Illini #11!
A few surprises in the Big 10 this year, but none bigger than Illinois being, without question, the biggest flop in the league. Some considered the Illini as a Dark Horse for the championship, and almost everyone had them in a decent bowl.
They are horrible. Their horrid play is a bigger surprise than Iowa's first 7-0 record since 1985 or even Purdue's victory over TOSU.
October 18th, 2009 at 12:46 AM ^
as Illinois. Purdue has had some tough losses, and has been their own worse enemy. I saw the Oregon game and the Bolden kid was domininating.
Illinois is just getting beat. I truly don't understand how they can be doing this poorly given the talent, experience and coaching. It's surprising.
I don't have any fear of Illinois (that had better not come back and bite me), but Purdue is a dangerous snake oiled team.
October 18th, 2009 at 1:47 AM ^
We haven't won a road game this year yet. They might be bad but we gotta prove we can win on the road in Champagne on Halloween. Sounds eerie.
October 18th, 2009 at 3:26 PM ^
We've played all of two road games this year. One was a rivalry game that we took to overtime. The other was against a team that is now in the top 10, which we took down to the final minute. I don't see this as big issue.
October 18th, 2009 at 8:11 AM ^
I've watched Illinois a couple times this year and they just seem to be out of sorts. Juice Williams is somehow not throwing accurate at all. He's still a run threat but he isn't really hitting his WR's well. Like someone else mentioned they have to go to an inspired Purdue squad next week, I don't think they're gonna win that one. They're staring last place in the big ten in the face right now.
Purdue was putting up a lot of points early in the year - as mentioned the Oregon game, they put up something like 50 on Toledo, but they just kept imploding and losing. They'll be a tougher opponent than people expected at the start of the season.
October 18th, 2009 at 10:54 AM ^
I agree it's surprising given the talent and experience, but that's where it stops. It is TOTALLY believable when you remember Ron Zook is the coach. The guy averaged less than 8 wins/year with insane talent at Florida. At Illinois he is getting talent, but not on par with his Florida days.
You almost feel bad for Juice and Arrelious Benn...great players (raw) that really haven't improved their game because of poor coaching for their entire careers.
October 18th, 2009 at 1:04 AM ^
Mr. Zook, congratulations for recruiting a good team, and coaching them right out of your own job.
October 19th, 2009 at 9:09 AM ^
Meyer took basically the same squad (OK, he had Tebow for those short yardage bull-rushes and jump passes) and coached them to a national championship.
And of course Meyer has continued to recruit like a mad man, but hey, he can also coach!
October 18th, 2009 at 1:46 AM ^
they'll get their crap together in time for Michigan.
by the way they play at Purdue next week.
October 18th, 2009 at 2:01 AM ^
But I still hope the 2-TD loss to the Hoosiers has broken Illinois' spirit for good this year. Not to mention Zook couldn't coach his way out of a paper bag (even if the kind of paper was "toilet").
October 18th, 2009 at 8:19 AM ^
presser after the Indiana game, he didn't give a Bobby Williams type of answer but he's close.....he may not survive this year.
Lose to Purdue and Michigan and you're 1-7 with Min and NW left and two pretty meaningless on paper games with Cincinnati and Fresno......two more teams that could beat them.
October 18th, 2009 at 10:58 AM ^
The way both teams are playing right now, Cincinnati will cream them.
October 19th, 2009 at 11:16 AM ^
I would give Cincinnati a pretty healthy edge on us right now.
October 18th, 2009 at 11:25 AM ^
Cincinnati is gonna put 70 on them.
October 18th, 2009 at 11:32 AM ^
And Ohio State only got 30 against Illinois. So hopefully that will add fuel to the "Replace Tressel with Brian Kelly" debate.
October 18th, 2009 at 3:17 PM ^
I hope that doesn't happen. Kelly wins wherever he goes, and OSU would be no exception.
October 18th, 2009 at 3:23 PM ^
Are you saying that you'd want to see Kelly at OSU?
October 18th, 2009 at 3:46 PM ^
Hold you tongue wench. I don't want to have to disown Brian Kelly. And I'd have to learn to deal with getting a "mudhole" stomped in us by BK every year.
October 18th, 2009 at 6:35 PM ^
BK is a great coach but last i checked so is RR...
October 25th, 2009 at 12:50 PM ^
absolutely. I just know how well BK has recruited at every stop and clearly he can coach the pants off of just about anyone. I could be wrong but I just dont' see that dude failing. very happy with the RR hiring but had BK been where he is NOW two years ago I would have preferred him.
October 19th, 2009 at 2:08 AM ^
I'd been reading the Buckeye fans complaining about Tressel in the aftermath of the Purdue loss. Those most eager for Tressel's removal seemed to have two replacements in mind: Kelly or Jon Gruden. Obviously, either would be an upgrade over Tressel, so no--I would most certainly NOT like to see one of those moves made. But everyone knows Tressel has the Suckeye job locked-down for many seasons into the future; it doesn't matter if a vocal contingent of their fans WANT Kelly, they're not getting him anytime soon--and if they ever do get him, it will only be because RichRod has by then established lawful ownership of Tressel like the previous administration did over Cooper. From this perspective, I view any OSU fan's clamoring for Kelly as just another reflection of anxiety and frustration--emotions that would presumably intensify if Kelly continues to excel and Tressel continues to slip.
October 19th, 2009 at 10:57 AM ^
Kelly might be an upgrade over Tressel, but Gruden's a mystery. I don't think he's ever been a head coach at this level.
October 19th, 2009 at 11:32 AM ^
Reading this just gave me goosebumps.
October 25th, 2009 at 1:01 PM ^
In a bad way, right?