Illinois -2.5
- Thread starter TheHandOfChaos
- Start date
We'll win this game if we play TO and stick to the run game.
Lovie Smith vs Chris Ash
If Illinois loses do their fans call for Lovie's head?
If Illinois loses do their fans call for Lovie's head?
You mean it's not the 14-20 points some posters here were swearing it would be?
Illinois played the good teams on their schedule far closer than we have played the good teams on ours. I know NEB, UNC and WMU are not UW, OSU and UM, but both NEB and WMU are ranked and UNC is just off the rankings having handily beat FSU on the road. Illinois was competitive in all of these games (especially at NEB) compared to our last two annihilations. I think realistically, Ill should be a 7 to 10 point favorite.
I think if Ash/Mehringer allow Laviano (or, whomever will be the QB) to actually throw the ball, we might generate some actual offense. Am I crazy for actually thinking this?
Laviano was able to throw the ball last year (in a different offense, I know). Not well, of course. But, he can throw.
Laviano was able to throw the ball last year (in a different offense, I know). Not well, of course. But, he can throw.
You are crazy because they do allow him to throw the ball but he won't pull the trigger. Plus see my post above.
Wow I am surprised that the line is that low after our offensive performance last week. I think that Laviano, Martin and Harris will have good games against this team. It should be a great game!
You want Lunt to play rather than backup. The backup is very mobile, Lunt not so much. Lunt has a bigger arm but is a statue. Both will play even if Lunt is healthy. They use backup to run spread option stuff in red zone and he is good in short passing game.
The 2 DE's are very very good. As in best in Big 10 good. Your tackles will be pressed. They get to the QB in a hurry.
The 2 DE's are very very good. As in best in Big 10 good. Your tackles will be pressed. They get to the QB in a hurry.
No they wouldn't. The best teams, with the best HFA's, are 5-point. Illinois, like RU, probably gets a 3-point HFA. Spread would have started at Illinois - 5.5 there IMHO.
Same here. I could also see us winning by the same score. Illinois isn't loaded with "quality athletes," either, so maybe, just maybe, we get off the HC "schneid" here.
Merhinger has to let Oden off the bench first....Then again whats Rutgers answer to what OSU and Michigan did after the first series in each of last two games??
RUN BLITZ EVERY DOWN?
cant see us winning the game without completing double diget passes
RUN BLITZ EVERY DOWN?
cant see us winning the game without completing double diget passes
the illinois offense got better with the backup. lunt was 4-9 42 yards. the backup was 10-14 142 yards and ran the ball 17 times for 137 yards 2td. even if healthy doubt lunt starts.
A
anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy
Guest
Won't one of the DE's miss the 1st half due to a targeting hit and ejection last week?
Could be. I didn't watch but a few plays. I watched the NU game a lot closer. Haha
This.
Having an Offense that has only scored 1 TD in 14 Qtrs ( a recent FBS record) that line is too low.
Included in those 14 Qtrs are the poor New Mexico defense and a sub par Iowa defense.
That is how I figured it. If It is Illini -2.5 at RU, it would be -5.5 at a neural site and -8.5 at Illinois.
----
All I can say is that we are not going to win many, if any games by trying to impose a run only offense on any big ten team...
I think you over estimate our abilities, even against a lower level big ten team.
---
It will be extremely disappointing if we do not score this Saturday.... the last two weeks are bad enough.
I'll take this bet. We are not going to be shut out by Illinois.
If we are, I'll shut up and change my handle to RU#2fan or Plump Street or something.
Last edited:
They have 1 receiver who can stretch the field and he is also pretty tall. The problem has been that Lunt wouldn't press the ball down field. He just was checking down to swing passes and Lovie has been considering benching him. The injury may give him the chance.
They play about 4 RB's and have 1 that is a threat to break it for monster runs. He isn't the biggest but he runs very low and hard. He's a nightmare in space.
If we score 2 Offensive TDs on Saturday I will change my handle to Old Potatoehead .
Really hope that happens.