Bowl Projections

#51      
Illini2010-11
IlliniFaninHoosierLand said:
With where the program is at at this point, I'd feel better with the team being in a bowl game (meaningless or not) than potentially getting boat raced in a playoff game.
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Put it this way, if the team is in position to make the playoff this year, they would need to be at least 10-2. If that were the case, I would expect the team to be competitive in a first round playoff game.

Of course, I don't think the playoff is a realistic option this year at all, but I would always rather be a huge underdog in a meaningful game than seeing our best opt out of a bowl game.
 
#52      
DeonThomas
IlliniFaninHoosierLand said:
With where the program is at at this point, I'd feel better with the team being in a bowl game (meaningless or not) than potentially getting boat raced in a playoff game.
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So you don't want to be nationally recognized as one of the 12 premiere teams in the nation. BTW, such status would probably translate to having our very own December time slot and being the only NCAA football game on television (during that particular time slot). The Fighting Illini of Illinois vs The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, for example. 4-star and 5-star recruits/athletes would be frequently visiting Champaign.

Sorry, but you're delusional!
 
#53      
IlliniFaninHoosierLand
DeonThomas said:
So you don't want to be nationally recognized as one of the 12 premiere teams in the nation. BTW, such status would probably translate to having our very own December time slot and being the only NCAA football game on television (during that particular time slot). The Fighting Illini of Illinois vs The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, for example. 4-star and 5-star recruits/athletes would be frequently visiting Champaign.

Sorry, but you're delusional!
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This isn't about them being recognized as one of the 12 premier teams in the nation. I would be absolutely thrilled at the prospect of them playing in the playoff and would absolutely support them. That being said, the program is not in a position where they can compete with any of the top teams that would be in the playoff field. They'd be lucky to score double digits against one of the powerhouse SEC schools like Alabama or Tennessee or Georgia. I'd much rather them be at or near the level of one of those programs year after year than be a squad like Cincinnati that makes a one-off appearance in a playoff and you don't really hear from again.

Illini2010-11 said:
Put it this way, if the team is in position to make the playoff this year, they would need to be at least 10-2. If that were the case, I would expect the team to be competitive in a first round playoff game.

Of course, I don't think the playoff is a realistic option this year at all, but I would always rather be a huge underdog in a meaningful game than seeing our best opt out of a bowl game.
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This was the CFP projection from USA Today on Monday:
  1. Texas*
  2. Oregon*
  3. Miami*
  4. Iowa State*
  5. Penn State
  6. Georgia
  7. Ohio State
  8. Alabama
  9. LSU
  10. Clemson
  11. Tennessee
  12. Boise State
Out of all the teams on that list, I can see this program being competitive with 2, maybe 3 squads in a first round CFP playoff game. And while I get people's angst about players opting out of bowl games, these players also have to think about their futures once their college career is over and for some of them, if they're considered a high enough draft prospect, they'll decide that they need to start preparing for the next chapter in their life. I'm fully on board as I'd never be against wanting to keep someone to further their own career prospects.
 
#54      
Illini2010-11
IlliniFaninHoosierLand said:
This isn't about them being recognized as one of the 12 premier teams in the nation. I would be absolutely thrilled at the prospect of them playing in the playoff and would absolutely support them. That being said, the program is not in a position where they can compete with any of the top teams that would be in the playoff field. They'd be lucky to score double digits against one of the powerhouse SEC schools like Alabama or Tennessee or Georgia. I'd much rather them be at or near the level of one of those programs year after year than be a squad like Cincinnati that makes a one-off appearance in a playoff and you don't really hear from again.



This was the CFP projection from USA Today on Monday:
  1. Texas*
  2. Oregon*
  3. Miami*
  4. Iowa State*
  5. Penn State
  6. Georgia
  7. Ohio State
  8. Alabama
  9. LSU
  10. Clemson
  11. Tennessee
  12. Boise State
Out of all the teams on that list, I can see this program being competitive with 2, maybe 3 squads in a first round CFP playoff game. And while I get people's angst about players opting out of bowl games, these players also have to think about their futures once their college career is over and for some of them, if they're considered a high enough draft prospect, they'll decide that they need to start preparing for the next chapter in their life. I'm fully on board as I'd never be against wanting to keep someone to further their own career prospects.
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And how do you get to that level you want? Playing in mid to low-tier bowl games where fewer national audience will watch? That is silly. The general argument is almost on the level of wishing the Illini had lost in the S16 to Iowa State in a very tight game, as it would be better than getting blown out against a superior opponent in the E8. The national exposure of a playoff appearance would be program altering (in a good way), regardless of what happens in the game(s). Recruits want to compete for championships and get to the next level. Showing you can make the playoff is a start.

Now, the way the team is currently constructed and performing, I see no logical way that the Illini get the record needed to make the playoff. I really believe it is going to require beating Oregon in Eugene to even be in playoff consideration (and then handle business the rest of the way). That is tremendously unlikely (<1% probability), but If that happens, then I see no reason why Illinois cannot compete with any of the teams listed, as Oregon is among the top tier right now.
 
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#55      
Fighter of the Nightman
Illini2010-11 said:
Kobe Bryant What GIF


I would rather have the slimmest chance of winning a championship than a glorified exhibition game where there will be opt outs...but that is just me.
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Yep. I'll admit this is very much apples to oranges, but I would not have traded the chance to get demolished by UConn on the stage that is the Elite Eight for anything!

(Well ... except beating them or getting to avoid them and make the Final Four, lol...)
 
#58      
bleedorange and blue
Illini2010-11 said:
And how do you get to that level you want? Playing in mid to low-tier bowl games where fewer national audience will watch? That is silly. The general argument is almost on the level of wishing the Illini had lost in the S16 to Iowa State in a very tight game, as it would be better than getting blown out against a superior opponent in the E8. The national exposure of a playoff appearance would be program altering (in a good way), regardless of what happens in the game(s). Recruits want to compete for championships and get to the next level. Showing you can make the playoff is a start.

Now, the way the team is currently constructed and performing, I see no logical way that the Illini get the record needed to make the playoff. I really believe it is going to require beating Oregon in Eugene to even be in playoff consideration (and then handle business the rest of the way). That is tremendously unlikely (<1% probability), but If that happens, then I see no reason why Illinois cannot compete with any of the teams listed, as Oregon is among the top tier right now.
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All they need to do is win out,simple enough 🙄
 
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