Michigan Recap

The Michigan game was a must win for the Illini. The went into the Big Shithouse and got it done. Juice played with the up most poise, and our playmakers/ skill position guys got it done. Most importantly the team didn't panic when they went down 11 in Q1. This game reminded me in a lot of ways of the 01 Purdue game. I think it shows that some of our team leaders are stepping up and embracing their roles. I have said all along that Illinois was the better than their record indicated. Now we need to play hard, avoid a let down with two inferior opponents from a talent perspective.

6 Good Things...

• Seeing a half empty Big House with time left on the clock.
• No turnovers
• The Illini players and coaching staff not panicking when we went down 14-3.
• O Line blowing up the Michigan D line in the 2nd half.
• Cumberland down the field in space is never a bad thing.
• Executing the offensive gameplan to our strengths. Locks called a good game, I especially liked his interview after the game where he is a dead ringer visually and vocally for Tone Loc. Hasta la vista Babbbyyyy.....

5 Bad Things.....

• Dere and Vontae need to live up to their reps. For all the crap Martez took, those two need to step up just as much if not more
• Continued struggles in the first half in the kick return game in the first half. You cant give up that kind of field position.
• Down the field blocking, holding and blocks in the back are negating too many positive plays
• Minor point but, lets get the TO first, before you try to scoop and score
• When are our DB's going to pick off a pass?

5 Big Ten Thoughts....

• WTF was Ferentz thinking on that 4th down call? Ferentz made some real boneheaded coaching calls in the MSU game
• Bret Bielema once again showing he is the second coming of Lou Tepper circa 1994
• Eric Decker of Minnesota is the type of receiver every team wished they had
• I like Michigan State, but Dantonio has away of letting inferior teams hang around til the end that will come back to bite him in the ass
• Isn't the Trib's Teddy Greenstein a little early in writing mouth breathing school girl in spring comparison articles between NU's 95 team and the overrated 08 team.