College Football - Week of 8/30

[Magnetic Curses]

I can't wait for the Arch Rivalry, it should be awesome. I think Mizzou is going to be too much for U of I.

 

of course you do.

 

but seriously, i think mizzou wins in a close one again.

 

I think it's going to be a back and forth shoot out this year, with one team getting a late score to win by 14 or so to make it look not as close as it really was -- unlike last year, which was all Mizzou until the 4th when Illinois made a frantic comeback. It should be a great game. I can't wait.

 

take into account that their starting qb was out for most of the game, and the offense is largely based on what juice does, i think the illini win last year's game. but it's conjecture. i'd like to see the illini fly under the radar again this year, it will just make it that much sweeter when we win.

 

I don't think Juice makes some of the throws that McGee made in that game. He may not have fumbled the ball away for a TD at the 1, but overall I don't think the end result would've been terribly different.

 

When it comes to this year's game, especially as an opener, I think Mizzou returns more than Illinois, and they were a better team last year as well. Illinois lost their best player on both sides of the ball, and as such I think it's fair to be unsure of their ability to return to last year's levels(especially offensively where Mendenhall took a ton of pressure off Juice). To contrast, Mizzou returns 10 starters on defense, and the most vital pieces to their offense. The biggest concern for me is the O-Line playing together as it is for the first time against the Illini D-Line, but that's mitigated by the fact that Williams tore his ACL, Mizzou runs a lot of quick hitters, and they're deeper in the gun to begin with(your favorite Sulley). I guess it boils down to the fact that I like Daniel running the show with what he's got(or doesn't have) against the U of I defense a lot more than Juice running the who with what he's got(or doesn't have) against the Mizzou defense.

 

sirod williams isn't a gigantic loss for us. lindquist and brent will be fine. behind them we have ballew and liuget, who are young, but very physically gifted. i'm excited to see what liuget can do, actually. as far as de's, will davis, derek walker, and jerry brown are quite a rotation. davis will put pressure on daniel, no matter how far back daniel decides to stand behind center, the coward :wink:.

 

sure, we lose leman, but miller will be fine, and he'll looker better next to the defensive poy in the big ten (i'm calling it, now), martez wilson.

 

at cb, we're a year better. vontae davis, dere hicks, and miami thomas are three talented players. at safety, we add donsay "big time" hardeman--maclin might find out why they call him that soon enough.

 

we're better on defense, despite losing leman, and outsiders will discover that.

 

i think you're overestimating the loss of mendenhall on the offense, as well. he'll be missed, but the qb is the focal point, the rbs play off of his success, and juice can run the offense. he also came on in the passing game late last season, he can make the throws, and he's developed as a passer over the past year. are you aware of the receivers that the illini have? they may have the deepest and most talented receiving core in the big ten. i think we'll surprise you with the pass. cumberland will probably miss the game and it won't even matter, benn, duvalt, scott, jenkins, willis, and james can play. it will be fun to watch them.

 

the fighting illini football team has never ever been as athletic as they are this year.

[Andy]

So with the top 5 all playing unranked teams, I wonder how high Mizzou can move up if/when they beat Illinois.

If form holds from previous years, nothing but a really dominating performance will move them higher, unless one of the top 5 fails to destroy their opponents.

 

Although there are the usual spate of ridiculously easy games by the big-timers, there are enough quality matchups to make week 1 plenty interesting.

[Butterscup1679666578]

I can't wait for the Arch Rivalry, it should be awesome. I think Mizzou is going to be too much for U of I.

 

of course you do.

 

but seriously, i think mizzou wins in a close one again.

 

I think it's going to be a back and forth shoot out this year, with one team getting a late score to win by 14 or so to make it look not as close as it really was -- unlike last year, which was all Mizzou until the 4th when Illinois made a frantic comeback. It should be a great game. I can't wait.

 

take into account that their starting qb was out for most of the game, and the offense is largely based on what juice does, i think the illini win last year's game. but it's conjecture. i'd like to see the illini fly under the radar again this year, it will just make it that much sweeter when we win.

 

To be honest, and this is just from the little I've seen out of Illinois, I think McGee is the better QB. Juice might be a bigger threat with his legs, but his arm isn't good.

[Magnetic Curses]

I can't wait for the Arch Rivalry, it should be awesome. I think Mizzou is going to be too much for U of I.

 

of course you do.

 

but seriously, i think mizzou wins in a close one again.

 

I think it's going to be a back and forth shoot out this year, with one team getting a late score to win by 14 or so to make it look not as close as it really was -- unlike last year, which was all Mizzou until the 4th when Illinois made a frantic comeback. It should be a great game. I can't wait.

 

take into account that their starting qb was out for most of the game, and the offense is largely based on what juice does, i think the illini win last year's game. but it's conjecture. i'd like to see the illini fly under the radar again this year, it will just make it that much sweeter when we win.

 

To be honest, and this is just from the little I've seen out of Illinois, I think McGee is the better QB. Juice might be a bigger threat with his legs, but his arm isn't good.

 

juice has a stronger arm. why mcgee was successful in that game was because he was allowing the receivers to run under the passes and they were beating the mizzou secondary.

 

in actuality, mcgee is faster and the better runner, juice has a better arm but is more powerfully built and can absorb more contact.

 

juice will have good passing numbers this year, bank on it.

[Derwood]

has JoePa announced his starting QB? I'm so out of touch

[Guest]

that Coastal Carolina vs. Penn State game should be free to the public. PSU ought to be ashamed to be charging $40/ticket for that joke of a game

 

the same could be said for like 10 of the top 25 games.

 

with an even # of 1-A teams now (120) they should more or less banish 1-A teams from every playing 1-AA teams again. It's ludicrous (more so that it doesn't effect your SOS)

 

I'm all for making it affect the SOS if a FBS play a FCS team but what's the point of basically outlawing it. You can't possibly tell me you didn't LOVE Michigian getting upset by App. State last year, because that game wouldn't have happened if FBS teams couldn't play FCS teams.

 

And to a much lesser extent than Ap. St. vs. Michigan, UC Davis beating Stanford a couple years ago.

[Derwood]

that Coastal Carolina vs. Penn State game should be free to the public. PSU ought to be ashamed to be charging $40/ticket for that joke of a game

 

the same could be said for like 10 of the top 25 games.

 

with an even # of 1-A teams now (120) they should more or less banish 1-A teams from every playing 1-AA teams again. It's ludicrous (more so that it doesn't effect your SOS)

 

I'm all for making it affect the SOS if a FBS play a FCS team but what's the point of basically outlawing it. You can't possibly tell me you didn't LOVE Michigian getting upset by App. State last year, because that game wouldn't have happened if FBS teams couldn't play FCS teams.

 

And to a lesser extent, UC Davis beating Stanford a couple years ago.

 

I would trade those two games for better OOC schedules, yes. You named the two games out of hundreds that end up that way. I think the way college football schedules are put together is a little sketchy

[Guest]

North Dakota State beat Minnesota last year and I'm pretty sure Northern Iowa beat somebody, Iowa State maybe.

 

And whats the difference between Appalachian State or North Dakota State and some bottom feeder team from the Sun Belt or the MAC? You ban FBS teams from playing FCS teams and they'll just end up paying Florida International or Idaho or Kent State to come get an early-season beatdown.

[Guest]

Not to mention that Appalachian State and North Dakota State were probably better teams than the three FBS teams I listed.

[Derwood]

North Dakota State beat Minnesota last year and I'm pretty sure Northern Iowa beat somebody, Iowa State maybe.

 

And whats the difference between Appalachian State or North Dakota State and some bottom feeder team from the Sun Belt or the MAC? You ban FBS teams from playing FCS teams and they'll just end up paying Florida International or Idaho or Kent State to come get an early-season beatdown.

 

let those teams play each other then. Wouldn't you prefer to see the BCS schools have an OOC schedule with 2/4 or 3/4 schools from other major conferences? Wouldn't that be better than all this nonsense? These days, a big school schedules a top 25 opponent in their OOC and it's a big deal. I think that's lame

[Transmogrified Tiger]

i think you're overestimating the loss of mendenhall on the offense, as well. he'll be missed, but the qb is the focal point, the rbs play off of his success, and juice can run the offense. he also came on in the passing game late last season, he can make the throws, and he's developed as a passer over the past year. are you aware of the receivers that the illini have? they may have the deepest and most talented receiving core in the big ten. i think we'll surprise you with the pass. cumberland will probably miss the game and it won't even matter, benn, duvalt, scott, jenkins, willis, and james can play. it will be fun to watch them.

 

I don't think I am. Mendenhall got nearly 300 touches last year and averaged over 6 yards a carry. That's more than PJ Hill, Knowshon Moreno, or Jamaal Charles. Juice was the QB and only got about 430. Juice's completion percentage and INTs were not appreciably better as the season progressed, and he'll likely be facing more passing downs without Mendenhall. I don't doubt the ability and athleticism of the Illinois receivers, I doubt the ability of Williams to consistently get them the ball. I think counting on marked improvement from Juice without as strong a running game is pretty optimistic.

[Guest]

North Dakota State beat Minnesota last year and I'm pretty sure Northern Iowa beat somebody, Iowa State maybe.

 

And whats the difference between Appalachian State or North Dakota State and some bottom feeder team from the Sun Belt or the MAC? You ban FBS teams from playing FCS teams and they'll just end up paying Florida International or Idaho or Kent State to come get an early-season beatdown.

 

let those teams play each other then. Wouldn't you prefer to see the BCS schools have an OOC schedule with 2/4 or 3/4 schools from other major conferences? Wouldn't that be better than all this nonsense? These days, a big school schedules a top 25 opponent in their OOC and it's a big deal. I think that's lame

 

Yes, but that's not going to happen. If you mandate that BCS schools play a couple games from other BCS schools then the top teams are just going to schedule the crappy teams from the other conferences. Ohio State is going to schedule Ole Miss while LSU will schedule Minnesota.

[Derwood]

North Dakota State beat Minnesota last year and I'm pretty sure Northern Iowa beat somebody, Iowa State maybe.

 

And whats the difference between Appalachian State or North Dakota State and some bottom feeder team from the Sun Belt or the MAC? You ban FBS teams from playing FCS teams and they'll just end up paying Florida International or Idaho or Kent State to come get an early-season beatdown.

 

let those teams play each other then. Wouldn't you prefer to see the BCS schools have an OOC schedule with 2/4 or 3/4 schools from other major conferences? Wouldn't that be better than all this nonsense? These days, a big school schedules a top 25 opponent in their OOC and it's a big deal. I think that's lame

 

Yes, but that's not going to happen. If you mandate that BCS schools play a couple games from other BCS schools then the top teams are just going to schedule the crappy teams from the other conferences. Ohio State is going to schedule Ole Miss while LSU will schedule Minnesota.

 

I would prefer that, actually.

 

What I would really prefer would be taking the scheduling out of the individual schools' hands, but that will never happen

[Vanilla Ice]

Please add Duke to the games of interest.

 

Duke has a legitimate shot of winning their first game vs. James Madison.

 

This is the most excited I have been for Duke football ever.

[Post Count Padder]

One of my cousins goes to Coastal Carolina. That makes the game for me somewhat intriguing. God help me if we lose I might do something irrational.

[dew1679666265]

:yahoo: Finally, the best time of the year is upon us my friends!

 

I'm excited to see the offense under Dave Clawson (OC) and Jonathon Crompton (QB). It'll likely be rocky early - thus letting UCLA remain in the game for a while - but I think it'll be very solid.

 

I'm definitely excited for this year.

 

As am I, dew. I'm really looking forward to seeing what Berry, Morley, Willingham, and Vinson do against UCLA's 3rd stringer.

 

27-13, UT. (One score is on defense or special teams.)

 

Eric Berry may come close to Peyton Manning and Al Wilson as my favorite Vols of all time the way he's going.

 

I think the score will be a bit larger, probably closer to 35-14. It'll be close at the half, but UCLA's D will tire out because of no offensive help.

 

Plz go easy on us.

 

I'll see that Fulmer gets the message. :D

[dew1679666265]

Please add Duke to the games of interest.

 

Duke has a legitimate shot of winning their first game vs. James Madison.

 

This is the most excited I have been for Duke football ever.

 

I'll be pulling for you this year. :D

[Magnetic Curses]

i think you're overestimating the loss of mendenhall on the offense, as well. he'll be missed, but the qb is the focal point, the rbs play off of his success, and juice can run the offense. he also came on in the passing game late last season, he can make the throws, and he's developed as a passer over the past year. are you aware of the receivers that the illini have? they may have the deepest and most talented receiving core in the big ten. i think we'll surprise you with the pass. cumberland will probably miss the game and it won't even matter, benn, duvalt, scott, jenkins, willis, and james can play. it will be fun to watch them.

 

I don't think I am. Mendenhall got nearly 300 touches last year and averaged over 6 yards a carry. That's more than PJ Hill, Knowshon Moreno, or Jamaal Charles. Juice was the QB and only got about 430. Juice's completion percentage and INTs were not appreciably better as the season progressed, and he'll likely be facing more passing downs without Mendenhall. I don't doubt the ability and athleticism of the Illinois receivers, I doubt the ability of Williams to consistently get them the ball. I think counting on marked improvement from Juice without as strong a running game is pretty optimistic.

 

pierre thomas was the starter in 06, and averaged 6 ypc splitting time with mendenhall. i'm not worried about the running game. we have dufrene (6.3 ypc last year), pollard (over 6 before he got injured), and jason ford (remember the name) who will all get time and offer their own different looks as running backs. the illini won't struggle for yards on the ground.

 

juice only rushing for 430 last year isn't really the point. in the big games where they needed him to run, he got the tough yards. against the vaunted defense of ohio state, he sat on the ball the entire 4th quarter in a hostile environment because that's what they needed him to do. he may break the 500 yard mark this year, but he'll run just enough to be threat while the other backs get enough carries to lead the conference again, behind the big wall up front.

 

in his last 4 games last year, down the stretch, he put up very good numbers, and 2 of those games were aginst top 5 competition. if the running game isn't as strong, he'll throw more, and the illini will be fine. in his first 5 games he posted completion percentages 50 or below, then only once the rest of the way. in those last 4, he had one game below 60, and that was aginst osu, where he threw 4 tds and then parked it in the 4th.

 

as far as not expecting him to progress from his sophomore to junior campaigns, well, i can't really offer anything more than what i've heard and what i've seen. i'm telling you that the kid is getting it and ready to go.

Edited August 17, 2008 by Stannis

[Flames24Rulz]

i think you're overestimating the loss of mendenhall on the offense, as well. he'll be missed, but the qb is the focal point, the rbs play off of his success, and juice can run the offense. he also came on in the passing game late last season, he can make the throws, and he's developed as a passer over the past year. are you aware of the receivers that the illini have? they may have the deepest and most talented receiving core in the big ten. i think we'll surprise you with the pass. cumberland will probably miss the game and it won't even matter, benn, duvalt, scott, jenkins, willis, and james can play. it will be fun to watch them.

 

I don't think I am. Mendenhall got nearly 300 touches last year and averaged over 6 yards a carry. That's more than PJ Hill, Knowshon Moreno, or Jamaal Charles. Juice was the QB and only got about 430. Juice's completion percentage and INTs were not appreciably better as the season progressed, and he'll likely be facing more passing downs without Mendenhall. I don't doubt the ability and athleticism of the Illinois receivers, I doubt the ability of Williams to consistently get them the ball. I think counting on marked improvement from Juice without as strong a running game is pretty optimistic.

 

pierre thomas was the starter in 06, and averaged 6 ypc splitting time with mendenhall. i'm not worried about the running game. we have dufrene (6.3 ypc last year), pollard, and jason ford (remember the name) who will all get time and offer their own different looks as running backs. the illini won't struggle for yards on the ground.

 

juice only rushing for 430 last year isn't really the point. in the big games where they needed him to run, he got the tough yards. against the vaunted defense of ohio state, he sat on the ball the entire 4th quarter in a hostile environment because that's what they needed him to do. he may break the 500 yard mark this year, but he'll run just enough to be threat while the other backs get enough carries to lead the conference again, behind the big wall up front.

 

in his last 4 games last year, down the stretch, he put up very good numbers, and 2 of those games were aginst top 5 competition. if the running game isn't as strong, he'll throw more, and the illini will be fine. in his first 5 games he posted completion percentages 50 or below, then only once the rest of the way. in those last 4, he had one game below 60, and that was aginst osu, where he threw 4 tds and then parked it in the 4th.

 

as far as not expecting him to progress from his sophomore to junior campaigns, well, i can't really offer anything more than what i've heard and what i've seen. i'm telling you that the kid is getting it and ready to go.

 

Don't forget about Leshoure either. I think the running game, and the offense as a whole, will be just fine for the Illini this year.

[Magnetic Curses]

i think you're overestimating the loss of mendenhall on the offense, as well. he'll be missed, but the qb is the focal point, the rbs play off of his success, and juice can run the offense. he also came on in the passing game late last season, he can make the throws, and he's developed as a passer over the past year. are you aware of the receivers that the illini have? they may have the deepest and most talented receiving core in the big ten. i think we'll surprise you with the pass. cumberland will probably miss the game and it won't even matter, benn, duvalt, scott, jenkins, willis, and james can play. it will be fun to watch them.

 

I don't think I am. Mendenhall got nearly 300 touches last year and averaged over 6 yards a carry. That's more than PJ Hill, Knowshon Moreno, or Jamaal Charles. Juice was the QB and only got about 430. Juice's completion percentage and INTs were not appreciably better as the season progressed, and he'll likely be facing more passing downs without Mendenhall. I don't doubt the ability and athleticism of the Illinois receivers, I doubt the ability of Williams to consistently get them the ball. I think counting on marked improvement from Juice without as strong a running game is pretty optimistic.

 

pierre thomas was the starter in 06, and averaged 6 ypc splitting time with mendenhall. i'm not worried about the running game. we have dufrene (6.3 ypc last year), pollard, and jason ford (remember the name) who will all get time and offer their own different looks as running backs. the illini won't struggle for yards on the ground.

 

juice only rushing for 430 last year isn't really the point. in the big games where they needed him to run, he got the tough yards. against the vaunted defense of ohio state, he sat on the ball the entire 4th quarter in a hostile environment because that's what they needed him to do. he may break the 500 yard mark this year, but he'll run just enough to be threat while the other backs get enough carries to lead the conference again, behind the big wall up front.

 

in his last 4 games last year, down the stretch, he put up very good numbers, and 2 of those games were aginst top 5 competition. if the running game isn't as strong, he'll throw more, and the illini will be fine. in his first 5 games he posted completion percentages 50 or below, then only once the rest of the way. in those last 4, he had one game below 60, and that was aginst osu, where he threw 4 tds and then parked it in the 4th.

 

as far as not expecting him to progress from his sophomore to junior campaigns, well, i can't really offer anything more than what i've heard and what i've seen. i'm telling you that the kid is getting it and ready to go.

 

Don't forget about Leshoure either. I think the running game, and the offense as a whole, will be just fine for the Illini this year.

 

i would have liked to have seen leshoure redshirt and then move to FB, he's a large one.

[Hosak8]

:yahoo: Finally, the best time of the year is upon us my friends!

 

I'm excited to see the offense under Dave Clawson (OC) and Jonathon Crompton (QB). It'll likely be rocky early - thus letting UCLA remain in the game for a while - but I think it'll be very solid.

 

I'm definitely excited for this year.

 

As am I, dew. I'm really looking forward to seeing what Berry, Morley, Willingham, and Vinson do against UCLA's 3rd stringer.

 

27-13, UT. (One score is on defense or special teams.)

 

Eric Berry may come close to Peyton Manning and Al Wilson as my favorite Vols of all time the way he's going.

 

I think the score will be a bit larger, probably closer to 35-14. It'll be close at the half, but UCLA's D will tire out because of no offensive help.

 

Plz go easy on us.

 

I'll see that Fulmer gets the message. :D

 

The scrimmage tonight is very encouraging. Crompton played very well, Poole is apparently about to pass Creer on the depth chart, and Gerald Williams will be the starting at Mike by Florida.

 

I may revise my prediction later. I am amazed at the confidence many Bruin fans are displaying on various websites, especially with no true starting QB, and only one returning starter in the defensive backfield. The one place I would say that have an advantage over TN would be on the DL. Every other position has to be a UT advantage, IMO.

 

Perhaps Chow and Neuheisel put together a game plan that keeps the Bruins in this one, but I still see a fairly easy UT win.

[Flames24Rulz]

i think you're overestimating the loss of mendenhall on the offense, as well. he'll be missed, but the qb is the focal point, the rbs play off of his success, and juice can run the offense. he also came on in the passing game late last season, he can make the throws, and he's developed as a passer over the past year. are you aware of the receivers that the illini have? they may have the deepest and most talented receiving core in the big ten. i think we'll surprise you with the pass. cumberland will probably miss the game and it won't even matter, benn, duvalt, scott, jenkins, willis, and james can play. it will be fun to watch them.

 

I don't think I am. Mendenhall got nearly 300 touches last year and averaged over 6 yards a carry. That's more than PJ Hill, Knowshon Moreno, or Jamaal Charles. Juice was the QB and only got about 430. Juice's completion percentage and INTs were not appreciably better as the season progressed, and he'll likely be facing more passing downs without Mendenhall. I don't doubt the ability and athleticism of the Illinois receivers, I doubt the ability of Williams to consistently get them the ball. I think counting on marked improvement from Juice without as strong a running game is pretty optimistic.

 

pierre thomas was the starter in 06, and averaged 6 ypc splitting time with mendenhall. i'm not worried about the running game. we have dufrene (6.3 ypc last year), pollard, and jason ford (remember the name) who will all get time and offer their own different looks as running backs. the illini won't struggle for yards on the ground.

 

juice only rushing for 430 last year isn't really the point. in the big games where they needed him to run, he got the tough yards. against the vaunted defense of ohio state, he sat on the ball the entire 4th quarter in a hostile environment because that's what they needed him to do. he may break the 500 yard mark this year, but he'll run just enough to be threat while the other backs get enough carries to lead the conference again, behind the big wall up front.

 

in his last 4 games last year, down the stretch, he put up very good numbers, and 2 of those games were aginst top 5 competition. if the running game isn't as strong, he'll throw more, and the illini will be fine. in his first 5 games he posted completion percentages 50 or below, then only once the rest of the way. in those last 4, he had one game below 60, and that was aginst osu, where he threw 4 tds and then parked it in the 4th.

 

as far as not expecting him to progress from his sophomore to junior campaigns, well, i can't really offer anything more than what i've heard and what i've seen. i'm telling you that the kid is getting it and ready to go.

 

Don't forget about Leshoure either. I think the running game, and the offense as a whole, will be just fine for the Illini this year.

 

i would have liked to have seen leshoure redshirt and then move to FB, he's a large one.

 

He can be the perfect change of pace back for guys like Dufrene and Ford. I wouldn't be surprised to see him be the primary back inside the 10.

[Hosak8]

Please add Duke to the games of interest.

 

Duke has a legitimate shot of winning their first game vs. James Madison.

 

This is the most excited I have been for Duke football ever.

 

I believe that in time, you will never have to wonder if Duke has a legit shot to beat teams like JMU. Once Cut gets some players, Duke will be respectable. I doubt he'll ever compete for ACC Championships (unless he brings in another Manning), but he'll make Duke respectable. I only question how long he stays.

[RedFlash]

Huntingdon College .v. Faulkner University will be one heck of a football game................ :D

[Andy]

Speaking as someone who watched two Illinois games last year (Ball State and Ohio State, and some of the USC Rose Bowl beatdown), Juice had better improve his passing game as Sulley says he will. Rashard Mendenhall had like 200 yards rushing against us while Juice was running for about 60 and trying his best to pass us into the game at every turn.

 

He had the 4 TD's against Ohio State, but he'll need to have a few more of those type of games for Illinois to be successful this year.