Lots of rocket scientists in the bleachers from my experience.

I'm sure many of them got their start throwing marshmallows at Dyche Stadium.

Dr. Ken, looking back over the last few years you can see what I am talking about. 2009 is the exception, not the rule.

2006:

Lose to #1 Ohio St. 17-10 (game was 17-0 well into fourth quarter, and 17-3 until less than two minutes were left. Tressel sat on the ball)
Lose to #18 Wisc 30-24

Close losses to 2 teams that probably should have hammered you.

Then:

Lose to Indiana 34-32
Lose to NW 27-16

2 losses to teams you should be beating. (I don't think the 2006 version of Illinois should have been beating anyone that season.)


2007:

Rose Bowl Year, but still 3 losses to teams you probably should have beat that year:

Lose to Mizzou 40-34 (Mizzou was ranked #1 for part of that year. They should have been a BCS team, but Kansas was chosen from the Big 12 instead, despite MIzzou having beaten Kansas. Mizzou then pounded Arkansas--the Arkansas that beat national champion LSU--in the Cotton Bowl. Also, Eddie McGee had to play much of that game after Juice Williams was injured. I don't see how that was a "should have won.")

Lose to Iowa 10-6
Lose to Michigan 27-17

(Michigan was 6-2 in conference that year, but I'll let it slide. 2007 doesn't fit the pattern at all, as Illinois defeated a number of teams it "shouldn't have," including a Penn State team that finished in the top 25, a Wisconsin team that was ranked #5 when they faced Illinois, and an Ohio State team ranked #1)

2008:

Lose to #12 Penn State 38-24 (I'm not sure how losing to PSU by 14 points is keeping it all that close.)
Lose to #10 Ohio State 30-20 (The Ohio State game was 30-13 until less than a minute was left in the game. A garbage TD made it appear closer than it was.)
Win at Iowa 27-24 (That was actually at home. Besides, that goes against your pattern--they didn't keep a game against a better team close, they beat them. It was the only game that year that they won OR kept close against a decent opponent).

Closer games than what they probably should have been.

Then:

Lose to Minn 27-20
Lose to NW 27-10

(The Minnesota game was one they absolutely should have won. That fits the description. Northwestern went 9-3 in 2008 though. I don't see how that fits).

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

Next week vs. MSU should be a good game. I'm smelling upset.

Martez Wilson is a waste of talent. He just stands there when he's shadowing the QB - it's like he has no football instincts at all.

Nugget heard this morning:

Ron Zook is 0-5 after the bye week as the Illini coach.

This observation is now incorrect. He's a bit of a beast now.

And I just picture Mr. Reason watching the Orange & Blue Juggernaut singing to himself that the team is 2 Liuget 2 Liuget 2 Quit. You know you're thinking it. And if you weren't, you will be now.

The best part is that probably their best cornerback, Hawthorne, still hasn't played yet.

Joliet Catholic senior running back Josh Ferguson rushed for 243 yards and 4 touchdowns. He's a little man among boys.

Illinois' defense is a revelation compared to the last 10 years. However, their offense is sad. Scheelhaase had better learn to throw the ball, because Petrino is a passing coordinator. Whitmer and O'Toole are gonna be big time competition this offseason.

Overall, its nice to see the Illini be competitive.

Losing by 20 points & not scoring a TD is not competitive. But yea, against the lesser teams, sure.

I'm very excited to see Illini basketball this year

I'm very excited to see Illini basketball this year

There are certainly no more excuses for Bruce Weber to underachieve.

There are certainly no more excuses for Bruce Weber to underachieve.

Matt Painter in the Big Ten -

Overall: 112-56 (.667)
Conference: 52-34 (.605)
_______________

Bruce Weber in the Big Ten -

Overall: 173-72 (.706)
Conference: 75-44 (.630)

I like Matt Painter. He's a fine apple off the Bruce Weber coaching tree.

If you toss out Bruce Weber's worst year, you get -

Overall 157-53 (.748)
Big Ten: 49-21 (.700)

Please return to the discussion.

I like Matt Painter. He's a fine apple off the Bruce Weber coaching tree.

Im pretty hammered right now.