(10-16-2017 09:02 AM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(10-15-2017 01:10 PM)Love and Honor Wrote:  Iowa State is better than usual, but KU losing to them 45-0 is still pretty bad. That game against Baylor will be one for the ages...

Speaking of 2007, how far has Illinois fallen since the Rose Bowl? You seriously just lost to Rutgers at home?

Terrible. Just terrible. Granted, this is effectively year 1 for Lovie Smith (as he was hired so late before last season that this is the first year that he actually has any of his own recruits), but it's *really* rough to watch. The optimist would say that all of the freshmen playing this year (they've already blown through the record of most starts by freshmen in Illinois history by a wide margin and we're only halfway through the season) will pay off dividends in 2 years. Note that the previous Beckman/Cubit regime was heavily reliant on JUCO transfers that are now all gone, so they really left the talent cupboard bare even compared to other weak programs. The pessimist would say that schools like Purdue and Indiana were even worse off before but have turned around quicker with a lot more immediate signs of life. I'll be surprised if we win another game all season. We're essentially playing for 2019 (much less 2018).

I watched the game Saturday as well and saying it was rough is being kind.

Most think Rutgers is getting better but isn't quite there yet. The Illini made them looks good on Saturday, not an easy feet.

On the positive, they're loaded with young players who are getting valuable experience. I don't think anyone has ever questioned Lovie's coaching ability, he's a good coach. It's just a wait and see as to whether he can recruit and develop young talent. Realistically, he'll need at least 2 more years to see what he can do with HIS players.