Quote:
Originally Posted by Sportsbuck28
They did, but most of them came because they had no choice but to pass late in the game.
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Yup. The majority were Mendenhall on a couple long carries late in the game after the game was pretty much over. Unfortunate for Illinois, if Mendenhall had any doubt about leaving early, those long carries against USC interested a LOT of scouts and made him at least a mid-to-late 1st round prospect.
Losing Mendenhall is gonna make a LOT of difference for their team next year, as well will losing J.Leman and other vital members to their D. I don't mean to offend our Illinois posters on here (or to look like an arrogant Ohio State prick), but last year's Illinois team probably reached their pinacle or ceiling getting to the Rose Bowl and have no where to go but down, especially since they'll be getting everybody's best shot the next few years and are losing a lot of players responsible for getting them to where they got last year. Think Iowa.
Completely agree with LJB. I think this coming year will help open up Melvin's eyes between the 2 schools. Stay in state to play in front of 105,000+, play for the best D 2 years (and soon to be 3 years) running, be coached up by Jim Tressel and the best coordinator in the nation, win some Big Ten and national championships, and have arguably the best platform to get to the pros. That's without mentioning the depth chart looks awfully favorable for time early, with players graduating and possibly leaving early (C.Heyward).
Make Mama happy. Stay home.