Pregame: Illinois at Nebraska, Friday, September 20th, 7:00pm CT, FOX
- Status
sbillini
- st petersburg, fl
I know it gets clicks and talking head fodder leading up to the season. But i view pre-season rankings as largely useless, and i think it shouldn't exist.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
KFord gives us a 33% chance against Nebraska and a 29% chance against Michigan. Though, I imagine preseason rankings are still factored into that percentage and Michigan has been dropping in KFord after every game they play. So that might look a little different by game day.
For example, KFord had Michigan at 13 and us at 76 in the preseason, giving us just a 13% chance to win. Now, Michigan is 22 and we’re 51 with a 29% chance to win.
Plus, that doesn’t take into account the atmosphere of the 100 year anniversary game; the throwback unis, the sold out crowd, the extra motivation to beat Michigan because it’s Michigan, etc.
I like us in the Michigan game more than the Nebraska game.
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Neb fan here.
Nice to read through this, you guys seem much more level headed than most fan bases haha!
I've always liked Bret, I think he's an excellent coach. You guys will always be solid with him in charge. Excited to see a ranked matchup in Lincoln for the first time in a WHILE
Your WR (Bryant) scares me a bit. We have one NFL corner (#6 Tommi Hill, who did a great job limiting Travis Hunter...he had his catches, but nothing explosive whatsoever) but Bryant is going to be one of his toughest tests. I think Bryant is one of the most underrated skill position players in the B1G. He's a Sunday dude for sure. Our other DBs are good but not great IMO.
Our defense overall is our strength. Going back the last 10 or so contests, we've given up 17+ only twice (24 to Wiscy and 20 to MSU last year). We've given up a total of 20 points so far, 10 to Colorado. The strength of the defense in the d-line. I would argue we one of the best DT combos in the country with #9 Ty Robinson and #0 Nash Hutmacher. Ty will be in the backfield A LOT. He's a monster and he's very fast for his size (6'6" 310). Both DTs could have gone pro last year but decided to come back and help NU get back on track. You will see a lot of pressure up the middle.
Our LB's have been a pleasant surprise this year too. A few young guys have really flashed and a walkon (Bullock) has been lights out for us as has Gbayor.
On offense we're good not great IMO. We have a decent WR core, but have had trouble at times getting separation. This is a TOUGH matchup for us because Illinois is so good in the defensive backfield. #17 (Barney) is fast AF but small. #18 is our next best who's got some speed and some length and #4 is our big possession receiver. Watch out for true frosh Nelson #29, pretty raw but gifted.
Raiola has been really good, his arm talent is ridiculous and he's only turned it over once this year (on a ball that traveled 50 yards in the air where our WR just got beat), but a couple times a game his throws have been a bit off and he hasn't really been under pressure consistently yet. Our OL has been MUCH improved since the Frost days (especially in pass pro), but I would still say we're good not great here. Not having Mazzccua sucks, but his backup was ok last game. Raiola's not crazy mobile, but he's really good at the "side step to avoid the rush". I think he's only ran the ball 2-3 times this year (excluding sacks and a couple broken plays), both for decent gains but it is not something he's going to do often. Some of you probably know, but he's the son of one of the best offensive lineman to ever play at Nebraska (and we used to have a LOT of good ones) and his name is on the stadium (a modern version of a "retired jersey"). You can tell he's had a lot of coaching from some really high level football minds.
Our main RB (Dowdell transfer from Oregon) is very good. He's a big back and will be a challenge to take down and is a lot more explosive than we expected. He'll get 60-70% of the carries. The other two (R. Johnson and E. Johnson...seems like a Blazing Saddles reference) are solid but not game changing. R Johnson is great in pass pro and receiving out of the backfield, he can really hurt teams there, look for him on passing downs. E Johnson isn't as big as Dowdell, but he is pretty shifty and can break one.
Our kicking game is absolutely our Achilles this year. They kind of split kicking into short (Alvano) and long (Hohl...though he has yet to attempt one) and Alvano only hit like 60% last year. Husker fans are pretty convinced this is going to cost us a game at some point. If it comes down to a field goal, nobody in red will be confident.
Anyway, I am expecting a good game against a well coached team. Definitely our toughest challenge yet. Hopefully we'll come out on top, we are 3-0 ATS this year, but Husker fans are riddled with PTSD
Nice to read through this, you guys seem much more level headed than most fan bases haha!
I've always liked Bret, I think he's an excellent coach. You guys will always be solid with him in charge. Excited to see a ranked matchup in Lincoln for the first time in a WHILE
Your WR (Bryant) scares me a bit. We have one NFL corner (#6 Tommi Hill, who did a great job limiting Travis Hunter...he had his catches, but nothing explosive whatsoever) but Bryant is going to be one of his toughest tests. I think Bryant is one of the most underrated skill position players in the B1G. He's a Sunday dude for sure. Our other DBs are good but not great IMO.
Our defense overall is our strength. Going back the last 10 or so contests, we've given up 17+ only twice (24 to Wiscy and 20 to MSU last year). We've given up a total of 20 points so far, 10 to Colorado. The strength of the defense in the d-line. I would argue we one of the best DT combos in the country with #9 Ty Robinson and #0 Nash Hutmacher. Ty will be in the backfield A LOT. He's a monster and he's very fast for his size (6'6" 310). Both DTs could have gone pro last year but decided to come back and help NU get back on track. You will see a lot of pressure up the middle.
Our LB's have been a pleasant surprise this year too. A few young guys have really flashed and a walkon (Bullock) has been lights out for us as has Gbayor.
On offense we're good not great IMO. We have a decent WR core, but have had trouble at times getting separation. This is a TOUGH matchup for us because Illinois is so good in the defensive backfield. #17 (Barney) is fast AF but small. #18 is our next best who's got some speed and some length and #4 is our big possession receiver. Watch out for true frosh Nelson #29, pretty raw but gifted.
Raiola has been really good, his arm talent is ridiculous and he's only turned it over once this year (on a ball that traveled 50 yards in the air where our WR just got beat), but a couple times a game his throws have been a bit off and he hasn't really been under pressure consistently yet. Our OL has been MUCH improved since the Frost days (especially in pass pro), but I would still say we're good not great here. Not having Mazzccua sucks, but his backup was ok last game. Raiola's not crazy mobile, but he's really good at the "side step to avoid the rush". I think he's only ran the ball 2-3 times this year (excluding sacks and a couple broken plays), both for decent gains but it is not something he's going to do often. Some of you probably know, but he's the son of one of the best offensive lineman to ever play at Nebraska (and we used to have a LOT of good ones) and his name is on the stadium (a modern version of a "retired jersey"). You can tell he's had a lot of coaching from some really high level football minds.
Our main RB (Dowdell transfer from Oregon) is very good. He's a big back and will be a challenge to take down and is a lot more explosive than we expected. He'll get 60-70% of the carries. The other two (R. Johnson and E. Johnson...seems like a Blazing Saddles reference) are solid but not game changing. R Johnson is great in pass pro and receiving out of the backfield, he can really hurt teams there, look for him on passing downs. E Johnson isn't as big as Dowdell, but he is pretty shifty and can break one.
Our kicking game is absolutely our Achilles this year. They kind of split kicking into short (Alvano) and long (Hohl...though he has yet to attempt one) and Alvano only hit like 60% last year. Husker fans are pretty convinced this is going to cost us a game at some point. If it comes down to a field goal, nobody in red will be confident.
Anyway, I am expecting a good game against a well coached team. Definitely our toughest challenge yet. Hopefully we'll come out on top, we are 3-0 ATS this year, but Husker fans are riddled with PTSD
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Dang boy, you would give Mel Kiper a run for his money. Thanks for the information. Good luck by the way.Neb fan here.
Nice to read through this, you guys seem much more level headed than most fan bases haha!
I've always liked Bret, I think he's an excellent coach. You guys will always be solid with him in charge. Excited to see a ranked matchup in Lincoln for the first time in a WHILE
Your WR (Bryant) scares me a bit. We have one NFL corner (#6 Tommi Hill, who did a great job limiting Travis Hunter...he had his catches, but nothing explosive whatsoever) but Bryant is going to be one of his toughest tests. I think Bryant is one of the most underrated skill position players in the B1G. He's a Sunday dude for sure. Our other DBs are good but not great IMO.
Our defense overall is our strength. Going back the last 10 or so contests, we've given up 17+ only twice (24 to Wiscy and 20 to MSU last year). We've given up a total of 20 points so far, 10 to Colorado. The strength of the defense in the d-line. I would argue we one of the best DT combos in the country with #9 Ty Robinson and #0 Nash Hutmacher. Ty will be in the backfield A LOT. He's a monster and he's very fast for his size (6'6" 310). Both DTs could have gone pro last year but decided to come back and help NU get back on track. You will see a lot of pressure up the middle.
Our LB's have been a pleasant surprise this year too. A few young guys have really flashed and a walkon (Bullock) has been lights out for us as has Gbayor.
On offense we're good not great IMO. We have a decent WR core, but have had trouble at times getting separation. This is a TOUGH matchup for us because Illinois is so good in the defensive backfield. #17 (Barney) is fast AF but small. #18 is our next best who's got some speed and some length and #4 is our big possession receiver. Watch out for true frosh Nelson #29, pretty raw but gifted.
Raiola has been really good, his arm talent is ridiculous and he's only turned it over once this year (on a ball that traveled 50 yards in the air where our WR just got beat), but a couple times a game his throws have been a bit off and he hasn't really been under pressure consistently yet. Our OL has been MUCH improved since the Frost days (especially in pass pro), but I would still say we're good not great here. Not having Mazzccua sucks, but his backup was ok last game. Raiola's not crazy mobile, but he's really good at the "side step to avoid the rush". I think he's only ran the ball 2-3 times this year (excluding sacks and a couple broken plays), both for decent gains but it is not something he's going to do often. Some of you probably know, but he's the son of one of the best offensive lineman to ever play at Nebraska (and we used to have a LOT of good ones) and his name is on the stadium (a modern version of a "retired jersey"). You can tell he's had a lot of coaching from some really high level football minds.
Our main RB (Dowdell transfer from Oregon) is very good. He's a big back and will be a challenge to take down and is a lot more explosive than we expected. He'll get 60-70% of the carries. The other two (R. Johnson and E. Johnson...seems like a Blazing Saddles reference) are solid but not game changing. R Johnson is great in pass pro and receiving out of the backfield, he can really hurt teams there, look for him on passing downs. E Johnson isn't as big as Dowdell, but he is pretty shifty and can break one.
Our kicking game is absolutely our Achilles this year. They kind of split kicking into short (Alvano) and long (Hohl...though he has yet to attempt one) and Alvano only hit like 60% last year. Husker fans are pretty convinced this is going to cost us a game at some point. If it comes down to a field goal, nobody in red will be confident.
Anyway, I am expecting a good game against a well coached team. Definitely our toughest challenge yet. Hopefully we'll come out on top, we are 3-0 ATS this year, but Husker fans are riddled with PTSD
just watched a Youtube video from a pretty popular channel previewing this game. Hundreds of Husker fans in the comments are certain they beat us by 20+
I agree. The best way to not telegraph where we are running it is to have both backs in there at the same time. As it is, when Feagin is in, the D knows there's a 95% chance we're going straight into the line and when Valentine is in there, there's a 75% chance he'll pick the best hole.
Honestly, with the OL we have, it would be beneficial to have an RPO QB but I'm hoping Luke can pick thier untested D apart with a variety of slants, screeens and other plays we've been holding in the bag.
We run RPOs
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
And when Altmyer gets a lane he is blazingly fast.
Not necessarily the kind of fluid athlete you want scrambling around and improvising, but when running in a straight line defenders do not catch him.
band camp
- STL City
Check out the latest illini inquire podcast. They hit on the RPO quite a bit.
Mr. Tibbs
- southeast DuPage
back to the run game — what we are doing right now ain’t workin’
I think it’s just too obvious to the D . with Feagin in as RB, they are stopping him at the line 3 outta 4 times for little or no gain . it’s time to let Valentine run around the ends and it seems to get us 4-6 yds more times than not .
and yea , run some sets with both guys in . step back in time to when all teams had 2 backs in all the time . Feagin can always catch a screen or get a handoff and run
I think it’s just too obvious to the D . with Feagin in as RB, they are stopping him at the line 3 outta 4 times for little or no gain . it’s time to let Valentine run around the ends and it seems to get us 4-6 yds more times than not .
and yea , run some sets with both guys in . step back in time to when all teams had 2 backs in all the time . Feagin can always catch a screen or get a handoff and run
I feel the game opens up considerably once we demonstrate that Luke can and will run. I'd like us to do that no later than 2nd quarter in every game.
Idk man, picking 7-8 in general is pretty reasonable in my opinion but saying “at least” 7-8 wins is hard for me to buy into.
You have to finish 4-5 to get to 7 wins. On its face, expecting that when we’re 3-0 sounds simple. But, of those 9 games, 4 of those teams (@22NEB, @10PSU, 16UM, @9UO) are currently ranked above you. Let’s say you “expect” to grab one of these (which is bold). You’ve got 3 losses there. You have to go 3-2 against the other 5 to get to 7. Don’t snag one and you can only afford one loss against the rest.
MSU, Rutgers have shown themselves as capable teams this far.
NW, Minnesota, Purdue don’t look good, but when’s the last time we’ve avoided every toe-stubbing opportunity laid in front of us?
I think 7-8 wins is doable (if we’re as good as no-context games make us look), but I don’t think you can treat that as the minimum.
Our OL has been MUCH improved since the Frost days... I am expecting a good game against a well coached team. Definitely our toughest challenge yet. Hopefully we'll come out on top, we are 3-0 ATS this year, but Husker fans are riddled with PTSD
“... Our OL has been MUCH improved since the Frost days...”.
EVERYTHING has been much improved since the Frost days. What a train wreck and dark period in Husker history.
“I am expecting a good game against a well coached team.”
Lyell Bremser would have approved this message. Such a great broadcaster during a great time in Husker history.
As for the PTSD... it’s amazing how fast and deeply the Huskers fell into the depths in the new Century. Husker fans are not used to this and would not have expected it. After some poor hiring choices the last 20 years the Huskers finally brought in the right guy to lead the team. Honestly, I don’t know how long he’ll stay with the Big Red (since he seems to like to move around). But at least he has put the program back on the right track.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
An eternal refrain of all struggling programs.
Too early to call on Rhule. Initial signs promising.
When Luke runs it makes the linebackers freeze and it opens up passing lanes. He’s definitely got speed but he doesn’t have the body to take a ton of hits.
You're not wrong hahaha!
Yeah, I don't know how long he'd stay either. My gut tells me PSU would be the only thing that could drag him out of here (if you believe how he speaks about Lincoln, his wife opened up a business here, etc) but obviously who knows if the really big fish come calling (Mich, tOSU, Bama, Georgia, etc).
I am a HUGE fan though. There's just such a difference in the way he attacks everything. Man seems to have unlimited energy. Hopefully it works out.
Frost seemed like a lock at first too, I'm still in disbelief how epically bad that failed.
Josh Kreutz has got the CoachSpeak down pat.
Don’t think that’s a Nebraska narrative…that’s on the national press. Matt Ruhle is definitely a “one game at a time” type of coach. I think he has respect for the Illinois program. Friday night game stadiums…going to rocking. Should be a good game between two decent teams and two excellent coaches.
He just gives me the "I don't wanna talk I wanna go block somebody" vibes, I love it.Josh Kreutz has got the CoachSpeak down pat.
It seems like there is a really big story behind this epic Frost fail that probably a few (real) insiders know -- but that the rest of us will never find out.
How does he go from being this rising stud Assistant -- and then successful Coach (before he returned to Lincoln to his beloved home State team) and then flame out so badly? And he had plenty of time to turn things around for the Big Red but the program just stalled out in a bad place.
As a human being... you have to feel a bit sorry for him. This has to be personally embarassing for him.
I would think that many Husker fans over time will remember his better days for the Huskers and not emphasize how his coaching gig went.
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