Illinois Game Time

Submitted by gater on

Does anyone know when they will be releasing the time for the Illinois game?  I thought they did it 12 days before games, but it's 10 days before this one.

Frank Drebin

October 28th, 2010 at 2:17 PM ^

Rittenberg said in one of his mailbags this week that ABC is waiting until after this weeks games to determine their game. Based on the results, they will select (I think he said on Sunday) and then ESPN and the B10 network will have their picks.

jml969

October 28th, 2010 at 2:20 PM ^

Ira and Sam brought this up and they said that because of the weekend lineup of games were pretty weak. Espn has exercised their right to hold off on announcing game times to see the outcome of each game. Then determine game times from there

WichitanWolverine

October 28th, 2010 at 2:24 PM ^

It's probably not worth its own post, but what do you guys think our chances are of winning that game?  I thought we'd wipe the floor with Illinois, until last weekend when they bitchslapped Indiana.  As of right now I don't think we have much of a chance.

Did anyone watch the Illinois/Indiana game that can give me a reason for optimism?

France719

October 28th, 2010 at 2:41 PM ^

Yes, Illinois beat Indiana pretty convincingly while we just got by, but its not as simple as that when it comes to our game.  I won't pretend to be an expert on Illinois, but I believe their QB doesn't like to go downfield much and often won't take shots even when they are there.  I'm not talking long bombs either, I mean the digs and posts and corner routes often get over looked for the crossing routes.  Yes I realize nothing involving the ball traveling through the air is a strength for our defense, but I believe we can get some stops with their mindset.

What does worry me is how Illinois was able to keep MSU's running game in check.  Denard is a whole different animal, but their run D is sound.  That may be the key to they game.

Blue_Sox

October 28th, 2010 at 3:05 PM ^

 

Illinois blew out Indiana, but not in a way that's likely to be repeated. Scheelhaase threw for 123 yards passing and 2 TDs. Illinois only had 289 yards of total offense. They scored twice on interception returns and got 5 turnovers in the game altogether. Our offense is totally different than Indiana's because we are not totally incapable of running the ball. That is actually our strong suit. Yes, Illinois does some things well on defense...but certainly not to the point of saying we have "no chance." I think we match up pretty well in this game. It seems Illinois plays much different away from Champaign also. They hung in with OSU at home but got thoroughly shut down at MSU (despite State being flat early on following their game against us in a "let down" game).

michgoblue

October 28th, 2010 at 3:06 PM ^

#1: 

 

#2:  No Juice

 

#3:  Um, we are 5-2 and they are 4-3.  

#4:  They put up 6 points against MSU - we put up significantly more.

Seriously, though, if we are going to look at EVERY opponent that is not Purdue and say "I don't think we have much of a chance," then that is a sad commentary on the state of our team.  Is this game the gimme we thought it was?  No.  Is it winnable (i.e. can we beat a team that only scored 6 points on MSU)?  100%, and in fact, I would still favor us, even if slightly.

Blue_Sox

October 28th, 2010 at 2:31 PM ^

Illinois @ Michigan

Northwestern @ Penn State

Iowa @ Indiana

Wisconsin @ Purdue

Minnesota @ MSU

...I don't see how we're not the 3:30 game. If we could have night games now, we would be at 8.

michgoblue

October 28th, 2010 at 4:10 PM ^

Not sure I agree.  IF we win, we would be a borderline top 25 team (we are already so in the Coaches Poll) playing an unranked, so-so team.  But, the same can be said of the Wisco game (Wisco is better than us but Purdue is worse the Illinois), and the MSU game (MSU is (*puke*) better than us but Minny is worse than Illinois), and the Iowa game (Iowa is better than us and Indiana is worse than Illinois). 

If we lose this week, forget about it - two crappy to average teams squaring off - not worthy of 3:30 in the networks opinion. 

a2bluefan

October 28th, 2010 at 3:19 PM ^

I've been waiting for this to be announced as well. I don't care what time the kick is, but I have two different buddies on hold, and the time determines which one of them can go. Don't usually find myself in this situation, and of course the one time I do, they decide to invoke the "...or 6 days" part of that rule.

Damn you, Angry Michigan Schedule Hating God....

northmuskeGOnBLUE

October 28th, 2010 at 4:00 PM ^

It is pretty much guaranteed it will be dark by 5:30pm for Illinois. I know they have brought in portable lights for other games, but this was mostly for the "twilight" hours, correct? I know the permanent lights are coming, but I don't think they have been installed as of yet.

I know in past games the portable lights did not offer the best illumination on the field and often created weird shadows and such. Will this have an affect on game time?

For the record I would be in favor of a noon kick off. My three hour each way drive makes 3:30pm games killer since I like to be tailgating as early as possible!

a2bluefan

October 28th, 2010 at 5:07 PM ^

I'm a little surprised they aren't installing the permanent lights as we speak, given the 3-week break between the Iowa and Illinois games. Maybe just unable to get on the installer's schedule? They'll have 3 weeks between the Wisconsin game and the Big Chill (which they planned to have them done in time for)... but why not do it before snow is a possibility?  Who knows... perhaps it's something that's done rather quickly and they'll pop 'em in next week.

I recall a November Illinois game during the Moeller years that was a 3:30 start, ended in pitch dark, and until the 2008 Northwestern game was the absolute worst weather (cold, wind, wintry mix... mostly rain and ice) I've been at a game for.  Point being... I guess those temporary lights will have to do, and they're probably a little better now than back in the 1990s.

a2bluefan

October 29th, 2010 at 1:45 PM ^

Those were temporary, and are no longer there. I drive by the stadium every day en route to work....   the best thing about my drive to work, of course. :)    I can report, however, that there is a crane at the stadium as I type this. It was lifting some small cage-looking thing to the roof on the east side....  perhaps something in prep for the permanent lights?

I'd expect permanent lights to be larger than what was at the Iowa game.

SFBlue

October 28th, 2010 at 4:43 PM ^

I will be in the stands for the first time since the '08 Utah game, coming from the West Coast.  3:30 start would sure help that mgojetlag.