My honest prediction is 34-17 Illinois. Hope to goodness I'm wrong, but...I have a bad feeling,
Illinois 24
Indiana 23
In a game that seems very even the edge could go to Illinois since they've had a week to iron out some wrinkles.
Illinois could’ve scored 50+ and Chase Brown could’ve had 300+ yards rushing vs Wyoming had “that d-bag” chose to “run it up.”
Bielema ran the offense, never blitzed and had the third stringers in by the end of the 3rd quarter last week.
Are you still butthurt about something he did nearly 20 years ago?!?
Agree about the D.The D is made up of solid veterans so I don't see UI running it up! Lets hope Shivers and the WR corp is better than what we had last year....I'm putting this on O-line play and QB performance.
I think both teams will prove to be too inept on both sides of the line for this to be a high-scoring game.Illinois 24
Indiana 27
Go Hoosiers!
Well put.PSYCH! In the last five years Illinois was 19-38...playing in the Big Ten WEST. During that same period Indiana was 26-31.
Orange and blue is ugly, Illinois corn is trash, and Lincoln lived in Indiana first. Hoosiers all d--n day!
Real Block I - 27
Fake Block I - 24
Yes, this game is transfixed on what Walt B. devises for and adjusts to the Illinois defense.Agree about the D.
It’s cliche, but it’s all about QB & OL play. The WR & RBs last year weren’t world beaters but they were serviceable enough to win games. But QB and OL play was just bad across the board. Let’s just cross fingers that it was an OC issue more than talent. And I do actually believe that to be the case because I thought Sheridan’s home run swing offense was bad in 2020. Make no mistake, it scored a lot of points. But deep shots and 50/50 passes are no way to win a ballgame. Too much feast/famine. If Bell can put together a minimally competent offense we’ll be fine.
My experience is what you have one year might not happen the next. Not only personnel changes occur but other Teams learn how to make adjustments and expose weaknesses.My only prediction is that those of you that believe IU is going to score 27 plus points off the Illinois defense have no idea how strong our defense is. This is not the same Illinois program you guys saw the last time we played you. Much more disciplined and organized, with a coordinator that knows how to scheme, and players that have bought into it.
What I think I know:My only prediction is that those of you that believe IU is going to score 27 plus points off the Illinois defense have no idea how strong our defense is. This is not the same Illinois program you guys saw the last time we played you. Much more disciplined and organized, with a coordinator that knows how to scheme, and players that have bought into it.
Keep up the work and I hope it leads to a Hoosier win like in the past except for last season with coaches that aren't here anymore.41-14 illinois
Those IU teams had far less talent than Wisconsin.Bielema’s never lost to Indiana (and except for a 31-28 heartbreaker, the games haven’t been close). I can’t expect that to change.
ILL 35, IND 6.
I get that. But Bielema coached a Lovie Smith-recruited team to two more B1G wins than 2020, and beat two teams who we lost to a year ago (PSU and MINN).Those IU teams had far less talent than Wisconsin.
If we lose to Illinois by 29, Bret Bielema isn't the problem.
This is a complete doomsday scenario.Bielema’s never lost to Indiana (and except for a 31-28 heartbreaker, the games haven’t been close). I can’t expect that to change.
ILL 35, IND 6.
No, they probably aren't, but I'm thinking a defensive score or short field might make it more lopsided than it really is.This is a complete doomsday scenario.
I still have a sour taste in my mouth from last year but Illinois is not 4 TD's better than IU.
Bell went to Wellman and asked for a lighter O line. We’ll see if it makes a difference.IU 27-UI 24. IU will need a turnover to win. I think with going back to the 2020 defense(zone) they will get pressure from zone blitzes all day. Can the Offense run the ball? IU has quickness and depth at the safety spots. On the other side can IU O-line keep up with an uptempo offense?
Yeah I been hearing about the O-Line losing weight and getting in better shape.Bell went to Wellman and asked for a lighter O line. We’ll see if it makes a difference.
I knew expectations last year were totally out of proportion, but the Iowa game was such a splash of cold water.Bielima took every Wisconsin team that he coached to a bowl game. Every prediction post here sees the Hoosiers as an improved team this year but at the same time most see Illinois as essentially the same team as last year.
I have eagerly been looking forward to this game since halftime of the Iowa game.
It’s worse than that. I’m also a Bears fan.When your avatar is a Cubs emblem, you know that you’ve endured a life of being beat up, worn down and spit out. Combine that with IU sports (football and basketball) and…..well….you damn near may be on suicide watch. That’s a brutal combination right there, folks!
What a destiny.It’s worse than that. I’m also a Bears fan.
Although the only Super Bowl they ever won I was right on campus. And I had to attend an IU Sing meeting that night (representing Willkie). Who schedules an IU Sing meeting on Super Bowl Sunday??!!
And in a driving snowstorm to boot.
The first few minutes of the iowa game have to rank up there with some of the worst performances relative to hype in sports. Couldn't believe it. Only thing else I remember that bad was when the broncos were in the super bowl with manning and they hiked the first snap over his head for a safety. Both teams just totally unprepared to play.I knew expectations last year were totally out of proportion, but the Iowa game was such a splash of cold water.