Official Illinois has more wins than Michigan and ND combined thread

[Gregatron]

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Since this thread got bumped, I just wanted to note that Michigan and ND combined have more wins than Illinois now.

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Hater.

[NozeCandy]

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Since this thread got bumped, I just wanted to note that Michigan combined have more wins than Illinois now.

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ND redacted

[MyTurn2Raise]

I'm still elated with the season so far

I believe my preseason prediction was this would be a curious year with Illinois capable of winning anything from 3 to 9 regular season games

The Zooker still does some real headscratching things, but he does a good job at setting up the scheme, keeping dumb penalties to a minimum, and upgrading the talent level. Funny that dumb penalties are a plus for this team, yet the big failing in the last two losses. Illinois has only had one illegal formation and one delay of game all season IIRC. False starts are also at a minimum.
The coverage teams are exponentially better. I think this is where the talent upgrade is most evident. No one has had success breaking through the Illini coverage team--speed, athleticism, and toughness are awesome.

Frankly, 2009 is supposed to be the break out year to the next level. The way this year has gone means most want be surprised.

Next year will probably be tougher for the Illini due to scheduling and new linemen. Switching Wisconsin, Penn St, Michigan, and Northwestern to road games is worse than Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, and Ohio State at home.

Also, the o-line has alot of seniors that have become a great unit. It should take some time for that to gel. Not looking forward to Mizzou in St. Louis.

However, I'm looking forward to more speed, speed, and speed at the other wide receiver spots and on the defense.




Anyway, still work to be done.
The year will be a major success if the Illini can beat Minnesota and Northwestern. Illinois doesn't have the talent, yet, to just roll inferior teams. They have to show up and make less mistakes than the opponents.
As to Ohio State, the only thing that makes me positive about this is Illinois' past success in recent games in Columbus and the different offensive scheme for Illinois. However, after watching the Buckeyes at Penn St, I see no way for Illinois to hold tOSU under 35.

[bonds]

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Collins is a Michigan homer. The true humor is that they've fallen so far that they are defending the loss and giving props to tOSU.

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Bump to thank ND for keeping this close.

[Troll_Inc]

So here's what's going to happen.

ND doesn't win anymore games.

Michigan loses a devasting game to Wisc, loses to Ohio St and then in the rose bowl, ends with 8 wins.

Illinois then wins out and takes this thread.

[illini43]

Since 7 wins (hopefully 8) will get the Illini into a bowl game, what are the most likely prospects?

I know Insight/Motor City Bowl have been thrown around.

What are the likely scenarios if Illinois finished 7-5, or 8-4?

I'm just wondering because I'm roadtripping with my buddies to the game, so I'm hoping it will be somewhere warm on News Years Eve as opposed to Detroit on the day after Christmas.

[iron81]

Besides the Rose Bowl, here's the Big 10's bowl schedule off Wiki:

* Capital One Bowl: Orlando, Florida (Big Ten #2 pick against SEC #2 pick)
* Outback Bowl: Tampa, Florida (Big Ten #3 pick against SEC #3/4 pick)
* Alamo Bowl: San Antonio, Texas (Big Ten #4/5 pick against Big 12 #4 pick)
* Champs Sports Bowl: Orlando, Florida (Big Ten #4/5 pick against ACC #4 pick)

The Alamo Bowl has the 4th pick in 2007 and 2008, while the Champs Sports Bowl has the 4th pick in 2009.

* Insight Bowl: Tempe, Arizona (Big Ten #6 pick against Big 12 #5 pick)
* Motor City Bowl: Detroit, Michigan (Big Ten #7 pick against MAC)

If they get 8 wins, I don't think you have to worry about the Motor City Bowl. For Illinois, I would guess 9 wins, Capital One Bowl, 8 wins, Alamo Bowl and 7 wins, Insight Bowl.

[TomCollins]

Illinois will likely finish with a 3 way tie for 3rd in the Big 10 with PSU and Purdue.

This should put the Illini in either Florida or San Antonio.

[illini43]

So, if we win one more game would we be guaranteed at least 4th place in the Big Ten (5-3 Penn St. and Wisc. are 4-3 currently we beat them)?

[TomCollins]

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So, if we win one more game would we be guaranteed at least 4th place in the Big Ten (5-3 Penn St. and Wisc. are 4-3 currently we beat them)?

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No, you actually have 3rd place tie locked up with one more win. Everyone else has 3 losses already, so with 3 losses, they can't pass you.