CSNbbs

On the road again, this time to IL a Noy. (I know bad phonetic spelling, but better than hearing Il a NOISE).

I watched some of IL @ UConn and thought wow, UConn really came to play, but IL turned it around big in the first half.

I'm GUESSING but I'd assume we'll be say a 10 - 12 point underdog.

Yesterday was a tough day for EMU and the entire MAC.

The only ray of sunshine (with my "Sunshine Steve" hat on) is that Coastal Carolina beat Kansas, at Kansas (I know Kansas is well...)

My guess is that the key to understanding this stuff is that KY is a much, much better team than we last played them They came to play last night.

That said, I still maintain the difference between last time and this time was Maxx Crosby and his front six helpers. I think it also shows how much players mean. (The OC and DC don't play. It is players like Glass, Crosby, Rachwal, etc. who are out on the field.)

Illinois should be a better test. UConn played them very tough and had a nice lead early in the game before IL came on.

One lingering question from KY: I post point spreads as "Vegas' expert opinion" of the relative merits of the two teams. What I don't like is when one team wants to score very late presumably to 'cover' the spread. Unfortunately, for too many fans there are TWO results for the game, the game itself and also how did the bet come out. Fans want to bet on their team and win their bet and win the game.

This has the potential to get ugly. Some lines are in the 30s (one team favored by 30+ points). So if a game is 38 - 10 and the point spread is say 32, the favorite needs another TD to cover even though the outcome isn't in doubt. This can lead to some ugliness.

Not good for the sport.

Dear Friends,
It is obvious to all Eastern fans that our team has to get better play from our lines if we are to have a chance at winning next Saturday. The offensive line needs to be able to block better if our running backs are going to have a chance to gain yardage. While on that topic of running backs, I was disappointed at Shaq Vann's performance as a receiver. He dropped two passes right in his hands, one that led to a Kentucky interception.
The defensive line needs to be able to put pressure on the opposing quarterback, and stop the opposing running backs. If, that can't be done, then we need to do more blitzing with the linebackers.
I think Kentucky had better players on their lines, and that was obvious.

Ken, I couldn't agree more with your comments!!!!! We simply got dominated on both sides of the ball!!!!! Way too many self inflicted mistakes on offense, and our DL looked awful against A SEC OL!!!!! Vann needs to be benched, he can't run the ball, or catch it!!!! Mackey needs the reps!!!! Illinois won't be easy, Ra'von Bonner is better then any Kentucky RB...…..

[quote='Ken Barna' pid='16287101' dateline='1567955496']
Dear Friends,
It is obvious to all Eastern fans that our team has to get better play from our lines if we are to have a chance at winning next Saturday. The offensive line needs to be able to block better if our running backs are going to have a chance to gain yardage. While on that topic of running backs, I was disappointed at Shaq Vann's performance as a receiver. He dropped two passes right in his hands, one that led to a Kentucky interception.
The defensive line needs to be able to put pressure on the opposing quarterback, and stop the opposing running backs. If, that can't be done, then we need to do more blitzing with the linebackers.
I think Kentucky had better players on their lines, and that was obvious.

100% correct Ken

(09-08-2019 10:11 AM)Ken Barna Wrote: [ -> ]Dear Friends,
It is obvious to all Eastern fans that our team has to get better play from our lines if we are to have a chance at winning next Saturday. The offensive line needs to be able to block better if our running backs are going to have a chance to gain yardage. While on that topic of running backs, I was disappointed at Shaq Vann's performance as a receiver. He dropped two passes right in his hands, one that led to a Kentucky interception.
The defensive line needs to be able to put pressure on the opposing quarterback, and stop the opposing running backs. If, that can't be done, then we need to do more blitzing with the linebackers.
I think Kentucky had better players on their lines, and that was obvious.

After 2 games (1 / 6th of the season), I have to say I'm not surprised by much of anything.

I'm with those who thought QB, WR, RB, and DB are our strongest positions with a lot of returning talent and depth.

Folks here have long been concerned about the OL which has been questionable for a while now. No surprise.

Some have been more optimistic about the DL (actually front six). MAC schools really don't replace a Crosby. Crosbies don't along very often. Add Rachwal and Harris, both 'all-MAC.' Also lost Pickett and LaBarbera.

That is too much to replace in the front six.

I'm not surprised that our pass rush is mediocre.

EMU opened as a 10 1/2 point underdog and now 9 points. Ov/Un is now 54 1/2 points.

So if my math is correct, IL 32 EMU 23 is the general line.

(09-08-2019 01:47 PM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ]EMU opened as a 10 1/2 point underdog and now 9 points. Ov/Un is now 54 1/2 points.

So if my math is correct, IL 32 EMU 23 is the general line.

Odds now:

09/14 12:00 PM
121 Eastern Michigan
122 Illinois
56½u-10
-10½ -10
56½u-10
-8½ -10


We are now an 8 1/2 point underdog. Total points at 56 1/2. The others odds listed are the opening line.

So what comes out to a projected score of IL 32 and EMU 24

WOW early money on the EMUS in the castles in the desert! Isn't our OL supposed to be dominated by the 2nd place SEC east team. lets get some more cash and stay healthy and maybe a win!

Box score from Illinois vs. UConn this past week: https://www.espn.com/college-football/bo...=401112146

UConn went up 13-0 early, and kept it competitive throughout the game. Peters threw a pick-six for Illinois, but looked average/decent otherwise. UConn is still not very good - they only beat a middling FCS team in Wagner by 3 points. They're only one year removed from the worst defense in modern FBS history.

(09-09-2019 10:56 AM)FrankAnderson Wrote: [ -> ]Box score from Illinois vs. UConn this past week: https://www.espn.com/college-football/bo...=401112146

UConn went up 13-0 early, and kept it competitive throughout the game. Peters threw a pick-six for Illinois, but looked average/decent otherwise. UConn is still not very good - they only beat a middling FCS team in Wagner by 3 points. They're only one year removed from the worst defense in modern FBS history.

I want a home and home with UConn.

Keeping an eye on Central Connecticut. They are 2-0. They beat Merrimack and Fordham, both by three points. In my opinion it's important that Eastern blows them out and gets valuable reps for some of the reserves. Assuming, of course, that we play a full competitive game against Illinois.

Go Eagles !!
Take down the Illini ...

(09-09-2019 04:52 PM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ]https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...264969001/

Nice article by Goricki.

We are not playing with house money totally this weekend. This is not a competent SEC team that beat Penn St in a bowl, it is a Big Ten doormat that a win over will reverberate similar to one over Rutgers. A loss, however, on the road to a Illinois won't hurt much as long as we keep the game competitive.

I like this game, Lovie Smith reminds me of Ray Scott as a coach, a marquee hire who really does not realize how much hard work you have to do as a college coach. There is no other Big Ten team I would rather play at this point. Good scheduling in my opinion.

I just want to point out this weekend's contest for what it truly is.

Specificaly, which coach has the whitest beard, Chris Creighton or Lovie Smith.

(09-10-2019 08:36 AM)Block_E Wrote: [ -> ]I just want to point out this weekend's contest for what it truly is.

Specificaly, which coach has the whitest beard, Chris Creighton or Lovie Smith.

Loser has to shave?

Definitely a winnable game.

49 rush yards (35 from Glass) at 2.2 ypc not gonna get it done. Seems as much a scheme issue as a talent issue. Need to get more creative in the run game.

So I like this Illinois team more than anyone outside of Champagne. I think they're a bowl team and that Lovie is doing a bang up job recruiting. They can run and we seem to not be able to stop the run.