It actually looks like this game actually matters for the first time (besides the stupid pewter hat). Dr. Ken, what do you think the line should be without NU's starting QB.

Not sure.

I know the line to commit suicide before watching this game will be starting in my living room.

That said, please do all the Illini a favor and WINT this game.

NU at home. Beckman will no doubt start his 2nd best QB because he's a Senior and the B-Man is stupid.

NU -8

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You know me like that.

Is there an Illinois fan who wants them to win other than family members if it means Beckman gets to keep his job?

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I see what you did there! I'm guessing NU-1. No QB is a big deal.

As long as you have a guy that can turn around and hand the ball to a fast guy, you'll be fine.

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You know me like that.

The NCAA should impose the death penalty on any team that loses to the Illini, child-rape notwithstanding.

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We all have private ails. The troublemakers are they who need public cures for their private ails.- Eric Hoffer

Beckman has improved every year. The only way he gets fired is if the AD takes into account the piss poor attendance at the games. If the coach doesn't inspire people to show up to games, it doesn't matter if he can get to bowl games or not.

That said, if the Illini win next week, I would dare to say that Beckman has proven to be a better coach than Zook. Zook would start off the last couple seasons 6-0 and then end up 6-6. Beckman's team this year fought back to win a few Big Ten games to get to bowl eligible (if they beat NU).

Overall, though, Beckman sucks.

This team is horrible.

Zook lost it the year before he got fired when they blew a lead late to Michigan and lost that 3OT game then followed that up with a loss to a horrible Minnesota team. If they took care of that, that team would have been 9-4 with a bowl rout over RGIII and Baylor.

The year they started 6-0, they sputtered down the stretch against some good teams. Zook was not a great coach but those teams were competitive.

This year's team has lost 5 of their last 7, routinely getting their ass handed to them. Those 2 wins are by a combined 6 points. The 5 losses in that span are by a combined 109. He needs to be fired.

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You know me like that.

As much as I'd like him to stay forever, Beckman has to go regardless of the score. Beating a severely decimated NU isn't gonna prove much about this Illini squad. Maybe if they win a bowl game.


***EDIT*** Looks like Illini pretty beat up too!

Still some good parts on the Illini. I like Ferguson at TB but what happened to QB Lunt coming back from injury? He looked like crap. That little "Welker" like WR is exciting.

I give this one to NU 37-24.

I see a big day by JJ Jackson.

When was the last time these two teams met with something like being bowl eligible was in the balance for both ? I don't recall. I think up to the latter part of the 20th Century,the Big 10 allowed no bowl appearances except for the Rose Bowl.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

Dudek is awesome. Lunt will be OK.

Dudek will hold every WR record at Illinois if he stays healthy.

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You know me like that.

You think Josh Ferguson has a chance at the next level? Scat back?

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No.

This game is depressing to watch on a number of levels.

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You know me like that.

Probably how I will feel when the Bears win 3 out of the next 4.

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I am starting to question some life choices that have led me to watch this game.

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You know me like that.

A few weeks ago,I dumped my extra tier of channels to save 10 bucks. When I found out this game was in that tier,I called up to get them back. This game cost me 10 bucks!

I prefer the extra channels anyway. I got the NFL Network back.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

It would be a fitting end to the Beckman Era to blow a huge lead.

It's really the last thing he's yet to prove - that he can also blow a huge lead. He's never had one before.

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You know me like that.

Fitz should have listened to me.

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You know me like that.

What's the point of retiring it if they ALWAYS mention that they used to play for the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk?

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You know me like that.

Uh oh.

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You know me like that.

Yes

Don't let your love of all things JCA cloud your opinions.

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Good game, Dr. Ken. Enjoy your bowl... well deserved.

Not sure what a scat back is, but I hope Jack Brickhouse let's us know...

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Why do you hate me so much?

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You know me like that.

Jack wouldn't say shit if he had a mouthful of it (frequent thing my dad would comment).

What does Giovani Bernard do that Josh Ferguson can't?