2 yards per play. Lol
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Trying figure out who is the bigger retard, Chris Getz making his team worse at the trade deadline or Guenther Jr playing Fantasy Football like Tempo and spending money on a scoreboard instead of OL and DL.
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Who called that 4th and 2 play? Mn?
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There's a reaaon Lunney is still OC after 5 years. He is a fucking idiot
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Who called that 4th and 2 play? Mn?
The fucking retard that is the OC
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Golden Era of shitheadedness
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So much for getting a stop.
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All that green in front of him and he chooses to force one downfield that gets picked.
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The Dook QB had a tough week last week. 50% and missed passes.
Today ? 7-10 with 2 td's.
Once again Mn with a poorly aged post
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Lame
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Barry Lunney is a dumb shit
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Golden Era of Retardnessness
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Barry Lunney is a dumb shit
I was told this was the Golden Era despite no championships
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A shitty half by Lunney to lose a home game to a team with 10 penalties for 107 yards.
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Duhon's Ribs > Bielema
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A shitty half by Lunney to lose a home game to a team with 10 penalties for 107 yards.
Uh, this team sucks. Spent all the money on a scoreboard. Typical East Cental Illinois stupidity
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Even Judge Judy is livid
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Send all of the Montana coaches packing.
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People leaving Gies Memorial Stadium agreeing with Judge Judy's complaints about usong money for a scorenoard instead of players
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Awful loss
But duke is solid
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The best part is Judge Judy looking for sympathy sex because the Illini lost on the way back from the game
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Awful loss
But duke is solid
Uh, no they aren't
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Awful loss
But duke is solid
Like their starting QB who was 13/26 against Tulane? TULANE???
Our gimmick ass FCS defense made him look like a Heisman candidate today.
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You guys wait. Duke will have 8 wins
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Like their starting QB who was 13/26 against Tulane? TULANE???
Our gimmick ass FCS defense made him look like a Heisman candidate today.
We played 3-3-5 last year.. Jacas had his hand down every down last year.. The talk is just Bieleman making excuses since Illinois fucked up rhe NIL momey for the DL because they spent it on a scoreboard
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If you want money for players,; donate it Or persuade others to do so.
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The University of Illinois could not use Larry Gies’s donation to buy better players because the $100 million gift was specifically earmarked by the donor for stadium infrastructure and facilities improvements.
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If you want money for players,; donate it Or persuade others to do so.
Or, not spend $100m on a acoreboard and spend it on players?
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The University of Illinois could not use Larry Gies’s donation to buy better players because the $100 million gift was specifically earmarked by the donor for stadium infrastructure and facilities improvements.
Because the retard AD agreed to that?
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Because the retard AD agreed to that?
If you were AD; you would turn down 100 million for stadium improvements?
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The best part is Judge Judy looking for sympathy sex because the Illini lost on the way back from the game
Did you give it to him?
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If you were AD; you would turn down 100 million for stadium improvements?
The best improvement a stadium can have is a larger number on the scoreboard for the home team
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Millennials and zoomers care about having the coolest scoreboard ever.
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Is the golden era over?
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If you were AD; you would turn down 100 million for stadium improvements?
I'd say, let's use it on fucking players like Indiana
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People passing by agreeing with Judge Judy re scoreboard versus players
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The best improvement a stadium can have is a larger number on the scoreboard for the home team
Diverting money from a fund for a scoreboard to income for players is a good way lose donors and get fired.
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People passing by agreeing with Judge Judy re scoreboard versus players
I can help them find the right way to donate money for players.
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Judge Judy has the ear of the people left in Lot 46. i remonded him of The PAOTCMan's words regarding the use of the money. He acknowledged my concerns.
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I can help them find the right way to donate money for players.
Besides the money rhey already donated for the parking?
I note RV parking has gone from $50 to $150.
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Besides the money rhey already donated for the parking?
I note RV parking has gone from $50 to $150.
I'd guess 100 million talks louder.
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That fucking injury time out rule bit us in.the ass
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I want the government to spend money on healthcare instead of ICE thugs and bombs..
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Poor tackling, stupid penalties and bad play calling bit us in the ass.
We lost plenty in the front 7 but this one's on the coaches.
A path to a bowl game got tougher.
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Millennials and zoomers care about having the coolest scoreboard ever.
Boomers and Xers donate more money and care about wins
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That scoreboard is ass. No wonder the area locals are pissed about the light pollution
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Boomers and Xers donate more money and care about wins
You sound like the chief haters
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I am not a big fan of jumbotrons, but they are the thing in college football. All the cool programs have one. And we have the biggest one ever.
Anyone who thinks it was either stadium upgrades to include the jumbo jumbotron or NIL money is confused.
Build a jumbotron. People will come. .
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The scoreboard has nothing to do with why our defense is trash and our offense lost any mojo in the 2nd half.
Although if we blame the scoreboard like the Cubs at the goat or whatever, destroying it could be fun.
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Defensively,
1) We have lightweight linebackers on the edge who get overwhelmed easily
2) Matt Bailey is not very good at taking good angles or filling gaps from a close-uo position
3) Xavier scott has lost a little bit
4) Our linebackers are kinda sorta really, really bad at tackling
Not good
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At least the Illini were only the fifth most embarrassing Big Ten team today!
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Lol buckeyes
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I'd guess 100 million talks louder.
They spent that on the damned scoreboard
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They spent that on the damned scoreboard
Philanthropist and alumnus Larry Gies has made two massive milestone donations to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign:Business School Donation: Larry and Beth Gies gave $150 million to the university's business school, which was renamed the Gies College of Business. [1] (https://impact.strategicplan.illinois.edu/college-of-business-receives-historic-150-million-naming-gift/), [2] (https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/bigten/2025/09/09/illinois-athletics-larry-gies-100-million-gift/86062410007/), [3] (https://giesbusiness.illinois.edu/about)Athletics & "Score" (Jumbotron/Stadium) Donation: Larry Gies gave $100 million to the Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. From this $100 million athletic department donation, $20.94 million went directly toward building Illinois' massive new football stadium jumbotron/scoreboard (the largest in college football). In honor of the donation, the football venue was renamed Gies Memorial Stadium. [1] (https://fightingillini.com/news/2025/9/9/football-larry-gies-makes-transformational-100-million-gift-to-illinois-athletics), [2] (https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/inside-illinois-20-9m-jumbotron-062001585.html)
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Is a golden era supposed to include home losses to a team projected to finish 10th in the ACC?
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There goes the momentum
Just wow
Another year I won't attend a game
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So they wasted the money on other stadium updates, Nichi, or spent it poorly elsewhere?
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Man, our defense fucking sucks ass
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So they wasted the money on other stadium updates, Nichi, or spent it poorly elsewhere?
The university cannot use Larry Gies' $100 million gift to buy football players because it was a donor-restricted gift specifically earmarked for infrastructure and stadium projects. When a donor makes a major philanthropic contribution to a university, legally binding terms dictate exactly how the funds must be spent.
Why the Money Went to a Scoreboard
Donor Intent & Legal Restrictions: Larry Gies explicitly designated his $100 million donation to renovate the 101-year-old Gies Memorial Stadium and honor military veterans. Part of these plans always included a massive new video board package, sound system, and lighting upgrades.
Institutional Rules: Universities cannot legally divert money given for capital improvements (like a 17,000-square-foot mega-scoreboard) to fund player rosters, as doing so would violate charitable trust laws and the donor agreement.
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Well, as the kids say, “scoreboard.”
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The university cannot use Larry Gies' $100 million gift to buy football players because it was a donor-restricted gift specifically earmarked for infrastructure and stadium projects. When a donor makes a major philanthropic contribution to a university, legally binding terms dictate exactly how the funds must be spent.
Why the Money Went to a Scoreboard
Donor Intent & Legal Restrictions: Larry Gies explicitly designated his $100 million donation to renovate the 101-year-old Gies Memorial Stadium and honor military veterans. Part of these plans always included a massive new video board package, sound system, and lighting upgrades.
Institutional Rules: Universities cannot legally divert money given for capital improvements (like a 17,000-square-foot mega-scoreboard) to fund player rosters, as doing so would violate charitable trust laws and the donor agreement.
No shit. Whose job is it to convince him that maybe the money would be better spent on players and not the stadium?
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No shit. Whose job is it to convince him that maybe the money would be better spent on players and not the stadium?
We obviously weren't privy to the discussions.
I wouldn't be surprised if Gies preferred to support a sports legacy project tied to infrastructure improvement than spending money on players. Too bad he didn't fund both options, though I don't really care much for noisy mega-scoreboards
I hope he got a nice brass recognition plaque for his donation.
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No shit. Whose job is it to convince him that maybe the money would be better spent on players and not the stadium?
You don't think facilities affect recruiting? Not much to say. We should be able to walk and chew gum. Have the stadium improvements led to more nil revenue?
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You don't think facilities affect recruiting? Not much to say. We should be able to walk and chew gum. Have the stadium improvements led to more nil revenue?
LOL C'mon man! Straight cash money affects recruiting these days.
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You don't think facilities affect recruiting? Not much to say. We should be able to walk and chew gum. Have the stadium improvements led to more nil revenue?
That scoreboard is shit. Not an improvement.
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LOL C'mon man! Straight cash money affects recruiting these days.
that why Northwestern just built a new mini NFL style stadium with jumbotron scoreboards?
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That scoreboard is shit. Not an improvement.
What's wrong with it
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that why Northwestern just built a new mini NFL style stadium with jumbotron scoreboards?
LOL. Ok Nichi, I will have what you are smoking.
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Painful L.
Does QB1 realize he can throw to other receivers and not stare down/telegraph passes to Dixon then entire second half? He looked super tentative and wasn’t planting his feet most of the second half despite the protection being decent.
Defense is hot garbage so we better fix the offense
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LOL C'mon man! Straight cash money affects recruiting these days.
D’Andre Swift overpaid!
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D’Andre Swift overpaid!
We will see in years 2 and 3 of that ridiculous deal
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LOL. Ok Nichi, I will have what you are smoking.
Why else would they build it?
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Why else would they build it?
Because their stadium was crappy and only filled with opposing fans?
Do you really think recruits at this point give a rat's ass about scoreboards or about getting paid? What are we doing here, man?
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Yes, Northwestetn football is known for its recruiting and "car wash" actuvities
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Because their stadium was crappy and only filled with opposing fans?
Do you really think recruits at this point give a rat's ass about scoreboards or about getting paid? What are we doing here, man?
Facilities don’t matter to players? What is your fixation with scoreboards?
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Facilities don’t matter to players? What is your fixation with scoreboards?
Dollar, dollar bills, y'all.
Yes, all those guys that turned Indiana around went there because they remodeled their stadium. Good grief.
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Meant to note Mendoza went there because of the facilities.....
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Why would we have lost players to the portal ? They knew we were getting the biggest scoreboard.
Makes no sense.
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Dollar, dollar bills, y'all.
Yes, all those guys that turned Indiana around went there because they remodeled their stadium. Good grief.
Indiana’s football payroll was under $15 million last year. higher end programs were spending 40 million Indiana won because they had 24-year-olds masquerading as college kids
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I don’t think Fernando Mendoza was in the top 10 among quarterbacks last year: Cade Klubnick and Sawyer Robertson were higher paid than he was.
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I don’t think Fernando Mendoza was in the top 10 among quarterbacks last year: Cade Klubnick and Sawyer Robertson were higher paid than he was.
Memdoza got paid $2.6m as a free agent. He chose Indiana over Grorgia and Miami. But he went to Indiana for the redone stadium. Klubnick was at Clemson and Roberson was at Baylor for years. All because of their facilities.
What the hell are you even talking about?
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Indiana’s football payroll was under $15 million last year. higher end programs were spending 40 million Indiana won because they had 24-year-olds masquerading as college kids
Yes, they all loved the facilities and didn't care about getting paid one iota.
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Why would we have lost players to the portal ? They knew we were getting the biggest scoreboard.
Makes no sense.
Apparently we lost then because the new scoreboard was not operating yet. Nichi and Tempo are shocked they did not transfer to Northwestern due to its new stadium.
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Believe on the broadcast the other day they said Bielema went to this new 3-3-5 because NIL limitations kept them from being able to compete for high end DL personnel but had good secondary and backers
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No one said Mendoza went to Indiana for the facilities. PAStrawman at it again.
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Yes, they all loved the facilities and didn't care about getting paid one iota.
An instant PAStrawman classic
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Believe on the broadcast the other day they said Bielema went to this new 3-3-5 because NIL limitations kept them from being able to compete for high end DL personnel but had good secondary and backers
Seems to be working so far
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Dollar, dollar bills, y'all.
Yes, all those guys that turned Indiana around went there because they remodeled their stadium. Good grief.
This seems to refute the narrative that it’s all about “dollar bills, ya’ll.”
(https://i.postimg.cc/zGJkJKqK/IMG-8400.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dLxC67kV)
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Apparently we lost then because the new scoreboard was not operating yet. Nichi and Tempo are shocked they did not transfer to Northwestern due to its new stadium.
It's a moot point because it was never either stadium improvements or NIL money..Always take pie when pie is being passed. Don't demand cake or you might walk away with an empty plate.
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Facilities don’t matter to players? What is your fixation with scoreboards?
That's right. When Neale Stoner built that baseball stadium it made no difference. They might as still be playing on a little league diamond
All those SFC renovations? Wasteful spending!
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Why would we have lost players to the portal ? They knew we were getting the biggest scoreboard.
Makes no sense.
Maybe because the defensive staff turned over?
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Believe on the broadcast the other day they said Bielema went to this new 3-3-5 because NIL limitations kept them from being able to compete for high end DL personnel but had good secondary and backers
Sounds reasonable, except for the we have good backers part. Maybe they'll look gooder as the season progresses but we already knew who we were losing to the portal before Hauck was hired.
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Maybe because the defensive staff turned over?
The staff turned over after we lost players to the portal
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Back on my point. Facilities affect the atmosphere; which affects recruiting. Otherwise, why bother wasting money on visits? Just have an auction..
It's absolutely nuts to think the prospects don't care where they will.be playing.
Upgrades to the football and basketball stadiums also affect attendance; which affect recruiting.
Fit, playing time, position, getting to the NFL are other factors for prospects in our reach
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The staff turned over after we lost players to the portal
They were probably headed for the door.
Common knowledge Henry was gone. Either demotion or elsewhere
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The weight room and locker rooms are facilities.
The largest scoreboard is a vanity project and won't be the largest scoreboard for long.
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The weight room and locker rooms are facilities.
The largest scoreboard is a vanity project and won't be the largest scoreboard for long.
So the stadiums are not facilities? Might as well play basketball at Huff. Do they look at the stadium on visits? Or just the locker and weight room?
I am.not big on jumbotrons, but the argument it took money from NIL from players is ignorant.
It was a 100k gift for stadium upgrades. Less than 30k went to the scoreboard.
More getting ahead of the curve than vanity. Whether old farts like them or not, jumbotron scoreboards are here to stay. Did you guys whine about SFC upgrades?
btw, It also already helped us win an appeal.
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No one said Mendoza went to Indiana for the facilities. PAStrawman at it again.
WTF are you talking about? Nichi claimed facilities and scoreboards matter. You stuck your nose in as welll. How about you start reading what other people actually write instead of listening to the voices in your brain?
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An instant PAStrawman classic
I know this isn't Twotter, but how about following the discussion other than whatever the voices in your head are saying?
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This seems to refute the narrative that it’s all about “dollar bills, ya’ll.”
(https://i.postimg.cc/zGJkJKqK/IMG-8400.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dLxC67kV)
LOL. It was the Indiana facilities!
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I am.not big on jumbotrons, but the argument it took money from NIL from players is ignorant.
Since it's one PAMan repeatedly makes, this checks out.
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LOL. It was the Indiana facilities!
No one said that, Mr.Straw.
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It's a moot point because it was never either stadium improvements or NIL money..Always take pie when pie is being passed. Don't demand cake or you might walk away with an empty plate.
Uh, it was definitely that we misjudged the NIL market and those guys left.
I understand that Tempo has CTE from being 80% on 50/50 balls in HS and can't follow a discussion. What's your excuse for thinking our DL left due to facilities and not Illinois misjudging the NIL market?
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Maybe because the defensive staff turned over?
LOL
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Back on my point. Facilities affect the atmosphere; which affects recruiting. Otherwise, why bother wasting money on visits? Just have an auction..
It's absolutely nuts to think the prospects don't care where they will.be playing.
Upgrades to the football and basketball stadiums also affect attendance; which affect recruiting.
Fit, playing time, position, getting to the NFL are other factors for prospects in our reach
It is an auction at this point
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WTF are you talking about? Nichi claimed facilities and scoreboards matter. You stuck your nose in as welll. How about you start reading what other people actually write instead of listening to the voices in your brain?
Program.environment does matter (but not necessarily "scoreboards"). As Nichi said, why have visits, just have auctions.
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Since it's one PAMan repeatedly makes, this checks out.
It was money that was not put towards NIL. That's a fact. I know you are allergic to facts.
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No one said that, Mr.Straw.
You are not following the fucking conversation. You may want to sit the rest of this one out and focus on Justin Fields.....
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Program.environment does matter (but not necessarily "scoreboards"). As Nichi said, why have visits, just have auctions.
What the hell do you think recruiting is at this point?
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Hate to break this to Custard, but we played a 3-3-5 last year too about 90% of the time. The difference was that Jacas, listed as a LB, lined up with his hand on the ground virtually every play to have 4 "DL". This talk about a "new defense" due to a lack of DL is excuse making because they fucked up the market. Yeah, the terminology has changed but we played a 335 last year. Of course Illini fans fall for whatever they are fed. "Facilities! New defense!" C'mon, sheeple!
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It was money that was not put towards NIL. That's a fact. I know you are allergic to facts.
So was the money they spent cleaning toilets. So fucking what,?
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Program.environment does matter (but not necessarily "scoreboards"). As Nichi said, why have visits, just have auctions.
Pmsman thinks they should move basketball back to Huff.
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It was money that was not put towards NIL. That's a fact. I know you are allergic to facts.
Great news folks, I just heard on the score that starting in 2027, all Fighting Illini football games will be played at Champaign Centennial so that all monies can be properly funneled to NIL! It’s PAMan’s dream come true! Great day for ThePAMan! #nationaltitle
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So was the money they spent cleaning toilets. So fucking what,?
Toilets are a waste of NIL money!
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So was the money they spent cleaning toilets. So fucking what,?
No, they did not spend the money on that, Nichi. Have you been to Gies Memorial Stadium this year?
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Nichi and Tempo joining forces....that's special. Special ed.....
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Nichi and Tempo joining forces....that's special. Special ed.....
Why did you waste money on food and alcohol when attending games? That money could have gone to NIL!
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Why did you waste money on food and alcohol when attending games? That money could have gone to NIL!
Ask Guenther, Jr.!
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A guy's gotta eat and wash the food down with something. Otherwise we'll be dead before AI kills us in a few years.
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Facts on the ground. Might as well get used to the scoreboard. It's not going anywhere. It will get hyped like Nick Smith's diet
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Facts on the ground. Might as well get used to the scoreboard. It's not going anywhere. It will get hyped like Nick Smith's diet
We can sell it for scrap parts and use the money to buy some DL next year.
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Hate to break this to Custard, but we played a 3-3-5 last year too about 90% of the time. The difference was that Jacas, listed as a LB, lined up with his hand on the ground virtually every play to have 4 "DL". This talk about a "new defense" due to a lack of DL is excuse making because they fucked up the market. Yeah, the terminology has changed but we played a 335 last year. Of course Illini fans fall for whatever they are fed. "Facilities! New defense!" C'mon, sheeple!
I said “this new 3-3-5 defense” because the execution and philosophies are pretty different.
We aren’t playing with the same deck as some other schools on the NIL front and we can’t compete for top players at every position. That was also true under Henry.
Sucks, but surprisingly we’ve punched above our weight more often than not regardless. Hope like hell we can find a way to get to a bowl game this year.
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Hope like hell we can find a way to get to a bowl game this year.
Said in 2026, when half the NCAA makes a bowl game. It’s a Golden Era, kids!
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Said in 2026, when half the NCAA makes a bowl game. It’s a Golden Era, kids!
This was always going to be a rebuilding year. We don’t have reloading year money. We just came off one of the best stretches of Illini football ever and lost a ton of talent and installed a new defensive scheme.
Not sure how many people here get Jeff Johnson’s newsletter but he was saying a few weeks ago that this team was going to lose some games they shouldn’t and win some games they shouldn’t. He’s usually pretty spot on.
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https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/interactive/college-football-nil-spending-budgets/?unlocked_article_code=1.BlE.1bJL.q6tmjvQfrAdf&source=emp_shared_interactive&smid=re-share-ta
Lookey here...Illinois is estimated to spend less on football than OSU, Oregon, USC, Indiana (wow), Michigan, Nebraska, Penn State, Wisconsin, UCLA, Maryland, MSU, NU (!), Washington, and Rutgers for 2026.
Nichi and Tempo, how is it that NU can walk and chew gum by building a new stadium AND spend more on football than Illinois can in 2026?
BuT ScoREBoarDS ATracT ReCruITS!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JcNVaKgkXE
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This was always going to be a rebuilding year. We don’t have reloading year money. We just came off one of the best stretches of Illini football ever and lost a ton of talent and installed a new defensive scheme.
Not sure how many people here get Jeff Johnson’s newsletter but he was saying a few weeks ago that this team was going to lose some games they shouldn’t and win some games they shouldn’t. He’s usually pretty spot on.
And why is this? Because Bielema and Guenther Jr. misread the NIL market.....And now we have a "new" defensive scheme that we used 90% of the time last year....
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I don't understand why we had defensive linemen and linebackers portal out when they knew that if they stayed they could watch themselves on replays on the largest scoreboard.
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I don't understand why we had defensive linemen and linebackers portal out when they knew that if they stayed they could watch themselves on replays on the largest scoreboard.
If only Nichi and Tempo could explain it like we were....well, Tempo.....
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I don't understand why we had defensive linemen and linebackers portal out when they knew that if they stayed they could watch themselves on replays on the largest scoreboard.
How did FB recruit a top 25;class when Whitman was spending all the NIL money on a vanity scoreboard? They must be ace recruiters.
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How did FB recruit a top 25;class when Whitman was spending all the NIL money on a vanity scoreboard? They must be ace recruiters.
Nichi, a Top 25 class does not mean shit if they all leave because they are not getting paid when it is time for them to play....
He did not spend NIL money on a vanity scoreboard. That's the problem: it was not NIL Money. Meanwhile, IU sure looks to be putting Mark Cuban's NIL money to good use.
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It's interesting that the transfers hit the defense hatd. I wonder why? Could it be partly because the offense was good and the defense sucked? Also, the uncertainty around Henry's future as DC. Had their position coach already turned over? I think Hood and Hayden were Buh recruits..
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So.now he back pedals.
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Buddha would say "Everything happens for a reason." Here is the reason:
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZvYqRqFJ/dollar-dollar-bills-yall-dollar-dollar.gif) (https://postimg.cc/ZvYqRqFJ)
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Buddha would say "Everything happens for a reason." Here is the reason:
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZvYqRqFJ/dollar-dollar-bills-yall-dollar-dollar.gif) (https://postimg.cc/ZvYqRqFJ)
. the Buddha did not say that "everything happens for a reason
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So, that's why our QB went to Tennessee.
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. the Buddha did not say that "everything happens for a reason
I think I can assist here, IlliniRay.
Everything Happens for a Reason | Buddhist Wisdom for Life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7IPmrGkqaQ
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So, that's why our QB went to Tennessee.
He turned down the extra money because he knew The Scoreboard would be built for the next season.
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He turned down the extra money because he knew The Scoreboard would be built for the next season.
Atmosphere, loyalty, facilities The scoreboard enhances, does not create. Of course you read what you want to read. Or misquote the Buddha. That is called a straw man
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Atmosphere, loyalty, facilities The scoreboard enhances, does not create. Of course you read what you want to read. Or misquote the Buddha. That is called a straw man
Looks like HAL9000 has video proof to the contrary. Buddha may call you an "empty man" on this one. Or even a "Low Thinker!"
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I think I can assist here, IlliniRay.
Everything Happens for a Reason | Buddhist Wisdom for Life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7IPmrGkqaQ
Where is the Sutta quotation? That is a sales pitch.
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The scoreboards adds to the cosmic flow
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Where is the Sutta quotation? That is a sales pitch.
IlliniRay, in a broad metaphorical sense, one can argue that religions resemble powerful “sales pitches”: they offer explanations of existence, moral frameworks, community, identity, and promises about ultimate meaning or salvation.
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Looks like HAL9000 has video proof to the contrary. Buddha may call you an "empty man" on this one. Or even a "Low Thinker!"
The Buddha actually taught Emptiness/ Śūnyatā
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The Buddha actually taught Emptiness/ Śūnyatā
Yes—but there’s an important historical distinction.
The historical Buddha (early Buddhism): The earliest Buddhist texts strongly emphasize anattā (not-self) and dependent origination. The Buddha teaches that the components of a person are not a permanent, independent self. He also uses “empty” (suñña) language, particularly in the Pāli Nikāyas, but not yet in the fully developed philosophical sense of śūnyatā found in later Mahāyāna Buddhism.
Mahāyāna Buddhism: Centuries after the Buddha, śūnyatā (“emptiness”) became a central doctrine. Texts such as the Prajñāpāramitā literature and thinkers such as Nāgārjuna developed the idea that phenomena lack inherent, independent existence.
So: Saying “the Buddha taught śūnyatā” can be correct within some Buddhist traditions, but saying “the historical Buddha taught the later Mahāyāna doctrine of śūnyatā in exactly its developed form” would be historically anachronistic.
There is actually a fascinating connection: early Buddhist “emptiness” and Mahāyāna śūnyatā aren't simply unrelated doctrines, but scholars debate exactly how the later concept developed from earlier teachings.
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IlliniRay, in a broad metaphorical sense, one can argue that religions resemble powerful “sales pitches”: they offer explanations of existence, moral frameworks, community, identity, and promises about ultimate meaning or salvation.
I don't recall reading where the Buddha supposedly said everything happens for a reason. The commentaries talk about 5 kinds of causality. The Lotus Sutta implies an underlying or inherent reason.
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If the Buddha called me an empty man, I would say thank you
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I don't recall reading where the Buddha supposedly said everything happens for a reason. The commentaries talk about 5 kinds of causality. The Lotus Sutta implies an underlying or inherent reason.
A relevant theme in early Buddhism was that memorization alone isn't the point. The teachings are meant to be practiced and understood, not merely accumulated as information.
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Yes—but there’s an important historical distinction.
The historical Buddha (early Buddhism): The earliest Buddhist texts strongly emphasize anattā (not-self) and dependent origination. The Buddha teaches that the components of a person are not a permanent, independent self. He also uses “empty” (suñña) language, particularly in the Pāli Nikāyas, but not yet in the fully developed philosophical sense of śūnyatā found in later Mahāyāna Buddhism.
Mahāyāna Buddhism: Centuries after the Buddha, śūnyatā (“emptiness”) became a central doctrine. Texts such as the Prajñāpāramitā literature and thinkers such as Nāgārjuna developed the idea that phenomena lack inherent, independent existence.
So: Saying “the Buddha taught śūnyatā” can be correct within some Buddhist traditions, but saying “the historical Buddha taught the later Mahāyāna doctrine of śūnyatā in exactly its developed form” would be historically anachronistic.
There is actually a fascinating connection: early Buddhist “emptiness” and Mahāyāna śūnyatā aren't simply unrelated doctrines, but scholars debate exactly how the later concept developed from earlier teachings.
I can tie all that together. I am rusty on the academic part.
Buddhism is about practice
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A relevant theme in early Buddhism was that memorization alone isn't the point. The teachings are meant to be practiced and understood, not merely accumulated as information.
Yes..
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BuT ScoREBoarDS ATracT ReCruITS!
Again, no one said that.
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This was always going to be a rebuilding year. We don’t have reloading year money. We just came off one of the best stretches of Illini football ever and lost a ton of talent and installed a new defensive scheme.
Not sure how many people here get Jeff Johnson’s newsletter but he was saying a few weeks ago that this team was going to lose some games they shouldn’t and win some games they shouldn’t. He’s usually pretty spot on.
Why would you have to rebuild and “hope like hell to find a way to make a bowl game (when everyone half assed respectable makes a bowl game) in the middle of a “golden era?”
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Would you believe a silver era?!
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Would you believe a silver era?!
I’ll allow it.