Last week we had to deal with “Ski-U-Mah.”
This week it’s “Os-kee-Wow-Wow.”
Apparently, unlike Ohio, marijuana initiatives did pass in the Big
Ten West.
Champaign-Urbana in November sounds like an inhospitable
place. Although I haven’t been there, I’ve been close, and my memory is
that it is flat, windy, and about 10 degrees colder than the thermometer says.
Not bad enough that you’ll need one of these, but
still mighty chilly. And yet, despite these drawbacks, the Buckeyes love
to play at Memorial Stadium.
Ohio State has won 10 consecutive games at
Illinois. The Illini’s last 6 wins in the series have all come in
Columbus (but sometimes losing
a shoe is not the same as losing in the Shoe). Their last win at home
was 1991, a true B1G contest that ended 10-7. (Further nostalgia: OSU
featured QB Kent Graham, RBs Carlos Snow & Butler By’not’e, while Illinois
had coach John Mackovic, QB John Verduzco, and RB Kameno Bell). Those of
us who are “older” remember the headaches Illinois and HC Mike White caused in
the 1980s, but I was surprised to find out that Earle Bruce was 7-2 against
them. It was John Cooper (aka G—D---- Cooper) who was only 8-6 v.
Illinois (so it wasn’t only scUM that he could not defeat). The Senator
was 5-2 against the Illini but many of the games were too close for
comfort.
Urban Meyer so far is 3 for 3 with an average score of
56-24. But that was against Tim Beckman who isn’t coaching anymore simply
because he “employed
a wide array of motivational tactics that violated sports medicine standards
and protocols.” So, he (allegedly) called kids with concussions too
“scared” to play and (allegedly) threatened to remove your scholarship if you
went to a trainer for evaluation and treatment. So, he (allegedly) physically
and (allegedly) verbally abused players. Is that too high a price to pay
for going 12-25 overall and 4-20 in the Big Ten in return? Where are your
priorities Illinois? #sarcasm
Anyway, former Western Michigan HC Bill Cubit has taken over
and the result is that the Illinois defense has dramatically improved.
The Illini have improved 70 or more places in the rankings for Rushing defense,
Total defense, Scoring defense, 3rd down defense, 1st
downs allowed, Pass efficiency defense, and interceptions. Yes, you read
that right – over 70 places. They have gone from giving up 456
yards/game to 342, and giving up 34 ppg to 21.7. Their
offense? Not so much. Illinois is 98th in
Rushing Offense, 108th in Pass Efficiency Offense, 97th
in 3rd down conversions, and 123rd in net
punting. Their defense has to be good because the offense goes
nowhere and the punter gives the opposition good field position.
Meanwhile, the Silver Bullets have moved up to 12th against the
rush, and 9th in Pass efficiency defense. So, J.T. and the
offense should get the ball often and Jalin Marshall’s returns should put the
ball near midfield or better.
If Cardale was at the helm, then it would be Minnesota, part
2. While I like Cardale, clearly he’s not the same guy as he was
last December/January. J.T. will be back and as good as Illinois’ defense
is, you can run on them. Iowa went off for 278, North Carolina for 254,
and Nebraska for 187. What’s more is Illinois has yet to face a QB
that can run like Barrett. Only UNC was close and their QB rushed only 9
times but for 106 yards. Every other QB Illinois has faced has been
more of a pocket passer. Barrett carrying 18 or more times on
Saturday will be an eye opener for them.
Since a huge upset in November 2007 (I can’t recall who they
beat) Illinois is 1-20 v. ranked teams. They are 1-4 S/U as a dog in 2015
and 2-3 ATS. The line opened at 17 but is now down to 16. I
don’t know why. Maybe it is the speculation about whether Barrett will
start. If Jones was starting, I’d take the points. But I fully expect
J.T. to play the entire 60 minutes and he and Zeke will run wild, much like Braxton and Carlos
did. Our defense should shut down the offense similar to what
PSU did to Illinois (27 rushes for 37 yards, and 17-44-130 yards
passing). I don’t even care what the weather will be like. Give the
points and bet the over of 55.
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