Obviously I want all the wins, but man I would be pretty stoked to end the season 8-4 with a bowl game. I want the program to build momentum, pack the stadium, and be in the top half of the conference while we do it.
Illini Football 2024
I want to expand on this.
Those of you that aren't fans of Friday night college football, this is not good. Fox executives had to be doing cartwheels, backslaps and breaking out the brewskis when these numbers came in. To beat all other sports programing (Fox Friday) for the past year besides the Worlds Series and the third most watch college football game of the weekend is incredible. The viewers are there for a good Friday night college game.
The great news is Illinois was a part of it. That monster contract the B1G got has to be recouped. Expanding college football to Friday nights is here to stay. If I'm Illinois I'm telling the B1G we support one high quality Friday night game every year. If I'm the B1G, I'm finding a way to tell Nebraska, and any other B1G's, they don't have to play Friday's, but we'll be cutting your B1G take home pay by 5% (or X%) annually.
There really aren't *that* many people that watch HS Football. The younger generations are really into betting and they aren't going to do that on HS games. One game a year isn't a big sacrifice for the money each team wants. For me I watch both HS and college and last Friday I was able to watch both. One game on NFHS and Illinois on Fox. This week is a HS home game so I'll be going there then catching the 2nd half or so of Washington/Rutgers, which I'm really looking forward to watching. There are a lot of B1G teams that I want to watch live but I can't fit them all in on Saturday, so, Friday is perfect. I'm not alone based on 4.21M viewers.
College athletics is now a race for the dollar and this is at least one way that helps the B1G to differentiate itself financially from the SEC. I'm already looking forward to week 8 and watching PU get their !!! beat by Oregon .
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
They nearly doubled the tv audience of the Iowa/Minnesota game. That has to be driving NBC crazy.
Dan
Admin
Aaron Henry Nominated for Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award - University of Illinois Athletics
Henry coached the Fighting Illini to an upset win at Nebraska on Friday shortly after the passing of his sister.
fightingillini.com
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
And he's doing it with a heavy heart. Could not have more respect for him for the job he's doing.
Aaron Henry Nominated for Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award - University of Illinois Athletics
Henry coached the Fighting Illini to an upset win at Nebraska on Friday shortly after the passing of his sister.
Illinicpa14
- Chicago
Early in the year I also think it’s a lot more intriguing to watch because more teams still have hope of CFP, 10 win season, etc.I want to expand on this.
Those of you that aren't fans of Friday night college football, this is not good. Fox executives had to be doing cartwheels, backslaps and breaking out the brewskis when these numbers came in. To beat all other sports programing (Fox Friday) for the past year besides the Worlds Series and the third most watch college football game of the weekend is incredible. The viewers are there for a good Friday night college game.
The great news is Illinois was a part of it. That monster contract the B1G got has to be recouped. Expanding college football to Friday nights is here to stay. If I'm Illinois I'm telling the B1G we support one high quality Friday night game every year. If I'm the B1G, I'm finding a way to tell Nebraska, and any other B1G's, they don't have to play Friday's, but we'll be cutting your B1G take home pay by 5% (or X%) annually.
There really aren't *that* many people that watch HS Football. The younger generations are really into betting and they aren't going to do that on HS games. One game a year isn't a big sacrifice for the money each team wants. For me I watch both HS and college and last Friday I was able to watch both. One game on NFHS and Illinois on Fox. This week is a HS home game so I'll be going there then catching the 2nd half or so of Washington/Rutgers, which I'm really looking forward to watching. There are a lot of B1G teams that I want to watch live but I can't fit them all in on Saturday, so, Friday is perfect. I'm not alone based on 4.21M viewers.
College athletics is now a race for the dollar and this is at least one way that helps the B1G to differentiate itself financially from the SEC. I'm already looking forward to week 8 and watching PU get their !!! beat by Oregon .
In week 10 - both those teams may be ranked at 7-3; it’s the same quality game but to a casual fan you don’t really care because there’s no larger potential outcome (like seeing is Nebraska back, is Illinois a darkhorse, etc.).
Joel Goodson
- dawgville
eh, mebbe this should be in the NFL thread, @Dan
I agree with your entire premise except for this. There are over a million kids playing high school football every year, and the parents of the kids we're recruiting will nearly always choose to watch their kid instead of the college game on TV. The high school coaches also might miss some games on TV since they have their priorities. However, I love Friday night college games and agree that it's a great market to pursue. Fortunately, we can do what I did last week which was start watching the Illini game when I got home at 10pm and fast forward through the commercials.
illinidarrin
- from parts unknown
IlliniRocketFan
- Rochester, IL
Don't know if this has been posted, but it is a good breakdown of the Illini since the Zook era up to now.
foby
- Bonnaroo Land
That at least triples if we find a way to win Saturday.
Joel Goodson
- dawgville
I couldn’t have said it better.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
Amazing that IU has a 26% chance!
Joel Goodson
- dawgville
Joel Goodson
- dawgville
4 games in to this season and he's already only 200 yards and 1 TD away from his TOTALS from last year. Talk about a player developing!