so is "zone system defensive players" the new codeword/term that the elmhurst steves of the world are using nowadays? =P

attempted levity aside, i honestly do figure that lovie might do a bit better with recruiting kids who could use that "father figure" type relationship that lovie always seemed to have with "his defense." but then again seeing as this is college football it might not even matter too much cuz i figure that recruiting is probably way more about "sizzle" than "steak" in terms of big flashy media-boosted names like "saban" and "urban meyer" and even "harbaugh" having a way easier time getting a foot in the door than "lovie smith"

was lovie ever really that nationally renown during his time with the bears?

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zone coverage defensive backs for lovie

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Lovie will do well at Illinois. Give us an 8-5 in a couple of years and I'll be happy. The defense will eventually keep games competitive. I'm not expecting miracles right away. I just wonder if he is truly done with the NFL.

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Back off, Warchild. Seriously.

The NFL is done with him, he'd love to have a job but it ain't happening . Illinois has a weak schedule and conference, all the best Big10 teams are in the other division...if he was half as good as some of you think he is, he'd be 10-11 game winner( that will never happen)

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1-0 in the first quarter of the season so far.

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You know me like that.

Murray St.


May as well have been Eastern Illinois or St Xavier.

6-6 with a very weak schedule in a weak division.

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I'm guessing you haven't been watching in recent years.

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You know me like that.

I think 312 gets very negative when he's withdrawaling from the bath salts.

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Don't it feel like the 55-3 drubbing of kent state to open the season last year?

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Weed n booze only buddy

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No. It looked much different.

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You know me like that.

Hope you are right, I'd love to see Illinois a respectable team again..haven't seen it since I was a kid ..I think Love is a shitball and can't coach, he reminds me of Jeff Fischer..I'm thinking he's a 6-6 guy and 30-30 guy after 5 years...I hope I'm wrong.

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You gotta remember Doc is the eternal optimist when it comes to the Illini.

Now with that said, I think Lovie is a great fit for them and will have them headed in the right direction.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

One of nieces had to move back to Champaign for her husband's job, they are both UIUC graduate. They went to their game with their two pre-schoolers, she said that the excitement level down there was completely off the charts. Just the idea that they have a coach who really should be head coaches someplace, as opposed to the schmoes they have had for the last decade.

Me, I'll be satisfied with 2-6 in conference this year, pleased if they go 3-5, and stunned if they go 4-4.

The bigger thing for me was that I actually listened to an entire game between the radio in the car and the live stream at home, something I haven't done in probably 5-6 years.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

Any predictions for the NC game? Its in Champaign and Illinois is plus 10.


NC- 34
Illini -20

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I'm not getting too crazy about a win over Murray State, but it's a good start. That's the kind of game they would have won 31-17 in the Beckman era. With Lovie they crushed like Ohio State or Michigan would have. Well, maybe those teams would have put up 90 but it's a big improvement anyway.

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Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Elon, Tulsi, and Don

Illinois won their opener last year against Kent State by the same score as this past weekend. The difference? Illinois looked competent in all aspects of the game. Lovie even pulled his starters really early and they still looked pretty good.

If Illinois can be competitive in the UNC game, it would show the impact Lovie has had on the team. UNC throttled Illinois last year.

I had forgotten that. The close wins over powerhourses like Middle Tennessee State, Western Kentucky, and Youngstown State stick more in my mind.

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Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Elon, Tulsi, and Don

Cubit pounded Kent State and Western Illinois to open the season last year. Then went and got the shit beat out of him by UNC.

UNC was very good in the ACC last year. No idea on outlook for this year but I doubt they are a pushover.

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Elections have consequences.

Illinois 29
UNC 27

Anyone else going?

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I'm going to he watching the game at bourbon street and putting a nickle on NC .

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Just after 2 games the change of power from Northwestern to the Illini has begun

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I'm going to bounce from the spot for awhile but I will be back at some point to argue with you about this hoops stuff again. Playoffs have been great this season. See ya up the road.

I'm out.

Nice start by the Illini. More good blocking.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

Take the 3

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Be well

GO BEARS!!!

Who is doing their best Gene Honda impersonation on the PA in Champaign?

Also, is this game feed stuttering and sputtering for anyone else? Got pretty bad towards the end of the half.

Yup, same old lovie.. 13-40 against teams .500 or better with the bears..this guy is a loser, I wouldn't pay him 50 cents to coach my team.

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Lunt is so toothless. Just absolutely shits himself against legitimate teams. Any pressure and he's floundering around like Black Physicist on WYC.

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Back off, Warchild. Seriously.

Gene Honda is.

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