I appreciate that our defense gives up way too many yards per game. (Although with a faster-paced offense, you'd probably have more possessions which would mean more yards for both teams.) That being said, this team isn't bad.
*We have (at least) two credible QBs. We've had zero QBs for a while so this is a huge development. Bush is a dual-threat and has multiple ways to convert 3rd-and-long. Rivers is a true freshman and can move the offense. He's only going to get better. This is a big deal for the rebuild.
*We have a real offensive coordinator. I don't like all the play calls (too many negative plays for my liking) but we move the ball down the field, even with injuries at the WR position.
*We are 3-2. 3-9 was certainly a possibility before the season, so we've already gotten that far. It's not like we've reached a point where we can never win again (you know what that looks like.) Our starting QB was injured and we still had late leads against very good teams. Furthermore, the schedule is still weak enough that we are likely to get two more Big Ten wins.
*We get interceptions. That didn't happen before. Our turnover ratio is very good and it's not a fluke. Our guys protect the ball and make plays on defense.
*Our special teams are solid. I've seen the opposite and it is painful.
*This team is getting better, especially next year. So we're on the upswing. This is the fun part where potential starts turning into wins.
I know there's a fear that Purdue will hang 50+ points on us and we'll be humiliated at home on Saturday, but there's also a legitimate chance that we win the game. I'm more optimistic about Illini football than I've been in quite a while.
*We have (at least) two credible QBs. We've had zero QBs for a while so this is a huge development. Bush is a dual-threat and has multiple ways to convert 3rd-and-long. Rivers is a true freshman and can move the offense. He's only going to get better. This is a big deal for the rebuild.
*We have a real offensive coordinator. I don't like all the play calls (too many negative plays for my liking) but we move the ball down the field, even with injuries at the WR position.
*We are 3-2. 3-9 was certainly a possibility before the season, so we've already gotten that far. It's not like we've reached a point where we can never win again (you know what that looks like.) Our starting QB was injured and we still had late leads against very good teams. Furthermore, the schedule is still weak enough that we are likely to get two more Big Ten wins.
*We get interceptions. That didn't happen before. Our turnover ratio is very good and it's not a fluke. Our guys protect the ball and make plays on defense.
*Our special teams are solid. I've seen the opposite and it is painful.
*This team is getting better, especially next year. So we're on the upswing. This is the fun part where potential starts turning into wins.
I know there's a fear that Purdue will hang 50+ points on us and we'll be humiliated at home on Saturday, but there's also a legitimate chance that we win the game. I'm more optimistic about Illini football than I've been in quite a while.
