Illinois 28, Ohio State 21 (final)

[daveeb]

Illinois is not what the media was making them out to be, but they aren't mediocre. They beat Wisconsin and Penn State. Two of their three losses were against Missouri and Michigan, who are in the Top 12 of the BCS Rankings. Their only bad loss so far is to Iowa, who is actually putting together a run (Iowa has won 3 of their last 4, and will probably finish winning 5 of their last 6).

Very young team. Very run based. The Juice is still learning how to throw the ball, but he can run well and he is making improvements in the passing game (To be honest, there was only one way to go: Up).

Oh yeah, Juice Williams was the #5 rated QB coming out of high school. His strengths were Arm Strength, Pocket Awareness, and Poise/Leadership. With strengths like that, you would expect him to be better at passing the ball. Just a slow learning curve for him thus far.

It seems like Zook is trying to clone the WVU program. Lots of talent in the running game and a ton of athletes. He was in the running for LaMaar Thomas for a reason.

I'm gonna go out on the limb and say that Ron Zook is the best thing that could have possibly happened to Illinois. He is bringing in a ton of athletes. He is building the team up on speed and the running game. And, slowly but surely, his QBs will develop into solid passers.

However, his team is way too young to compete with tOSU. But, give Zook credit. He is a good recruiter, and he should end up with 7-5 and 8-4 seasons, with an occasional 9-3, at Illinois. That is hard to do. He isn't a great X and O coach, but he doesn't need to be to get the satisfaction Illinois desires.

tOSU wins it 49-7. Huge day for The Todd. Illinois is giving up 242.5 yards through the air per game. They are only giving up 112.5 yards per game on the ground (22nd in the league).

But, when Todd starts airing it out to Brian Robiskie, Brian Hartline, and Ray Small, they will be forced to go into pass coverage.

Then, Beanie will eat them for massive amounts of yardage.

Screen passes to Maurice Wells and Brandon Saine will also hurt the Illini defense, as the Illini will try to rush Todd Boeckman.

Also, except Todd to run the ball a few teams up the middle when the pass rush comes in, like he did against Wisconsin.

[Bleed S & G]

i wonder what the line's going to be on this one..

[RoscoeParrish]

Originally Posted by Bleed S & G

i wonder what the line's going to be on this one..

I bet it's about 18-20, but we'll know tomorrow for sure.

[jenkinswoody]

What I see happening........The Illini are solid- one deep. When they play the teams that are talented 2 deep, they struggle. I would look for a decent game at first, but then we'll just grind them down and they'll start being helped off the field one by one with very few quality replacements. We win by 17. IMO, they are definitely a program on the rise.

[buckeyeinfla]

stop the run...pressure juice like the did donovan and run the football..osu wins going away and can start thinking about michigan midway through the 3rd quarter

[OregonBuckeye]

Originally Posted by daveeb

Oh yeah, Juice Williams was the #5 rated QB coming out of high school. His strengths were Arm Strength, Pocket Awareness, and Poise/Leadership. With strengths like that, you would expect him to be better at passing the ball. Just a slow learning curve for him thus far.

Scout.com: Isiah Williams Profile

STRENGTHS Arm Strength Pocket Awareness Poise and Leadership

No offense, I just thought it was funny you used the scout.com player profile.

[daveeb]

He was ranked #3 on Rivals. Which is, by the way, also amusing.

Illinois won't be 2 deep for a couple years. If that. They may only end up 2 deep at half the positions.

[sandgk]

Originally Posted by RoscoeParrish

I bet it's about 18-20, but we'll know tomorrow for sure.

If the Sagarin Predictor to line is any indication the following might apply.

last week - Line opened for Wisky visiting Columbus at 15.5

Sagarin predictor had 20.5

The Predictor for this game has a Difference of 14.5 + 3 points for home advantage - suggesting a point difference of 17.5.

If the spread is less than the Predictor this could lead to 12-13 point spread when the lines open.

[buckeyeinfla]

i just think illinois will be pressured into mistakes and they wont be able to stop the osu run game....

[MD Buckeye]

As long as our D stops the run (which they will), we'll be fine. Beanie is going to run wild in this one.

[CausticMick]

I think we match up better with Illinois than we did with Wisky FWIW.

[utgrad73]

Great video archive of the Illinois Games to date: Media Player

FIGHTINGILLINI.COM // THE OFFICIAL SITE OF UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS ATHLETICS

[Kraftmaid]

Does anyone "feel" a little payback being due because of coach Zook & the Florida connection? Does anyone think the team feels this way?

[Zurp]

Originally Posted by Kraftmaid

Does anyone "feel" a little payback being due because of coach Zook & the Florida connection? Does anyone think the team feels this way?

Maybe someone else feels this way. But I don't.

[Jaxbuck]

Originally Posted by Kraftmaid

Does anyone "feel" a little payback being due because of coach Zook & the Florida connection? Does anyone think the team feels this way?

No, nothing like that whatsoever for me personaly.


How about "we are two games away from a shot at redemption in the NC game and oh by the way it's the SR's last game at the Shoe." I'm thinking thats a more plausible source of motivation this week.