Why tomorrow is a must win

[CatManTrue]

If we rally and beat Illannoy, we’ll avoid the cellar by a decent margin (meaning the bottom 4 teams).

We’ll finish 4-8, 2-7 in conference: a better record than Nebraska (ignore that one game!), Indiana, and Illannoy. We beat Rutgers soundly head to head, and if they beat Maryland we can claim that we’re better than Maryland by transitive laws. So you could make the argument that we’re the 8th best team in the B1G - not what we were hoping for, but certainly not last place.

Importantly: if we win, Illannoy will be 100% eliminated from bowl contention. The odds are very remote that they’ll make it at 5-7 - but they’ll be able to practice for a bowl game under that possibility until bowl selections are announced, while our team can’t. Beat them and we remove that edge for next season.

If we lose, we’re clearly the 13th best team in the conference ahead of only the Hoosiers. Illannoy breaks our winning streak of six games and gets precious extra practices to keep improving under Bert. And we send off our seniors on a losing note.

So just win, baby! Beat the Whining Illini! Go Cats! Go Cats!! GO CATS!!!

 

[Hungry Jack]

We’ve got much bigger issues than Bert’s Bees winning another week of practice. That said, this our bowl game, and it’s time to flush the Illini down the toilet.

 

[CatManTrue]

We’ve got much bigger issues than Bert’s Bees winning another week of practice. That said, this our bowl game, and it’s time to flush the Illini down the toilet.

It’s not another week of practices. Last I heard it was 3-4 weeks.

Despite our dislike for him, Bert is a good football coach and has a good staff. I really wish we would have hired his defensive coordinator instead of JON. We can’t afford to give our in-state rival another month of bowl practice after a positive season (for them).

Win, and we’ll remove that possibility. Lose, and it increases the likelihood that they’ll beat us again in 2022.

 

[SmellyCat]

Your reasons for winning are important. Also: The Hat.

That said, I've been eyeing this one for a year - if NU wins, they even the all-time W-L record against the Illini. Considering how bad NU was for so long, getting to .500 against our (sigh) biggest rival would be a big deal.

 

[stpaulcat]

If we do not win, what? If we do win, will that only prolong change to what is seemingly a stagnant program?

 

[nickcat4]

Agree a win would only prolong the misery. A loss would possibly lead to some changes although not certain

 

[SmellyCat]

McCall still lost his job after NU beat Illinois two years ago so it’s possible it could happen to someone else in2021.

 

[TheC]

If we do not win, what? If we do win, will that only prolong change to what is seemingly a stagnant program?

Don’t worry. We’re going to lose by 20+.

 

[stpaulcat]

Don’t worry. We’re going to lose by 20+.

Well, aren't you Mr. Sunshine?

 

[mountaindrew]

Well, aren't you Mr. Sunshine?

Sorry, St Paul, but I agree with TheC.... whether he was serious or not. We have been playing better on the front 7, but I won't be surprised if Bert's OL runs all over us and controls the game.

 

[Bweiny]

We’ll finish 4-8, 2-7 in conference: a better record than Nebraska (ignore that one game!), Indiana, and Illannoy.

Illinois already has 3 Big Ten wins, including 2 over West teams that blew us out. We're finishing behind them and the RU-MD winner no matter what, but 11th is better than 13th, and a win would triple the number of teams behind NU. I don't know how 5 win teams are able to practice for 2-3 weeks after it's verified their seasons are over as bowls will be fully set 8-9 days after today's game.

Fitz is coaching for in-state recruiting and pride. We need the upset to prove Bielema is not officially the new sheriff in town. They've won 3 games in the style Fitz strives for, only the H2H can blunt the momentum somewhat. It looks bleak, but the 2022 season starts today, not in Dublin.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Illinois already has 3 Big Ten wins, including 2 over West teams that blew us out. We're finishing behind them and the RU-MD winner no matter what, but 11th is better than 13th, and a win would triple the number of teams behind NU. I don't know how 5 win teams are able to practice for 2-3 weeks after it's verified their seasons are over as bowls will be fully set 8-9 days after today's game.

Fitz is coaching for in-state recruiting and pride. We need the upset to prove Bielema is not officially the new sheriff in town. They've won 3 games in the style Fitz strives for, only the H2H can blunt the momentum somewhat. It looks bleak, but the 2022 season starts today, not in Dublin.

Bert gets to be the new sheriff with one win over Fitz? Hilarious.

Win or lose we stinks, but let’s not get over our ski’s with the Bert love if they come out on top.

 

[Rodenthater]

WE HAVE NO OFFENSE, therefore it will be hard to win the “Nobody Cares” rivalry game!

 

[Bweiny]

Win or lose we stinks, but let’s not get over our ski’s with the Bert love if they come out on top.

He took a team to 3 straight Rose Bowls, even removing the 3rd because of the clear technicality, 2 deserves respect. He won 11+ games 3 times, including 12-1 his first year as a preseason unranked team. If NU fans want to blind themselves to the new reality of Illinois being competitive again with the most accomplished head coach in the division, I don't know what good it does us. Bielema isn't Zook. Fitz does a lot of things that irritate me, but his humility towards competitors isn't one of them. Bielema isn't liable for the prior Illini failures. If it's 4-5 with the H2H vs 1-8 in year 1, Fitz has a major growing problem on his hands.

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

It’s not another week of practices. Last I heard it was 3-4 weeks.

Despite our dislike for him, Bert is a good football coach and has a good staff. I really wish we would have hired his defensive coordinator instead of JON. We can’t afford to give our in-state rival another month of bowl practice after a positive season (for them).

Win, and we’ll remove that possibility. Lose, and it increases the likelihood that they’ll beat us again in 2022.

I think he means they get a week of practice, then get eliminated from bowl contention, then stop.

Most important is tying the all time series. And, of course, HAT

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

He took a team to 3 straight Rose Bowls, even removing the 3rd because of the clear technicality, 2 deserves respect. He won 11+ games 3 times, including 12-1 his first year as a preseason unranked team. If NU fans want to blind themselves to the new reality of Illinois being competitive again with the most accomplished head coach in the division, I don't know what good it does us. Bielema isn't Zook. Fitz does a lot of things that irritate me, but his humility towards competitors isn't one of them. Bielema isn't liable for the prior Illini failures. If it's 4-5 with the H2H vs 1-8 in year 1, Fitz has a major growing problem on his hands.

Put the pipe down. Rode Alvarez to the titles. Has sucked ever since. Beating NU today doesn’t make him Saban.

 

[EvanstonCat]

Put the pipe down. Rode Alvarez to the titles. Has sucked ever since. Beating NU today doesn’t make him Saban.

You sound like one of the people who was trashing Mel Tucker before the season started.

Sadly, Bielema is doing better with his team than Fitz is with ours. I don’t think we are in position to be looking down on anyone. Hopefully, I can retract that after today, but I doubt it.

 

[stpaulcat]

Regardless, excited for the game in an hour and the possibility that one way or another, this weekend will prove auspicious for the future of NU football.

 

[Bweiny]

Sadly, Bielema is doing better with his team than Fitz is with ours. I don’t think we are in position to be looking down on anyone.

Exactly. I don't know what the point of diminishing our opponents does, it's classier and reflects better on NU win or lose. We aren't good enough to back up any level of snide. I just listed factual achievements. I'll clarify that calling him the "most accomplished" West coach is fair for debate with Ferentz and Chryst, but I value the B1G Championships, so I give it to Bielema. Chryst didn't build the program either. Ferentz has had more time and only gets to 2 B1G titles if you give him a full share for '02 and half shares for '04+15 when he lost H2H or in CCG each time. If you think Fitz building NU for the '15-20 run after a taste in '12 is more of an accomplishment, we just fundamentally disagree.

 

[NUCat320]

@CatManTrue I am shocked by what Maryland is doing to Rutgers.

 

[stpaulcat]

@CatManTrue I am shocked by what Maryland is doing to Rutgers.

So, CatManTrue, it must be a transitory loss to Maryland.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Exactly. I don't know what the point of diminishing our opponents does, it's classier and reflects better on NU win or lose. We aren't good enough to back up any level of snide. I just listed factual achievements. I'll clarify that calling him the "most accomplished" West coach is fair for debate with Ferentz and Chryst, but I value the B1G Championships, so I give it to Bielema. Chryst didn't build the program either. Ferentz has had more time and only gets to 2 B1G titles if you give him a full share for '02 and half shares for '04+15 when he lost H2H or in CCG each time. If you think Fitz building NU for the '15-20 run after a taste in '12 is more of an accomplishment, we just fundamentally disagree.

Great than go be an Illinois fan,

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

You sound like one of the people who was trashing Mel Tucker before the season started.

Sadly, Bielema is doing better with his team than Fitz is with ours. I don’t think we are in position to be looking down on anyone. Hopefully, I can retract that after today, but I doubt it.

You sound like one of those people that evaluate performance after one game, one month or one year.

This game doesn’t mean a whole lot in the grand scheme of things . Win or lose. 2 bad teams, one is worse than the other. NU is probably worse, **** happens. Come talk to me after 4 year he’s been at the helm.

 

[Bweiny]

Great than go be an Illinois fan,

Or just acknowledge objective reality. Tucker isn't good because he hasn't done it long enough, Bielema isn't a good coach because he followed Alvarez. Tough to please.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Or just acknowledge objective reality. Tucker isn't good because he hasn't done it long enough, Bielema isn't a good coach because he followed Alvarez. Tough to please.

I wasn’t talking about Tucker. I was responding to the Bert accolades. I don’t think he is anything special. Better than Lovie or Beckman, of course. If he wins the conference at any point or even contends, I will apologize and admit the error of my ways. Beating the worse NU team of the last decade didn’t move the needle.

 

[Turk_rivals223269]

Put the pipe down. Rode Alvarez to the titles. Has sucked ever since. Beating NU today doesn’t make him Saban.

Once again, you dont know what you are talking about. BB has done an interesting job at illinois. And did great at Wisconsin. I think this game matters bigtime. If we beat Illini it is very important for recruiting and if illini wins then it does signify, as the poster said, that there is a new sheriff in town.
Purple pile -1
Bweiny +1

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Once again, you dont know what you are talking about. BB has done an interesting job at illinois. And did great at Wisconsin. I think this game matters bigtime. If we beat Illini it is very important for recruiting and if illini wins then it does signify, as the poster said, that there is a new sheriff in town.
Purple pile -1
Bweiny +1

No use in reasoning with you. Don’t take the incompetence on the NU side as a endorsement of BB. Joliet Catholic can give this team a game, but go ahead and shrine BB because he can throttle the cats.

 

[Bweiny]

Beating the worse NU team of the last decade didn’t move the needle.

I never intended to suggest it would, he's proven himself to be an improvement for Illinois with the road wins behind good defense and by being competitive in every game but Wisconsin.

Saying that beating this NU team doesn't prove anything from Bielema is a strawman. Nobody is saying it's impressive. Only a bad loss could change the Illinois season today.

 

[SLUCATS210]

Fitz hates winning these days, didn’t you hear?

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

I never intended to suggest it would, he's proven himself to be an improvement for Illinois with the road wins behind good defense and by being competitive in every game but Wisconsin.

Saying that beating this NU team doesn't prove anything from Bielema is a strawman. Nobody is saying it's impressive. Only a bad loss could change the Illinois season today.

Great, he is better than what could have been one of the worse staffs ever assembled.

 

[Bweiny]

Great, he is better than what could have been one of the worse staffs ever assembled.

Based on his career, it's more accurate to say he is better than almost every current B1G West staff. I don't know why you're so reluctant to give credit where it's due. When Fitz wins, I see plenty of credit given.

The Jim O'Neil era might be the start of Fitz's challenge to your description of Lovie.

 

[peatymeanis]

Bert looking pretty good today

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Based on his career, it's more accurate to say he is better than almost every current B1G West staff. I don't know why you're so reluctant to give credit where it's due. When Fitz wins, I see plenty of credit given.

The Jim O'Neil era might be the start of Fitz's challenge to your description of Lovie.

As I said, I don’t think Bert is the Savior. In fact, there is not a HC in the West other than Frost that I think is not as good as he is crown him if you want. You can disagree, that’s fine.

if Fitz doesn’t make changes that include O’Neil, I will come around to BB being better than 2 Coaches

 

[Bweiny]

As I said, I don’t think Bert is the Savior. In fact, there is not a HC in the West other than Frost that I think is not as good as he is crown him if you want. You can disagree, that’s fine.

if Fitz doesn’t make changes that include O’Neil, I will come around to BB being better than 2 Coaches

What have Fleck and Brohm done to be considered better than a coach who has won as much as Bielema? This is some personal grudge and can't possibly come from the actual results on the field.

 

[Fighter of the Nightman]

No use in reasoning with you. Don’t take the incompetence on the NU side as a endorsement of BB. Joliet Catholic can give this team a game, but go ahead and shrine BB because he can throttle the cats.

He isn’t “shrining him.” He’s saying he’s a decent coach and it’s possible or even likely that the Illini will be fairly competitive in the near future (i.e., not a perennial cellar dweller in the West like under Beckman and Lovie). That’s not really that controversial of an opinion, and your near-emotional dismissal of it as impossible looks ridiculous.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

He isn’t “shrining him.” He’s saying he’s a decent coach and it’s possible or even likely that the Illini will be fairly competitive in the near future (i.e., not a perennial cellar dweller in the West like under Beckman and Lovie). That’s not really that controversial of an opinion, and your near-emotional dismissal of it as impossible looks ridiculous.

C’mon, MR Illini. You watch the games, did Bert cost you a game or two or is that my imagination. Being better than what might be the two worse coaches in the West over the past decade is not a high bar. Like I said come back in 4 years and give me an honest evaluation. Maybe he turns the Illini into contenders, we’ll see.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Wh

What have Fleck and Brohm done to be considered better than a coach who has won as much as Bielema? This is some personal grudge and can't possibly come from the actual results on the field.

Brohm has 3 top ten wins since he has been at Purdue. Fleck as much as I dislike him, has had winning records except last year.

Are you an Illini fan? Sorry, you are correct that I dislike The Illini. Any self respecting NU fan ( at least that grew up in Illinois) doesn’t care for them. Crown him if you must, but post it on the Illini board or I will use my right to challenge it at every occasion. I repeat, you are going back to his Wisky days when he basically inherited an up an running program. What do the Arkansas fans think of Bert? The Illini fans were not so understanding until they upset PSU. Come back in 4 years and we’ll see who is closer to correct.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Wh

Brohm has 3 top ten wins since he has been at Purdue. Fleck as much as I dislike him, has had winning records except last year.

Are you an Illini fan? Sorry, you are correct that I dislike The Illini. Any self respecting NU fan ( at least that grew up in Illinois) doesn’t care for them. Crown him if you must, but post it on the Illini board or I will use my right to challenge it at every occasion. I repeat, you are going back to his Wisky days when he basically inherited an up an running program. What do the Arkansas fans think of Bert? The Illini fans were not so understanding until they upset PSU. Come back in 4 years and we’ll see who is closer to correct.

 

[Styre]

Bielema went to those three straight Rose Bowls in his 5th, 6th, and 7th years at Wisconsin. I can't imagine there were still a lot of Alvarez-recruited players on those rosters.

 

[Bweiny]

Brohm has 3 top ten wins since he has been at Purdue. Fleck as much as I dislike him, has had winning records except last year.

Are you an Illini fan? Sorry, you are correct that I dislike The Illini. Any self respecting NU fan ( at least that grew up in Illinois) doesn’t care for them. Crown him if you must, but post it on the Illini board or I will use my right to challenge it at every occasion. I repeat, you are going back to his Wisky days when he basically inherited an up an running program. What do the Arkansas fans think of Bert?

Fleck went 2-7 his first year (3-6 in his 2nd but swept the other 4), he hasn't had just one losing season. Weird how you inflate the resume for a coach you dislike. I'll take winning seasons over mediocrity sprinkled with some upsets.

Nobody is expecting you to stop disliking Illinois. Admitting teams are good has absolutely no impact on my ability to dislike them, in fact it's easier to hate them when they're good. If you ask Arkansas fans, they'll tell you he was a hell of a lot better than his replacement.