Very, very low bar.So thankful we are not on this list.View attachment 35837
Very, very low bar.So thankful we are not on this list.View attachment 35837
2017 was a long time ago. I’m not saying we should sell out every game, but our fans are slower to jump on the bandwagon when things go well than Purdue fans. We should have had a sellout in 2022 when we were sitting at 7-1.Since 2017:
Purdue 40-43 (.492)
Illinois 32-50 (.392)
The Brohm era missed only one bowl by not qualifying. There are always exceptions to the rule, that said: Winning brings attendance, not the other way around.
Crazy to see 3 historically strong programs (Auburn, Florida, Nebraska) leading that list.So thankful we are not on this list.View attachment 35837
I think our history plays into that somewhat. Fool me once.....2017 was a long time ago. I’m not saying we should sell out every game, but our fans are slower to jump on the bandwagon when things go well than Purdue fans. We should have had a sellout in 2022 when we were sitting at 7-1.
Again, I am not disagreeing. We have had it about as rough as any fan base out there. However, it has been my experience that (reading social media comments, watching the attendance trends and talking to Illini fans in real life) we have let our football utility make a portion of our fan base uniquely negative even when things aren't that bad, and this makes our rebound in attendance difficult. It's just unfortunate, is all. If we start out the year with a decent record and upset someone like Kansas or Nebraska, Michigan should sell out!!I think our history plays into that somewhat. Fool me once.....
I thought O'Donnell was amazing in this role. Looking forward to listening to these 2. I hope they keep the format the same. I loved the walkthrough they did every week.
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Former Illini Captains Carey Davis, Kevin Mitchell Named Radio Analysts - University of Illinois Athletics
Davis and Mitchell will split the games throughout the 2024 regular season.fightingillini.com
This list is currently active streaks for those who blinked twice at it like I did.So thankful we are not on this list.View attachment 35837
This list is currently active streaks for those who blinked twice at it like I did.
Illinois has had several streaks that would have made this list, sadly.
To not piss off the season ticket holders and others who have bought 3 game packages.And also for not lowering tickets considerably to seats in the lower bowl of the East side for a majority of the games?
I’m on the more optimistic side to be sure (2021 and 2022 were an astonishing breath of fresh air compared to Lovie), and I definitely think people are being way too pessimistic regarding the new Big Ten and what it means to us.I understand using past history as a guide to future success but it is really meaningless. If we are saying Bret will not be able to do any more than our past several coaches then yes our history would be a guide. If we believe Bret is a difference maker for us then our past history is meaningless. I choose the later. 8 plus wins.
Let's hope he learned a little from watching Paddock. Paddock wasn't a world beater but he succeeded despite the limitations of the offense.A good deep dive of what should be obvious to everyone: Altmeyer was an average B1G QB in only his first year as a starter with 2 more to go. We haven't had even that much very often recently. I would hope and expect that we see significant improvement with more experience/reps.
Good article. Love that the OL issues were emphasized, it's almost impossible to succeed as a first year starting QB with how poor the OL play was. I know that a lot of people like Bart Miller, but if he can't get the line performing this year, we might need to consider going a different direction, given that a solid OL is the most realistic way we can get to 6 wins most yearsA good deep dive of what should be obvious to everyone: Altmeyer was an average B1G QB in only his first year as a starter with 2 more to go. We haven't had even that much very often recently. I would hope and expect that we see significant improvement with more experience/reps.
However, last year’s massive disappointment really has justifiably zapped some of the enthusiasm for fans. We should have held on for wins vs. Iowa and Northwestern for 7 wins and a bowl. If we’d shown up vs. Purdue or Nebraska (based on how they both played in other games), we’d have been talking NINE wins. Imagine what momentum would feel like if we had accomplished that!
The first road game of the season thing...it's just became impossible for me to not buy into it at this point. Maybe I'll shift my views if proven otherwise at NEB this coming year but that game year after year after year has just been...I was listening to a Big 12 Podcast preview paying particular attention to Kansas. Kansas '24 sounds a lot like Illinois '23. New coordinators, lots of questions for key positions. I say this, because I was thinking the same way as you are. We had a tale of two season halves last year. First part was embarrassing, the team seemed lost and played poorly. Second half of the season was 3-3 with all 6 games being within 4 points.
I am optimistic until proven otherwise. I see a real possibility of Illinois starting 4-0 heading to Penn State.?
All I know for certain is we’ll be 5-6 heading into the northwestern game.The first road game of the season thing...it's just became impossible for me to not buy into it at this point. Maybe I'll shift my views if proven otherwise at NEB this coming year but that game year after year after year has just been...
inexplicably so awful...in so many different ways - blowouts, chokes, etc...seems like a curse at this point.
Prediction wise right now - I'll go 3-1 - I think KU is a W.