Illinois

BleedRed78

Redshirt
Oct 22, 2019
3,466
0
0
Finally had a chance to watch their spring game for myself to see what we're up against. In short - we better come ready to play. Say what you want about Bielema, but that dude's a solid coach. They have lots of returning production, and they look like they have a decent passing game to go with his run game which we all know too well from years ago.

The big thing that stood out to me was their gap in depth. Their second team dropped off a cliff compared to their first team. I think depth (thank God) is finally becoming a strength of ours for the first time in a long time (aside from maybe QB sadly). Our best strategy to win might be to wear their starters on defense down with a good, patient run game and some no huddle offense that needs to finally zip lightning fast in year 4 of Frost's scheme like he did with UCF. I think if we can do that with some success and limit their big plays on offense, we stand a chance.

Being the first game, this is huge to the rest of our season. Our guys need that confidence boost from a W here more than we'd like to admit. I know a lot of people here are saying we need to win big over them or else, but I think a W is a W. Even a close win against Illinois this first game of the year could prove to be huge for us.

Thoughts?
 

ridge22

Junior
Oct 19, 2004
1,895
343
0
 
Oct 12, 2016
3,457
609
0
Finally had a chance to watch their spring game for myself to see what we're up against. In short - we better come ready to play. Say what you want about Bielema, but that dude's a solid coach. They have lots of returning production, and they look like they have a decent passing game to go with his run game which we all know too well from years ago.

The big thing that stood out to me was their gap in depth. Their second team dropped off a cliff compared to their first team. I think depth (thank God) is finally becoming a strength of ours for the first time in a long time (aside from maybe QB sadly). Our best strategy to win might be to wear their starters on defense down with a good, patient run game and some no huddle offense that needs to finally zip lightning fast in year 4 of Frost's scheme like he did with UCF. I think if we can do that with some success and limit their big plays on offense, we stand a chance.

Being the first game, this is huge to the rest of our season. Our guys need that confidence boost from a W here more than we'd like to admit. I know a lot of people here are saying we need to win big over them or else, but I think a W is a W. Even a close win against Illinois this first game of the year could prove to be huge for us.

Thoughts?
Hearing rumors that Isaiah Williams is like another Jaylen Waddle. He played QB during the spring game but is now a slot WR, apparently lightning fast.

They also have the most Super Seniors returning in the BIG10.
 
Oct 12, 2016
3,457
609
0
Finally had a chance to watch their spring game for myself to see what we're up against. In short - we better come ready to play. Say what you want about Bielema, but that dude's a solid coach. They have lots of returning production, and they look like they have a decent passing game to go with his run game which we all know too well from years ago.

The big thing that stood out to me was their gap in depth. Their second team dropped off a cliff compared to their first team. I think depth (thank God) is finally becoming a strength of ours for the first time in a long time (aside from maybe QB sadly). Our best strategy to win might be to wear their starters on defense down with a good, patient run game and some no huddle offense that needs to finally zip lightning fast in year 4 of Frost's scheme like he did with UCF. I think if we can do that with some success and limit their big plays on offense, we stand a chance.

Being the first game, this is huge to the rest of our season. Our guys need that confidence boost from a W here more than we'd like to admit. I know a lot of people here are saying we need to win big over them or else, but I think a W is a W. Even a close win against Illinois this first game of the year could prove to be huge for us.

Thoughts?
Was their Orange offense going up against their #1 D? If so, their pass D is terrible.
 
Aug 18, 2016
16,630
10,905
113
Hearing rumors that Isaiah Williams is like another Jaylen Waddle. He played QB during the spring game but is now a slot WR, apparently lightning fast.

They also have the most Super Seniors returning in the BIG10.
Waddle can catch the ball. Williams is struggling to do that part.
 

inthedeed

Junior
Mar 28, 2009
6,919
314
83
their dl will certainly give our ol a good workout. we will see early on just how far the oline group has progressed
 
Aug 18, 2016
16,630
10,905
113
The Illinois DL is not real deep, they may go 5 deep on the front 3, but they also moved a starting OLineman to Dline after Bielema arrived. If Nebraska moved Benhart or Jurgens to Dline we would be concerned about DLine depth. Running the ball will help, but rushing the passer play after play takes as much out of a DLineman, physically, as getting pounded does. Teams with no depth need to get worn out physically, then mentally. Nebraska's Oline will probably be improved, but it isn't quite to the point of dominating a team up front yet.

In my opinion, I want to see to see a 50/50 or 55/45 mix of run/ pass over the 3 quarters then a steady diet of Stepp in the 4th to either salt the game away.
 

SuperBigFan

Redshirt
Jun 10, 2021
7,267
0
0
What was that crazy stat, something like 55% of Peter's completed passes went to that one WR who is gone now.
 

PCastro

Redshirt
Jul 20, 2019
1,299
1
0
Finally had a chance to watch their spring game for myself to see what we're up against. In short - we better come ready to play. Say what you want about Bielema, but that dude's a solid coach. They have lots of returning production, and they look like they have a decent passing game to go with his run game which we all know too well from years ago.

The big thing that stood out to me was their gap in depth. Their second team dropped off a cliff compared to their first team. I think depth (thank God) is finally becoming a strength of ours for the first time in a long time (aside from maybe QB sadly). Our best strategy to win might be to wear their starters on defense down with a good, patient run game and some no huddle offense that needs to finally zip lightning fast in year 4 of Frost's scheme like he did with UCF. I think if we can do that with some success and limit their big plays on offense, we stand a chance.

Being the first game, this is huge to the rest of our season. Our guys need that confidence boost from a W here more than we'd like to admit. I know a lot of people here are saying we need to win big over them or else, but I think a W is a W. Even a close win against Illinois this first game of the year could prove to be huge for us.

Thoughts?
Love the depth advantage but unless it’s super hot game 1 difference in depth might not be any advantage as it’s 1’s vs 1’s without the strain of weeks of games stacked yet
 

B1G RED RULES

All-Conference
Sep 7, 2013
4,154
1,132
0
Establishing a run game is a must. Need to wear them out and win it in the 4th.
This is exactly what concerns me about Scott Frost in year f**king FOUR. We are concerned about how we will compete with a perennial B1G bottom feeder with a first year head coach.
 

Ki113rSk3r69

Senior
Jan 9, 2006
3,370
520
1
We better win the battle up front…on both sides. The rest should fall into place thereafter…
 

SuperBigFan

Redshirt
Jun 10, 2021
7,267
0
0
I really think this will be a boring game with a pretty lopsided score in favor of the Huskers

Like a 35-14 type of feel.
 

Sodakred

All-Conference
Jul 31, 2018
3,033
1,204
113
This is year 4 of Frosty and downtrodden Illini have made yet another coaching change. We should roll by at least 20. If not Frosty should stay in Illinois.
 

steinek11

All-Conference
Apr 18, 2004
13,481
1,216
113
The Illinois DL is not real deep, they may go 5 deep on the front 3, but they also moved a starting OLineman to Dline after Bielema arrived. If Nebraska moved Benhart or Jurgens to Dline we would be concerned about DLine depth. Running the ball will help, but rushing the passer play after play takes as much out of a DLineman, physically, as getting pounded does. Teams with no depth need to get worn out physically, then mentally. Nebraska's Oline will probably be improved, but it isn't quite to the point of dominating a team up front yet.

In my opinion, I want to see to see a 50/50 or 55/45 mix of run/ pass over the 3 quarters then a steady diet of Stepp in the 4th to either salt the game away.
Stepp is not 100% as of this moment. I don't know if he will be the guy.
 

Lincoln100

All-Conference
Jun 16, 2010
12,989
2,077
0
This is exactly what concerns me about Scott Frost in year f**king FOUR. We are concerned about how we will compete with a perennial B1G bottom feeder with a first year head coach.
His 4th year, with all his guys, a 3 year starter st qb, and an experienced and salty D, and 6.5 is the #. Fasten that seat belt tight.
 

SuperBigFan

Redshirt
Jun 10, 2021
7,267
0
0
It is so true!

Look, NW and Iowa and Wisky and Minny and Illinois and all those **** teams are just that, ******.

It is not that they are good, it is that NU ******* sucks. Nebraska should be winning the west 75% of the time. Period.
 

donahues17

Senior
Nov 5, 2005
6,682
732
0
This is year 4 of Frosty and downtrodden Illini have made yet another coaching change. We should roll by at least 20. If not Frosty should stay in Illinois.
Exactly. Its not like we are talking Ohio State or even Wisconsin. Its f'ing Illinois. We had some big time defensive players return for a Covid year and we are predicted to win 6 games? With 3 year starter at QB? My god how the mighty have fallen.
 
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Cornicator

Hall of Famer
Feb 27, 2009
58,083
201,729
113
bielema has never lost in his first game as a new HC (2-0)

frost is 3-3 in openers (1-2 at NU)


Brett also never played a Conference game or another Power 5 team in game one. This is dumb stat. Lol.

In fact, very few first year coaches replacing a fired coach have to face another Power 5 foe in game one.
 

steinek11

All-Conference
Apr 18, 2004
13,481
1,216
113
We need to take IL seriously, and then curb stomp them. This could be Frosts slump buster. He really needs to light someone up. Husker woes these days are largely mental.
 

Redscarlet

Heisman
Jun 17, 2001
32,886
10,821
113
We need to take IL seriously, and then curb stomp them. This could be Frosts slump buster. He really needs to light someone up. Husker woes these days are largely mental.
What makes you think that their NOT taking this game seriously?

I’ve come to the conclusion that the first and last regular season game will be the 2 biggest games of the season of important‘s of having a winning season..
 

steinek11

All-Conference
Apr 18, 2004
13,481
1,216
113
What makes you think that their NOT taking this game seriously?

I’ve come to the conclusion that the first and last regular season game will be the 2 biggest games of the season of important‘s of having a winning season..
I didn't make my point clearly. I think we take them too seriously. Not serious enough is a problem, but Ohio State they are not. We should have the quiet confidence that we have a better team and the expectation of a win. We have a QB with 3 years of starting experience. That should matter.
 

HuskerInFlorida

Redshirt
Nov 21, 2020
46
0
0
If Frost can get the team to stay disciplined, do their job, eliminate mental errors, it will be a close game and a win. It is as easy as that.