Illinois started slow against EIU yesterday, but picked it up on defense of all things in the second half to put them away. The running game was spectacular, but then again, this was Eastern's D-Line, not Michigan's.

The thing that peaked my curiosity was the freshman QB, Isiah "Juice" Williams. He's really raw, but the kid's got a cannon. Brasic was pulled in the first quarter (he was struggling to throw downfield) and Williams got into the game. He has no aim, but at one point he scrambled backwards, turned, and fired the ball from the 35, over the end zone, and nearly hit a drum major behind the end zone. eek! That's pretty impressive for a freshman.

[ September 03, 2006, 01:43 PM: Message edited by: Illini_fan ]

Nice to see the Big 11 unbeaten against their "top ranked" 1st week opponents. It would be nice to see them schedule fewer of these games, and more against the Pac 10, SEC and ACC...

The PSU running game--or should I say LACK of a running game--really concerns me. Penn State will have big problems if they can't run-block... Notre Dame didn't impress at all against Georgis Tech, but their defense will be less generous to the Lion's passing game. Morelli will struggle unless there is vast improvement in the running game...

It is a concern. On the other hand, I don't think Notre Dame (or anyone else) is going to stack 8 men in the box like Akron did. What's odd is the o-line couldn't block to get a running game going, yet protected Morelli and he wasn't sacked once, and only had a couple of rushed passes. So, while there are problems to be sure, I'm thinking it more had to do with their defensive alignments that other people don't use.

Notre Dame didn't impress me at all. I've got to think our defense is a lot better than Georgia Tech's. However, GT does stunt a lot, and that really threw ND off their game. I don't expect the ND offense to be that bad every game.

ND defense looked much better than last year... on the other hand, it was against GT, who only averaged about 18 ppg last year. Gailey gave over play calling duties to his offensive coordinator this year, but who knows if that will make a difference. I'd say their defense is improved, but still suspect.

It's at South Bend, they (ND) probably are feeling a bit embarrassed at their performance. Weis should be on their asses in practice this week. We have a lot of talented, but inexperienced players. I like our chances, I have a good feeling about the game, though I'm not ready to predict an out and out win--still too many questions that need answered. I feel much better about this game than I did before this weekend, however.

The worst thing that could have happened was a ND loss. That would have really put them on a mission this week. So we dodged that. I would have preferred they score a few more points so that perhaps they had a false sense of how good they are going into our game. This outing could still put them on a mission, or it could shake their confidence a little and make them doubt themselves. Let's hope it's the latter.

Yeah, Penn State, I just don't get that whole blocking deal...Pass blocking was beautiful and run blocking was the worst I have ever seen on a Paterno-coached team. I mean, there's no doubt that Akron's defensive schme was to stop the run, and to focus on Tony Hunt. I guess it failed because it allowed Penn State's passing game to open up so much. I just don't like that,as the game progressed, Penn State wasn't able to adjust against a team like Akron. It'll be interesting to see what the approach will be against Notre Dame, who has a much more talented secondary. Penn State has got to be able to run the ball, don't they?

[ September 05, 2006, 04:16 AM: Message edited by: buccoman ]

*buries face in hands* Not again. frown

LOL...I've been thinking about you through the entire first quarter. I'm sorry tiger. frown

I can't honestly say I've seen a team that looks this inept in EVERY phase of the game in a long, long time. Did ya see that last punt? They can't even kick the ball. The can't stop anybody, they can't move the ball without committing a penalty of some sort, and they're sure not playing any defense. The Big 10's gotta be licking their chops over this group.

This is just as embarassing as the PSU game last year. At least it isn't homecoming this time.

Look on the bright side, you gotta love Illinois colors & uniforms!

You're so gay wink

Duh!

No it's not, we scored almost twice as many points as Rutgers did. :cool: Don't feel bad, we're laying an egg against Notre Dame and stinking up the joint...

Yeah, but Rutgers isn't exactly PSU last year. Not to mention we had the lead in that game...for a few minutes anyway...

Haven't you been listening to GymMountainEER? Every team in the Big East is going to play for the National Championship this year! No shame in the loss!

Hmmm...I wonder how many eye rolling smilies I'm going to be putting up before the end of basketball season in response to his posts.

Over/Under: 200

Edit: A fake punt up 24 in the third quarter? WTF Notre Dame? I always knew my dislike of them was justified.

[ September 09, 2006, 03:03 PM: Message edited by: Illini_fan ]

This is out and out embarrassing. Is it just me, or does it seem like this game won't end?

wtf???

Clark (our backup qb) is pretty impressive.

Yes! It's a PSU tradition, calling for the backup QB!

lol

I just want to know where our defense was.

Apparently they were still playing Akron.

Well, after an undefeated first week, the second is not looking as well for the Large Eleven:

As of now, we have....

-PSU getting crushed by ND (shhhh, if you listen close you can hear all those fairweather ND fans jumping back on the bandwagon)

-Illinois stomped by Rutgers; NW beaten down at home by IAA New Hampshire (yes, they are #2, but still IAA)

-Purdue taken to overtime at home by Miami...of Ohio

-IU already down by two TDs in the first quarter against BallU

-Iowa playing in OT against Syracuse, although this one may be close due to the nausea caused by the Syracuse uniforms...however, I have never understood why Iowa gets the kudos they do, they are always OK but not that great

-Mich, MSU and Wisc did well against less than stellar competition

yet to come, Minny against Cal in the battle of the Golden Critters; and the marquee match up of #1 vs. #2...which should be a good one these but very well could be two more L's for the conference.

To sum it all up...Yikes!

[ September 09, 2006, 04:13 PM: Message edited by: Purdue Fan ]

Looks like Iowa might pull it out in the second overtime. 3rd and long for the 'Cuse down a touchdown.

Edit: Of course, I hit reply and a pass goes 16 yards for a first down.

[ September 09, 2006, 04:14 PM: Message edited by: Illini_fan ]

Syracuse had EIGHT shots at the Iowa goal from within the 5.

*buzzer*

Iowa survives

sigh.....the Dome is still a tough place to play. Even as inept as the Orange are.....

Iowa gave them all the opportunities to win in regulation and 'Cuse couldn't pull it out

Minnesota faces a scheduling dilemma with the Twins' good chances of making the MLB playoffs. They they win the wild card, the Goofs' 10/7 game vs. Penn State would have to be rescheduled -- to either Thursday 10/5 or all the way to the end of the season on 11/25.

Supposedly neither team is happy about the Thursday possibility -- and Paterno is adamently against it.

And not that Michigan or Wisconsin has a say, but they certainly don't like the 11/25 option, since that would give PSU and Goofs a bye week before meeting the Wolverines and the Badgers.

Best bet -- a tentative move to 11/25, then if there is no 10/7 Twins game, move it back to that date.

Here's the local, Aztec angle, on this weekend's game between SDSU and 'sconsin: Some smell an upset!

thanks for the link gmg. There is some fear that UW took a step back last week (way too many errors) and that some of the matchups aren't good on Sat. -- mobile athletic Aztec QB Mougey (I'll post a pic of the stud over on Hot Jock forum) -- the type that always gives UW fits. And our WRs have not yet entered the picture -- and SDS has some good CBs. But like the article stated, if the Badger running game rolls UW should win.

Well, I finally witnessed an Illinois loss, I guess it was just a matter of time. I'm now 4-1 in the Illinois stands. At least I got to see "Juice" Williams throw two touchdown passes of over 60 yards in the 31-21 loss that wasn't as close as the score indicates.

Yeah....it's going to be another long season.

9:51 into the 2nd

PSU 3 YSU 0

We finally score....a field goal! Against a IAA team!

Wtf?

Joe doesn't want to open up the playbook and show our hand for the OSU game next week. Unfortunately we did that against Notre Dame as well. :mad:

They got it rolling, we cruised to a 37-3 victory, racked up lots of yards, and missed 3 field goals. I'm more concerned about that.

Meat-chicken is making Notre Dame look bad. Apparently they (ND) only show up every other week. I guess we got them on the wrong week.

[ September 16, 2006, 04:04 PM: Message edited by: Penn State ]

Brasic doesn't seem to have the command of the offense. If I'm Zookie, today I'd start considering letting the Juice loose.

At least we didn't have any turnovers (from our starting team)

To get back on the map, we need to make a strong showing against and/or beat OSU. We can do it, its just a matter of cleaning up the remaining mistakes that were still made this week.

We also need to beat Michigan, which I still think we will do

Here's Brady Quinn's ass. Here's Chad Henne's hand. Here is Chad handing Brady his own ass.

I agree with Notre Dame looking terrible today but I'm not sure how much is Michigan and how much is Quinn choking. All I can say is that if this keeps up, this year's Mich-OSU game is going to be one for the ages.

I'd rather see Chad do something else to Brady's ass, but that's a different thread.
Yeah, but it won't mean anything as we're going to beat both of them and go to the Rose Bowl... LOL

Notre Dame choked?

C'mon guys you always go Big Ten no matter what.
Even though the clear facts of the case
are that Michigan hit harder, ran faster,
and had a stronger will to win than Brady
Quinn and the Fighting Irish. I don't think
they've played this well collectively on
defense and offense since beating PSU in
Ann Arbor in '97. You can't script heart
people. It's great to be a Michigan Wolverine!

Notre Dame choked this week on a bigger level that we did last week.

C'mon, 2 fumbles, 3 interceptions, and 4 net rush yards, and you are trying to tell me they didn't choke?

At least we had yards last week.

In any cases, this is one of those rare instances where I can say I <3 Michigan.

Thank you for the Big Ten payback.

Thank you Michigan, now maybe the media will realize there are about 100 other teams playing football this year....

- Illinois and Indiana continue their race towards the bottom. With Northwestern looking like they want to crash that party this year.

- Purdue D looking better this week, O is looking pretty good. Special teams much better. We still will have to score on nearly every possession in order to beat anybody.

- MSU got a nice win today. We will find out more next week if they are a sleeper pick this year or not.

-Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa-with-Tate...not impressed.

-PSU seemed to shake off last weeks embarassment, still going to have to get their s--- together if they don't want to be in that same situation next week going into Columbus. Ohio St started slow this week too, but at least it was a I-A opponent.

No late games this week. Conference play begins next week so we can finally really see what these teams are made of. Unfortunately, I don't foresee anyone going undefeated, which will likely mean no National Championship game for a Big Ten team this year.

Nice win for the Spartans today. Let's see if they can keep their winning ways against Notre Dame next week. Frankly would have rather had them after a win, but....

Nah, just wait til Meee-chokin loses some conference game they have no right losing. Besides this rivalry recently has always seen the higher ranked team lose.

At least he's fun to watch, even if we're getting destroyed.

And that's why Zook should do it. Let him get some chops in this year. If he can just as much as keep the Illini competitive in games this year, it would be a big springboard for him next year. If he's just as bad starting as Brasic, then go back.

I watched the entire Iowa vs. Iowa State game. I thought both teams looked pretty good, very solid, both with great quarterbacks.

Care to bet on the October 7th game Purdue Fan??

wink wink

After the utter ineptitude that Illinois showed last week against Rutgers, I simply can't justify picking them to beat anybody this season. I just didn't see Syracuse, bad as they are, having any trouble with them.

I do think Iowa has a pretty good team, just not sure they are top 20 material though, and year after year they never seem to justify their ranking.

The Badgers offense has yet to find its groove, although the RB situation seems fine. The problem is no WR has yet to step up and the new TEs are still adjusting to switching over from playing last season defense.

However the D looked pretty good -- held SDS to 13 yds rushing, only 2 for 16 on third downs and they actually started to tackle ...

So now it's time for Michigan

This was on one of the Badger boards. It was even funnier before Michigan's thrashing of Notre Dame. Still a good read. Sing along to the Bud Lite song.

Bud Light presents: Real Men of Genius
(Reaaaaal Men Of Genius)

Today we salute you, Mr. Delusional Michigan Fan (Mr. Delusional Michigan Faaaaaan!)

Season after season, year after year, you try to justify your absurdly high preseason ranking (clutching at straws!)

Season after season, year after year, you scramble to make futile attempts at damage control when the Wolverines lose to a grossly inferior opponent (How'd Northwestern score
fifty fouuuuuur?)

Inevitably, you'll bring up the past, and boast of National Championships won 40 years before you born (those were the daaaaaays!)

You will point out that you have more wins than any other program as though that is relevant to the current season (been playing since the 1870s!)

Go on, ignore that home loss to your arch rivals in the regular season finale and continue to believe that you'll defeat your bowl opponent with striking ease. (we'll win by thirteeeeeeey!)

So crack open an ice cold Bud Light, oh Emperor of Excuses, and take comfort knowing that when you finish ranked number twenty, you'll be back to number three when the preseason polls come out next year

Here's to you Mr. Delusional Michigan Fan. (Mr. Delusional Michigan Fan!)"

[ September 18, 2006, 06:52 AM: Message edited by: DCBucky ]

Visiting from Pac-10 (the controversial Ducks)...

What's the feeling this season? OSU? Mee...? Iowa? Wisconsin as a dark horse?

Hey Illini...I've been there...

Winning is great, but hotness/cuteness if better...

A Penn State upset over a cocky Buckeye team tomorrow?