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- Thread starter BB73
- Start date
cjmik_75
Legend
Absolutely agree. Just having some dark specter looming over this college football season makes it difficult because it’s so uncertain...without fans tailgating or attending games...just think of the job these coaches have done so far to keep players motivated and sharp. I’m still grateful to see every snap of Buckeye football this season and yet I still feel like this uncertainty has me going through the Kubler Ross Model for depression weekly. Maybe I’m just fucked.
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bukIpower
Head Coach
Just one thing here... I obviously hope everyone is Okay but having said that.
If we can play I hope we do even if it means we play with our backups. Loss be damn...
I don't want to be capable if playing but cancel because someone important is out like Wisconsin did a few weeks ago.
If we cancel this game we have no more room for error on the season. So if we have to play with 3rd stringers you do that.
If we can play I hope we do even if it means we play with our backups. Loss be damn...
I don't want to be capable if playing but cancel because someone important is out like Wisconsin did a few weeks ago.
If we cancel this game we have no more room for error on the season. So if we have to play with 3rd stringers you do that.
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OSU 2nd and 3rd string can beat Illinois and MSU. If they beat tsun I think they’ll finally fold the tent and call it a day.
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Onebuckfan
classof76
All I hear from Illinois Coaches, Media and players “we won’t quit” just like Indiana did if we get behind and we will be in it till the end.
The implication that on film they see something, a team letting down, losing focus or worse.
The implication that on film they see something, a team letting down, losing focus or worse.
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What are they supposed to say? "Well, if we get down big, we're gonna fold up shop and ask the refs for a running clock?"
And, anyone with eyes can see the Buckeyes have not played their best football in second halves. That's no particular coaching find.
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Onebuckfan
classof76
Indiana was a 20 pt underdog and Illinois is a 28 pt underdog .,8 points. Illinois would be a 16 pt underdog to Indiana That’s the oddsmakers saying it. I’m not saying anything I’m not smart enough to figure out how tOSU gave up most of a 35 to 7 lead.
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Illinois has won its last two games after losing its first three games of the season. What’s made the biggest difference for the Illini to turn things around?
Asmussen: It's been a couple things, First, it got about a dozen players back who had to sit out because of COVID tracing. They missed the losses to Purdue and Minnesota and most of them were back for Rutgers. The most important guys out were quarterback Brandon Peters, center Doug Kramer and kicker James McCourt. But there were others. Having Kramer out meant the team had to move starting guard Kendrick Green from his best position to less comfortable center. And it had to use a former walk-on at guard. A real mess.
The second thing Illinois has done is go back to its turnover-producing ways of 2019. In the Rutgers and Nebraska games, Illinois won the turnover battle by a combined 8-1. There were a lot of short fields and Illinois took advantage.
Illinois’ rushing offense has been one of the Big Ten’s best this year, ranking second in the conference in yards per game. What’s enabled the Illini to have as much success as they have running the ball?
Asmussen: Of course, it starts up front. The team brought back four of five starters on the offensive line from 2019 and they are guys with a ton of experience. Doug Kramer is really good and Green will probably get drafted. Tackle Vederian Lowe has an NFL body. And when guys have gotten banged up, like tackle Alex Palczewski, there has been somebody ready to step in. Julian Pearl, a converted defensive lineman, has played well.
The running backs have been better than expected. Mike Epstein was coming off a torn ACL, but has looked better than ever. Western Michigan transfer Chase Brown is in his first full season in the Big Ten. Both of them hit the hole fast. Not a lot of messing around, just go forward and gain positive yards. And the quarterbacks have also helped. Isaiah Williams is a runner first. Brandon Peters is a better runner than most expect and worked hard in the offseason to get bigger and stronger. I should also note that Illinois offensive coordinator Rod Smith is dedicated to the run.
How would you assess Illinois’ defensive play this season? How equipped are the Illini to match up with Justin Fields and the Buckeyes?
Asmussen: Defense has been a struggle for Illinois at times. Up front, most of the key players from 2019 have moved on. The last couple games, the veterans have done a better job of putting pressure on the other team's quarterbacks. Jake Hansen at linebacker is the linchpin of the defense. He has played really well and has a knack for forcing turnovers. He will have a bunch of tackles Saturday.
The secondary has played OK at times, but in the losses made bad mistakes that led to big gains. There were wide-open receivers running down the field for Wisconsin, Purdue and Minnesota. Graham Mertz looked like a Heisman winner and only had one incompletion. The secondary has played better the last two games. Devon Witherspoon is probably the best guy back there.
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