I agree with tbartold, I think a 10 win season is very possible. Don't underestimate Mizzou, but I don't see why we shouldn't beat Penn State, although I'm reminded of Iowa last year. It all depends on how Juice continues (hopefully) to mature along with the rest of the group. Benn should be healthy and Dufrene is very capable in the backfield. I don't think losing Leman will hurt us too much, look for Miller to step into the defensive leader role. I'm most excited about Martez though. Just think what he will do to opposing offenses! If we want the Rose Bowl again we must beat OSU at home in my opinion. I do wish we would schedule a tougher non conference schedule. Other than Mizzou, it's pretty light.
you don't think losing Leman will hurt too much? He was the physical and emotional leader of the entire team, not just the defense. he was a factor on every play as the defense had to focus on his every play.
Why would you want a tougher non-conference schedule? the system is set up to win games and it doesnt really matter who you beat as long as you dont lose. riddle me this without looking it up, who did Illinois, USC, ASU, WVU, UGA, OU, KU, Hawaii, LSU and Ohio State beat in the non-conference last year?
The schedule is actually very tough with the mizzou game in st. louis. penn state, michigan, and wisconsin on the road. ohio state at home. those games could go either way for the Illini.
IU, Minny, Northwestern Iowa, and Western Michigan games wont be cake walks for the Illini if they dont show up to play 4 quarters let's not forget that the illini team has a long ways to go before we can call any game a cake walk
Maybe I mis-spoke on Lehman, he was an incredibly talented and important member of our defense, but I have a lot of faith in Miller. I think he can be a great leader and take over Lehman's role on the defense. And when I say a tougher non conference schedule I not only mean for us, but all teams. I think that it should be required that a team in a BCS conference should be playing teams from other BCS conferences. Last year didn't OSU play Akron, Toledo, and Youngstown State? And it should be determined on the order of finish from the previous year. So the #1 big ten should play #1 SEC and so on. I think teams should be rewarded for challenging themselves throughout the season. I know in the real world that doesn't happen but if the NCAA were to force teams to schedule accordingly we could get a better BCS title game with less of the whining from teams that think they should be there. Strength of schedule is part of the calculation, but not enough. I'm not saying our schedule is easy, but why are we playing the Louisiana Lafayettes of the world? If you're going to play smaller schools at least do it like OSU and keep them all in state. And to answer your question, I don't know who all those teams beat in the non conference, which is your point. I get it, but it's a shame that it has come to that. I hate Notre Dame but you have to respect them for the schedule they play each year.
it would be nice if there were more out of conference games that meant something. thowever with the BCS system it is killer to have a loss by your name. it will only get worse as coaches continue to master the system. he ncaa can not force any schedules since the schools are independently ran and make their own schedules.
sadly, the big name programs will start out ranked higher on name alone, so all they have to do is win to keep at the top of the ladder.
with the preseason polls favoring big names along with the BCS system, a coach of a high program school would be crazy to jeopardize a shot at the title by putting a big name team on the schedule.
in the end, i'm with you man, but without a tournament the schedule is only gonna be full of cupcakes for most of the big name programs.
Losing to Indiana at home? Very very doubtful, and that will probably be homecoming. Not saying that guarantees a win (I was there a couple years ago after we won at Mich St and then choked it to IU on homecoming the next week), but this team has too much talent and simply won't lose if Indiana doesn't have their quarterback from last year (team rules violations, academics).
I would switch our loss their for an opening loss against Mizzou. They're a tough team and I don't know if we'll be ready for a big game so early in the year. 8-4 is still a good season to back up last year.
That is a nasty Schedule even Louisiana Lafeyette is no cakewalk at any means
Missouri - L Missouri in my opinoin will be playing in the National Title next year
Eastern ILL - W
Louisiana Lafeyette - W, but this game could be a sleeper
Penn State - W
Michigan - W
Minnesota - W
Indiana - W
Wisconsin - L, but we could very well upend the badgers in Madison we seem to be a bad match up for them every year even when we are bad they seem to struggle against us.
Iowa - W, but very easly could loose this game, we do not match up with their smatch mouth style of defensive play. But we are older and a little more verteranized
Western Michigan - W
Ohio State - ? This is the game of the year in the big ten and i think it could very well be for the Championship of the conference, because i think Wisconsin even though I think they will beat us will slip up a couple of times in conference.
N'western - W
Bottom line solid senerio would be a 9 -3 6-2 finish just like last year only i wouldnt be surprised if we win the Big Ten 10 -2 7-1 record. That OSU game will be crazy intense.
Aug 30th vs. Missouri at St. Louis - L (but it'll go to the wire)
Sept 6th vs. Eastern Illinois - W
Sept. 13th vs. Louisiana-Lafeyette - W
Sept 27th at Penn State - L
Oct 4th at Michigan - W (home loss revenge against a team that lost a LOT)
Oct 11th vs. Minnesota - W
Oct 18th vs. Indiana - W (they're pretty bad right now)
Oct 25th at Wisconsin - L
Nov 1st vs. Iowa - W (they're gonna punished)
Nov 8th vs. Western Michigan at Detroit - W
Nov 15th vs. Ohio State - L (down to wire again - controversial ending)
Nov 22nd at Northwestern - W
8-4 (Outback Bowl?)
Word is from everything I've read Juice is looking better than ever and is ready to take that next step. And even though he's the same weight he's leaner and faster (more muscle).
I think 8 - 4 is right on. Missouri is not an easy win, yet a lot of Illini fans think its a W. Im not sold. Although Michigan maybe down, the "Big House" is still one of the toughest places to play in sports. There is also a visit to Happy Valley. I think 8 wins will be a fairly decent season. Especially for Illinois :}
