Illinois VS. Cincy

TOOTIGHT · Nov 23, 2009

Just wanted to get some conversation going on this game. I see it being a blowout. The Illini can play spoiler but Cincy can better their case for the BCS and on top of that, this is a huge coaching mismatch. This is the best offensive team the Illini have faced all season and their troubled defense will get torched by Tony Pike and Co. The defense has improved a little over the year but not nearly enough to slow down a legit offense. On the flip side, the Illinois offense can't do much of anything. They couldn't even break 20 points against NW, at home, and it was a must win game! They have packed it in and it's pretty obvious their covers against Michigan and Minny aren't looking like anything to be proud of. As long as Cincy shows up, they win by 3 td's.

Got it Cincy -17.5 and the line is on the move...

msmith2179 · Nov 23, 2009

I like the play but they have a big showdown with Pitt the following week. So I'll lay off. Good luck to you

kingebeneezer · Nov 24, 2009

I think it will depend on whether or not the Juice has the game of his life. Remember when they went into Columbus and knocked off Ohio State in 2007? Juice had the game of his life it seemed. Yes, Illinois offense isn't real good at all, but cincy has a little trouble against teams that can run the ball efficiently. I'm not saying Illinois is going to win the game by any means, just something to think about.

Best of luck to you!

TOOTIGHT · Nov 24, 2009

With Leshore running the ball better for them and Juice starting, I'm a little concerned with Cincy's run defense but good teams know how to stack up against the run and make Juice throw. If he has a good game it could spell trouble but the Illini find ways to not cover against good teams. Hopefully Cincy gets out to a fast start and the Illini have to abandon the run.

JinnRikki · Nov 24, 2009

I think Illinois will look at this as their bowl game. Illinois just never lived
up to expectations, and they were high, there must be talent in this team
somewhere.
As pointed out above Cincinnati has a huge game against Pittsburgh
ahead possibly for the Big East championship.
If the Cats look ahead and Juice and company can put together one of
there best games this year I see Illinois coming inside the number. I won't
call for the upset but stranger things happen every week.

TOOTIGHT · Nov 24, 2009

JinnRikki said:
I think Illinois will look at this as their bowl game. Illinois just never lived
up to expectations, and they were high, there must be talent in this team
somewhere.
As pointed out above Cincinnati has a huge game against Pittsburgh
ahead possibly for the Big East championship.
If the Cats look ahead and Juice and company can put together one of
there best games this year I see Illinois coming inside the number. I won't
call for the upset but stranger things happen every week.

Great point and your right when you say strange things happen every week, especially in the last week of the season. Illinois has talent everywhere and with a better coach, they could easily have had a winning season. That's just why it's mind boggling watching them squander every game. There is absolutely no reason their offense can't score over 30/ game but one bad penalty and it's a 3 and out, good drive then they turn it over, get in the red zone and miss a fg. This team consistantly shoots themselves in the foot and that's why I love fading them. Not a big play for me but the odds are in your favor every week going against this team.

FloridaGatorFan · Nov 24, 2009

I'm from Peoria, IL and am an Illini fan. Granted Illinois has not lived up to expectations at all and are pretty pathetic, but I think Illinois will cover. I have been looking at this game for a couple weeks now and was thinking it was gonna open at 20, but instead at 18. It is now up to 20. I'm gonna give it till thursday and hopefully it hops up to 21 or 21.5 and im gonna be on Illinois. Tony Pike hasn't played in over a month, besides his 4 passes against West Virginia. Illinois has talent on both sides of the ball, its their coaching that is dissapionting more than anything. Just my opionin.

PlacinUnits · Nov 24, 2009

According to Coach Kelly, this game is for the national championship and next week is for the big east title. He knows how to motivate, that is for sure.

JinnRikki · Nov 24, 2009

TOOTIGHT said:
Great point and your right when you say strange things happen every week, especially in the last week of the season. Illinois has talent everywhere and with a better coach, they could easily have had a winning season. That's just why it's mind boggling watching them squander every game. There is absolutely no reason their offense can't score over 30/ game but one bad penalty and it's a 3 and out, good drive then they turn it over, get in the red zone and miss a fg. This team consistantly shoots themselves in the foot and that's why I love fading them. Not a big play for me but the odds are in your favor every week going against this team.

I agree and have also made some change fading the Illini. They were on a
bit of a role winning their last 2 of 3 before running into an even hotter
Northwestern team (who, IMHO, should not be underestimated in a bowl)
so I don't think they've quit at all, just the contrary.