Is anyone going to the ILL game?
I was wondering if any of you mgobloggers are going to the ILL game? I am going this year for my first UM road game and I do not really know what to expect. Have any of you been there before? I would tend to think the hometown crowd would be about as accomodating as we are to others (by that I mean if you cheer for your team you will be fine but try not to be over the top or you might meet a little hostility), but am curious if I should be looking and preparing for something else.
September 28th, 2009 at 11:12 AM ^
Supposedly for some unknown reason ILL hates us with a passion. Apparently it's pretty bad and their fans are not that accommodating. (I've never been just what I've heard). It won't be OSU bad but I'd expect it to be UW, PSU, MSU bad (Been to all 3 never had a problem)
September 28th, 2009 at 11:19 AM ^
IL be there. Never been to a roadie either. Should be fun. Although after seeing UI get shut out this Saturday . . . I'm hoping they'll at least be competitive. Although I can't say I would mind seeing our guys put up 50 on anyone.
September 28th, 2009 at 11:26 AM ^
My girlfriend and I will be there. Its my third away game, and her 1st.
September 28th, 2009 at 11:30 AM ^
Do you remember what Juice Williams did to us last year?
I'm already nervous for this game, as our defense has a propensity for giving up huge chunks of yardage. It seems this one will be another shootout.
September 28th, 2009 at 11:38 AM ^
But I'm hoping with the D practicing against the spread option with Tate and Denard at QB every week, they'll be better prepared than they were last year. Best case scenario, we shut down the QB run option and make Juice win with his arm.
September 28th, 2009 at 11:38 AM ^
Yeah I remember Juice shredding us last year. I was so pissed off after that damn play action where he tricked even the camera-man. I hope TF and D-Rob go in there and show them how it feels. If the first 3 games are any indication of Juice this year I don't think he will be much of a problem.
September 28th, 2009 at 12:40 PM ^
Yeah, I'll be there. Should be a great game.
September 28th, 2009 at 12:40 PM ^
I went to Champaign in 2007; had a great time. It was a night game, and the atmosphere was awesome. Of course, it didn't hurt that we won the game in semi-dramatic fashion. :) I was treated well before, during, and after the game. I was seated by myself away from the Michigan section. I got a fair amount of ribbing, but the kind that's as fun for me as it is for them. Nothing out of line.
Have a good time!
September 28th, 2009 at 1:38 PM ^
Sounds like the same experience I am hoping for. Thanks
September 28th, 2009 at 1:13 PM ^
I might be going to this game. It's only about a 4 hour drive for me, but I have to see how my money situation is between now and then. A guy I work with has friends in Champaign and he's going to try and get me some tickets for nothing, but I just don't know yet.
I've been to road games at Purdue and Indiana, and they're always fairly accomodating. It helps that I'm from Indiana and have friends that are fans/alumni of both schools though.
I'm really hoping to be there.
September 28th, 2009 at 1:48 PM ^
It is about a 9 hour drive for me but I have a time-share in St. Louis which is only about 3 hours away. My wife and I are going and this will be a nice little weekend get away.
September 28th, 2009 at 2:30 PM ^
Sorry to go way OT, but what set of bizarre circumstances leads to one owning a time share in exotic St. Louis?
September 28th, 2009 at 4:11 PM ^
Long story short they have many resorts and there just happens to be one in MO. Actually it is in St. Jenevive MO which is about an hour south of St. Louis but it is easier to say St. Louis.
September 28th, 2009 at 2:26 PM ^
For those going to Champaign, all I can say is watch your back. Illinois fans are among the worst in the Big Ten. I had some friends that went there a couple years ago and they said it almost felt like they were in Columbus. After the 2000 game, Illinois' president wrote a letter of apology to UM for the Illini fans treatment of the UM tailgators as well their treatment of the Michigan Marching Band which was pretty much bombarded with bottles and stones from Illinois students.
They have extra hostility against us because they haven't beaten us on their turf since 1983. Their entire student section always wears those "Muck Fichigan" t-shirts.
Have fun, but be careful.
September 28th, 2009 at 3:04 PM ^
I've been to Champaign for the Michigan game a few times. I'm also planning on going this year. I haven't really had too many problems there... There is always going to be a bad fan here or there no matter where you go.
I will say, that Illinois fans' most hated school is Michigan. It is always a big deal for them to beat us (as it should be). Being from Illinois, I would always go with friends who were students or alum and never really had man problems. I've even sat in their student section (I think in 2004) decked out in my Michigan gear and was also very vocal. It might be a little rowdier this time because it is also Halloween.
Also, pray that the wind isn't blowing the wrong direction. That campus can really smell awful some days.