We've won 1 Big Ten game in 2 years. It's pretty easy to be negative.

 

 

We have fans of other programs on the previous page saying the same things as me. It's just how we are looked at, for good reason. It's not really negativity though. It's just realistic.

it's gotten to the point where there are fans (even in this thread) that are ok with not ever being at the top level of the conference.

it's gotten to the point where there are fans (even in this thread) that are ok with not ever being at the top level of the conference.

 

You're right. One coaching hire and two years can put Illinois right there at the top of the Big Ten. I absolutely want to be at the top, but firing a coach every 2 years is exactly how you ensure that you never reach it.

 

 

We've won 1 Big Ten game in 2 years. It's pretty easy to be negative.

 

 

We have fans of other programs on the previous page saying the same things as me. It's just how we are looked at, for good reason. It's not really negativity though. It's just realistic.

That's not really the point. The next time you post something positive it will be the first time. Deep down, you are praying they don't get 6 wins, because you won't be able to easily trot out your fire beckman posts all the time.

 

It's just so much easier, in any sport and with any team, to be the "fire the manager! trade these guys!" guy than it is to be constructive and hope for positivity. It's an easier path to take.

 

And then on the other side, we have Illini fans who can't see that holding on to someone for too long puts your program in an even bigger hole. The Illinois football program has been that way for the last 25 years. Every time there are some gains, they take a huge leap backwards because they hire the wrong guy and stick with him way too long. From Tepper to Turner to Zook. Illinois fans, for some strange reason, have amnesia about that and pretend that THIS time is going to be different.

 

I'm in the middle here. I think it takes a few seasons to dig a program out of the mud. It takes time to get the players you want. It takes time to change the culture. But you don't get 4-5 years, you get three to show real improvement. So far, only the offense has improved. This upcoming season will be a telling one. Maybe they go bowling and Beckman and Co. can continue to nab some of these good, not great, players. If they suck next year, he better be gone.

And on the other side, we have guys who still want Zook around...

 

I'm not for hanging on to guys for kicks, but I'm for giving guys a shot to turn things around. Weber and Zook were both there too long. 2 years for Beckman with where the program was, clearly isn't enough. Completely unfair to expect that, and that's been my argument for a long time. I don't really know what people's expectations were going into year 1 and year 2 with this team. Clearly different than mine. Deep down, do I think Beckman is the long-term answer? Probably not. But I'd rather root for it to be that way and have me be wrong, as you're back to respectability much faster if he is. Hell, even if he gets us to the low to middle tier and then you decide to make a change, at least the next guy isn't starting from rock bottom.

 

Constantly blowing up your program sounds great in theory, but it just moves your backwards even more and it's going to be really tough to hire ANYONE decent after you gave a guy 2 years with a program that sucked.

 

This is the year it has to turn around. We saw forward movement last year, which we needed to see. This year is basically bowl or bust, although 5 wins, depending on how they come and how they play, may be enough. That's why I don't like setting an really hard line on # of wins.

 

The schedule breaks down into 4 almost lock wins, 4 almost lock losses, and 4 toss up games. So 2-2 and those would get it done, if the other 8 went as we think they will.

 

So for me, I'd rather root for them to succeed, get momentum going and build from here. Keep the recruits they have committed. If they suck this year, I will be right there with everyone else on the "let's make a change" bandwagon.

 

it's gotten to the point where there are fans (even in this thread) that are ok with not ever being at the top level of the conference.

Count me in on that then, depending on your definition of top level of the conference (do you mean top half? Do you mean top elite 2-3 teams?). We're never going to consistently be in the "top level" of a conference, at least not any time soon. I think that's realistic. My expectations are to be in the middle tier of the BT, be competitive and entertaining, and going bowling more times than not (in other words, let's try to be an Iowa first). Once in a while, you put it all together and you're competing for a BT title/BCS bowl. But it'd be ignorant to have OSU expectations for an Illinois program.

 

In college football (and basketball for that matter), with as many teams as there are, it's different from pro sports. The expectation can't be "championship", depending on your program. Some people can have those expectations in one sport, some both, some none.

Edited April 28, 201411 yr by IlliniKrush

That's not really the point. The next time you post something positive it will be the first time.

About Beckman? Probably right. There has been next to nothing in two years that has been anything positive to post about unfortunately.

 

Deep down, you are praying they don't get 6 wins, because you won't be able to easily trot out your fire beckman posts all the time.

 

Do you truly believe I'd root against my own teams to justify my soxtalk.com posts? I like you Krush but not that much.

 

 

There's one other guy who I can think of that matched my dislike of Beckman. Now I have 0 problem being wrong and rooting him on since he's found some success. He plays catcher for the Sox.

 

 

If Beckman goes out and wins like he's supposed to I will do the same of course.

 

It's just so much easier, in any sport and with any team, to be the "fire the manager! trade these guys!" guy than it is to be constructive and hope for positivity. It's an easier path to take.

I'm offering my opinion. Not being a guy of any sort. There's no reason to offer a positive opinion over a negative one if it's flawed just for the sake a posting style.

You've been posting on here about Illinois for what, 10 years? You haven't only been negative regarding Beckman. It's everything Illini. I'm not the only one that thinks so.

 

So what's your thought process going into this year? Actually rooting for wins and for Beckman to maybe be the guy to turn it around? Or you're so anti-Beckman that you're hoping they s*** the bed? Of course you'e never come out and say you're rooting against the Illini on here, but I still think you're just waiting for the other shoe to drop so you can get on here and post all the "I told you" stuff.

 

Because pro or anti Beckman, any Illini fan should be in the first category. I'm not even a huge fan of Beckman at all from what we've seen so far, but I have to root for wins for the long-term stability of the program and a faster turnaround.

Regarding Illinois, yeah I've posted about them forever but I was certainly more defensive (passive is probably the better word here) about Weber/Zook compared to the rest of you guys so I'm not sure where that comes in. I'm wait and see on Groce. This year was ultimately disappointing but the previous one was better so it balances out for me. Beckman I've seen enough to decide that he should have been gone. Not only are we not competing, we haven't even looked closed to doing so for the most part. Well, we've had this same argument a million times; you know my stance.

 

 

 

I'm rooting for the team to succeed. I go down to the games and enjoy myself. I wouldn't do that if I wished them to lose. Hopefully they make it a lot more enjoyable to make that trip, and soon.

Regarding Illinois, yeah I've posted about them forever but I was certainly more defensive (passive is probably the better word here) about Weber/Zook compared to the rest of you guys so I'm not sure where that comes in. I'm wait and see on Groce. This year was ultimately disappointing but the previous one was better so it balances out for me. Beckman I've seen enough to decide that he should have been gone. Not only are we not competing, we haven't even looked closed to doing so for the most part. Well, we've had this same argument a million times; you know my stance.

 

 

 

I'm rooting for the team to succeed. I go down to the games and enjoy myself. I wouldn't do that if I wished them to lose. Hopefully they make it a lot more enjoyable to make that trip, and soon.

I'm all in on Groce. Maybe I'll be wrong, but I'm all in. We knew this year was going to be a dip, so they basically aligned with my expectations before the season started.

 

In regards to Beckman, last year was a lot better than the year before. Yes, I know it's not saying a ton since they were so bad, but the arrow was pointing up. The defense regressed but offense was much better. Beckman stuck his neck out for Banks, so that's on him this year if it doesn't turn around. I really hate to play this game...but we took Penn St to overtime and NW was close to a win as well. We weren't THAT far off compared to where we were in 2012. Ultimately, this will be the year to see where everything is at.

 

Overall, Illinois fans are more negative than some of these other fan bases IMO. We need to help change the culture. Yes, the teams/admin have to help as well. I think MT is obviously moving it forward compared to RG.

 

Do you go to every game? I didn't make a home game last year but made the Washington game. Year before, the last game I was at was the La Tech game and that was just awful. I'm probably planning one of the first 2 with the family since weather will be nice, then play it by ear for any of the BT home games. I think Minnesota is going to be the huge turning point game one way or another, so I have that circled. I think we're 4-3 at that point (barring a slip up against Purdue at home). You either jump to 5 wins and need just one of PSU/Iowa/@NW, or you drop to even and you need to get 2 of those 3 with morale down and sitting at 4-5 after a loss at OSU.

For the record, I think B>W is the most reasonable (read: realistic) Illini fan here. He just doesn't let the fan part of his brain block what the realistic part is telling him. LittleHurt is in that category too. Then comes Jenks and Russ, who sometimes put the orange-and-blue glasses on but are mostly level-headed.

For the record, I think B>W is the most reasonable (read: realistic) Illini fan here. He just doesn't let the fan part of his brain block what the realistic part is telling him. LittleHurt is in that category too. Then comes Jenks and Russ, who sometimes put the orange-and-blue glasses on but are mostly level-headed.

 

Well, I guess that leaves me and krush as the homers haha.

 

 

I'm probably the furthest thing from a homer with all of my teams.

Wisconsin offered Admiral Schofield from Zion. Interesting that Illinois not in on him. Under the radar I guess.

I'm probably the furthest thing from a homer with all of my teams.

 

I like to think of myself as a pretty realistic poster myself. I'm not sure what you guys think of me. I wouldn't be surprised if everybody thought I was a homer because I'm one of the like 10 people in the world willing to defend Beckman (on some things).

 

 

Brian, Shawn Roundtree from Edwardsville going to Mo State.

More momentum for football recruiting...rumors swirling of another good in-state commit or two this week/weekend.

I like to think of myself as a pretty realistic poster myself. I'm not sure what you guys think of me. I wouldn't be surprised if everybody thought I was a homer because I'm one of the like 10 people in the world willing to defend Beckman (on some things).

No one on this board is as bad as like scoutboard or ESPN posters. Those are awful. Whether they're being exceedingly optimistic or not, people here tend to actually support their opinions. Way to go, team.

More momentum for football recruiting...rumors swirling of another good in-state commit or two this week/weekend.

 

Better not be Boykin.

Better not be Boykin.

 

 

Nah I think it's Michigan for Boykin.

Better not be Boykin.

 

Rumors are Oseland or Edwards with Nagel looking positive as well.

 

 

Nah I think it's Michigan for Boykin.

 

Bless you, child.

Myles Turner to Texas as expected.

 

One and done probably wont help them too much.

Wisconsin offered Admiral Schofield from Zion. Interesting that Illinois not in on him. Under the radar I guess.

I guess we're in on him too. But if Wiscy offered I assume we have no chance. But I guess Josh Cunningham did go to Bradley so maybe?

Edited May 1, 201411 yr by Rowand44

They just want us to get a better draft pick! /green

Indeed. He takes more pride in being the negative, complaining Illini fan. Some people are just that way.

Negative is Beckman bringing Banks back.............no way on God's green Earth should that man still be employed. Illinois finished 112th in total defense and 105th in scoring defense. I am happy they got Gabe, but Banks being back brings down everyone's energy level and outlook in 2014. If it all goes bad they all will be fired. The defense will stop nobody simple as that, Banks is a clown.

Edited May 1, 201411 yr by Soxfest

I guess we're in on him too. But if Wiscy offered I assume we have no chance. But I guess Josh Cunningham did go to Bradley so maybe?

 

Psh, if we got Schofield, I'd crap my pants. He does everything. Probably better fit for us than high major but most guys don't pass that up.

Brunson final 8.

 

Illinois, Michigan, Michigan st, Kansas, Purdue, nova, temple, uconn

Edited May 3, 201411 yr by Brian