Illinois Fighting Illini (you'll see)

[Buckeye Nut]

I think Illinois' disastrous season scared every team away from doing this.

I agree completely. I thought Illinois was going to have a disappointing season last year mostly because I didn't think they could handle expectations and partly because of that show. The only teams that it would make sense to do this show would be an Indiana or Purdue. They're already bad and have no expectations so there's nothing to lose and everything to gain by getting exposure and possibly getting noticed by some recruits.

 

[TheIronColonel]

I dunno, if Illinois can play defense at all this year they could be halfway competitive. Of course, the same was true last year when they had a lot more talent on D, so meh...

 

[Taosman]

I look for the Illinois to be very good this year and maybe even beat us. I don't know if we can slow that offense down enough to win.
Did anyone notice that Zook is scheduling an open date before playing us ?

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

Shocking

 

[sepia5]

I look for the Illinois to be very good this year and maybe even beat us. I don't know if we can slow that offense down enough to win.
Did anyone notice that Zook is scheduling an open date before playing us ?

There's got to be sarcasm font in there somewhere. I'll keep looking for it and report back when I find it.

 

[Jaxbuck]

Only one thing to know about Illinois, someone is going to get Zooked every year. Gator can tell you the same was true when he was down here.

Just pray to the football gods we used up our turn in '07. There is nothing else you can do. When its your time to get Zooked, its just your time.

If I was going to take a guess at a possible victim I would look at PSU. They have to play at Illinois a week after the home revenge game against Iowa. Its also PSU's first road game of the year. Illinois can pass well and get after a QB.

It tough to predict a Zooking but that's a spot that jumps out at me.

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

Only one thing to know about Illinois, someone is going to get Zooked every year. Gator can tell you the same was true when he was down here.

Just pray to the football gods we used up our turn in '07. There is nothing else you can do. When its your time to get Zooked, its just your time.

If I was going to take a guess at a possible victim I would look at PSU. They have to play at Illinois a week after the home revenge game against Iowa. Its also PSU's first road game of the year. Illinois can pass well and get after a QB.

It tough to predict a Zooking but that's a spot that jumps out at me.

I endorse this post

 

[Buckeye Nut]

Only one thing to know about Illinois, someone is going to get Zooked every year. Gator can tell you the same was true when he was down here.

Just pray to the football gods we used up our turn in '07. There is nothing else you can do. When its your time to get Zooked, its just your time.

If I was going to take a guess at a possible victim I would look at PSU. They have to play at Illinois a week after the home revenge game against Iowa. Its also PSU's first road game of the year. Illinois can pass well and get after a QB.

It tough to predict a Zooking but that's a spot that jumps out at me.

I wouldn't be surprised if Juice & Co. throw for 350+ against that secondary. Illinois is due for a Zooking since they didn't Zook anybody last year.

 

[Jaxbuck]

I wouldn't be surprised if Juice & Co. throw for 350+ against that secondary. Illinois is due for a Zooking since they didn't Zook anybody last year.

They gave scUM a quasi Zooking. It wasn't technically a Zooking because scUm shouldn't have been favored over anyone but they went into the pig house and opened a can of whup ass then lost games to Wisky and Minny (the only two B10 teams scUM could beat last year).

If that's not vintage Zook I don't know what is.

 

[Buckeye Nut]

They gave scUM a quasi Zooking. It wasn't technically a Zooking because scUm shouldn't have been favored over anyone but they went into the pig house and opened a can of whup ass then lost games to Wisky and Minny (the only two B10 teams scUM could beat last year).

If that's not vintage Zook I don't know what is.

I see what you're saying, I guess I don't look at beating a three win team as getting Zooked even though at the time nobody knew they'd end up that bad. I think most knew Illinois was a better team despite the line. I think Illnois is due for a more traditional Zooking this year where they beat somebody who ends up winning or sharing the conference title.

 

[ThaKid101]

I dunno, if Illinois can play defense at all this year they could be halfway competitive. Of course, the same was true last year when they had a lot more talent on D, so meh...

Last year went bad for multiple reasons but I'm going to disagree with you with the more talent on D part. I'm not going to go into the homer rant of last year (LOL), but there's a LOT of talent on this defense. No they're not as experienced but I can honestly see this as a 2006 OSU defense situation where everybody thought they would be bad or at least take a step back (And yes I understand Illinois' defense last year wasn't nearly as good as the OSU D the year before 2006) and they come out and surprise everyone. I'm holding my true feelings back but I'm very excited to see this team to say the least.

BTW, this is no flame attempt at all (I've never flamed you guys), but thank you guys for not recruiting Justin Green at RB...WOW...

Oh and Bud Golden and Steve Hull both look like keepers for the Ohio people.

 

[OSUBuckeye4Life]

Last year went bad for multiple reasons but I'm going to disagree with you with the more talent on D part. I'm not going to go into the homer rant of last year (LOL), but there's a LOT of talent on this defense. No they're not as experienced but I can honestly see this as a 2006 OSU defense situation where everybody thought they would be bad or at least take a step back (And yes I understand Illinois' defense last year wasn't nearly as good as the OSU D the year before 2006) and they come out and surprise everyone. I'm holding my true feelings back but I'm very excited to see this team to say the least.

BTW, this is no flame attempt at all (I've never flamed you guys), but thank you guys for not recruiting Justin Green at RB...WOW...

Oh and Bud Golden and Steve Hull both look like keepers for the Ohio people.

Interior D-Line should be monsterous with Brent seemingly in the clear to not miss any games. Him and Luieget are going to be tough.

Other than that there are question marks pretty much at ever other unit.

Should be an interesting year for Illinois. If the offensive line plays well they are going to, at the very least, be in some major shoot outs.

 

[TheIronColonel]

I'll be honest, the only people I could have named from last year's Illinois defense are Vontae Davis and Martez Wilson; Davis is gone, hence my comment about 'less talent'. I'm certainly willing to believe they'll improve this year, but the point remains valid: if they can play some defense, they can be really competitive. Last year, though, it was obvious very early in the season that they were fairly porous on D.

 

[ThaKid101]

Interior D-Line should be monsterous with Brent seemingly in the clear to not miss any games. Him and Luieget are going to be tough.

Other than that there are question marks pretty much at ever other unit.

Should be an interesting year for Illinois. If the offensive line plays well they are going to, at the very least, be in some major shoot outs.

Yeah a very interesting year indeed. Every projected starter on the OL has experience, with Jeff Allen and Jon Asamoah leading the way. They also have 2 pretty good backups and are looking for a third. Graham Pocic has really transformed his body and is looking like the 4 star OL who was offered by Florida, etc. I like that the unit has experience and has potential.

As for defense, Doug Pilcher returns at DE. He's a all conference candidate. At LB, Martez has drawn praise from spring through now at middle. In the secondary, they could be underrated as they have 3 year starter Dere Hicks back, Donsay Hardeman fully cleared now, and Miami Thomas back. Travon Bellamy moved back to corner/nickel corner, and Tavon Wilson steps right in not missing a beat for Vontae. There's just a lot of potential. It will be interesting. I like the fact that Brent won't be suspended and Hardeman returns.

 

[ThaKid101]

I'll be honest, the only people I could have named from last year's Illinois defense are Vontae Davis and Martez Wilson; Davis is gone, hence my comment about 'less talent'. I'm certainly willing to believe they'll improve this year, but the point remains valid: if they can play some defense, they can be really competitive. Last year, though, it was obvious very early in the season that they were fairly porous on D.

As I said in the other post, I like that Brent and Hardeman both return and they will play early. Last year, the DL was hyped up, the LB's, etc. But D'Angelo McCray transfered, Sirod Williams got hurt for the year, Miami Thomas got hurt for the year in the 2nd game, Will Davis got hurt with a bum ankle that nagged him all year (Walking in a boot when not playing well into midseason), Brent got suspended for the 1st few games, Hardeman sat out the 1st 3 or so with injury, etc. etc. A whole lot of stuff just went bad and there wasn't too much depth behind them. I think if Brent and Hardeman were healthy and playing from the beginning it would've made a big difference from the jump. I like that now all those guys return (Except Davis and McCray of course) and guys behind them have experience, and where there isn't experience, there's a lot of athletic ability and talent. It should be very interesting. That Ohio State game is going to be crazy with Pryor as a soph. I think he's going to have a huge game against USC. He's just a gamer whose tough, not to mention his all world skills and potential. I'm just anxious for some college football.