So how do we match up with Illinois? (And, yes, I know we don't know who might be sitting out.)
- Thread starter PaleoorthoCock
- Start date
The Fighting Illini, right?
Orange is one of their main colors so I automatically dislike them!
Can we decline the invite and invite LSU back to Columbia?
Used to be an Indian (feather), but they went all woke & I'm not sure what an "Illini" is now.
Power running game. They run outside zone a lot. If we have a lot of front 7 opt outs, we'll have to score 45 to win.
The Fighting Illini was a tribute to the soldiers from Illinois who died during World War 1.
I know the 's' at the end of the school and state names are silent.
And I grabbed this from an Illinois site. They are on a high because this is a significant season for them.
They want this like we always wanted bowls (and wins) in our semi-recent past.
Let them meet our QB and defense and go from there. I'm looking forward to it.
Why it matters: This is the Illini's most prestigious bowl appearance since Illini played in the Rose Bowl during the 2007-08 season. With four Big Ten teams in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff — Oregon, Penn State, Ohio State and Indiana — the Illini were the clear choice as the Big Ten's representative in the Citrus Bowl as the only other Big Ten team with 9+ wins.
And I grabbed this from an Illinois site. They are on a high because this is a significant season for them.
They want this like we always wanted bowls (and wins) in our semi-recent past.
Let them meet our QB and defense and go from there. I'm looking forward to it.
Why it matters: This is the Illini's most prestigious bowl appearance since Illini played in the Rose Bowl during the 2007-08 season. With four Big Ten teams in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff — Oregon, Penn State, Ohio State and Indiana — the Illini were the clear choice as the Big Ten's representative in the Citrus Bowl as the only other Big Ten team with 9+ wins.
- Bret Bielema is the first Illinois coach to have two 8+ win season in his first four seasons since Mackovic (1988-91). He is the first Illinois coach to make two bowl games in his first four seasons since Lou Tepper (1992-96).
Beamer said he has impressed upon the team the great importance of getting the 10th win.
Glad he's not taking the pussified approach. He knows the historical significance of getting that 10th win. Yes, it's a major accomplishment for the program, but it's a major accomplishment for the coach.
How dadgum selfish of players to opt out of a bowl when it can mean so much to the coach on a personal and professional level. Coaches are judged solely on wins and losses. I've got no use for any dirt bag player who comes in, takes all the benefits from the program, then spits in the face of the coach who gave him those opportunities, with no care or concern for the personal or professional welfare of the coach.
Glad he's not taking the pussified approach. He knows the historical significance of getting that 10th win. Yes, it's a major accomplishment for the program, but it's a major accomplishment for the coach.
How dadgum selfish of players to opt out of a bowl when it can mean so much to the coach on a personal and professional level. Coaches are judged solely on wins and losses. I've got no use for any dirt bag player who comes in, takes all the benefits from the program, then spits in the face of the coach who gave him those opportunities, with no care or concern for the personal or professional welfare of the coach.
I don't even like to think about it. It will be like playing the old-time Wisconsin teams or maybe Dooley's Georgia teams. Lots of emphasis on power.
This will be the ''ultimate test'' of the ''culture'' Beamer has built.
Decent team, played a top 50-60 schedule. They beat Nebraska, Kansas, and Michigan earlier in the season when all three of those were ranked.
They will be easy to underestimate. They will be the underdog, and have less pressure on them. They should be able to play loose and aggressive.
That said, we should be a touchdown favorite, at least. I expect there will be some butt-pucker moments, maybe even a whole quarter, but we should take care of business. I think we win by two scores.
Sadly, there's not much upside for us. Getting to 10 wins would be good.
They will be easy to underestimate. They will be the underdog, and have less pressure on them. They should be able to play loose and aggressive.
That said, we should be a touchdown favorite, at least. I expect there will be some butt-pucker moments, maybe even a whole quarter, but we should take care of business. I think we win by two scores.
Sadly, there's not much upside for us. Getting to 10 wins would be good.
Beating a top-20 ranked, 9-3 team in the most prestigious non-"playoff" bowl is an awful lot of upside.
With the playoff bowls I don't think any of the consolation bowls could be called prestigious. We get to 10 wins, that's it. We won't move up in the rankings. We won't be seen as any better than we already are. Recruits won't be that impressed. And if we lose, it justifies all the negative voices.
Hope that we blow out Illinois, at least that way we will end with an emotional, rising contender attitude.
Your negativity is strong. Also, I said "most prestigious." That's a big difference in just saying "prestigious." There would also be ample opportunity to move up in rankings & sniff the final top 10. Whip Illinois & a few of the teams ahead of us lose, then wa la! Never know about recruits, too. Citrus Bowl airs at the same time as the Texas Bowl (LSU vs. Baylor) & the 2nd half of the Sun Bowl (Louisville vs. Washington). There'll be plenty of eyes on the game.
"Recruits won't be that impressed"? If we go and beat a good Illinois team in the Citrus Bowl and they're sitting at home watching it and hearing the announcers talk about our amazing season and our amazing qb and our SEC COY and our bright future? Lot of good press, yes, IF we win. And very good press if we win handily.
I hope you're right! You really think they will move us ahead of teams they picked for the playoff? I bet they don't. Maybe the AP voters will give us some love. I think we're maxed out at #13.
Again, hope for a blowout, and we'll look good.