Fan Blog

A win is a win...

Posted by: Kim Johnson

Sunday, September 14, 2008 4:11 PM

I didn't intend to start out talking about the polls, but I just looked at the updated AP and Coach's polls.  I guess all you need to do is win, no matter how or against whom, and bingo-you move up.  Not that it really matters, but I find it interesting that the Illini move up to #22 in the AP poll and #23 in the Coach's poll.  Everyone must know that the Illini are a better team than they showed on Saturday.

 

The day started off pretty well, with no fear of it being a tense game at the end.  There was a bigger crowd than I expected, but it turned out to be a great day, weather-wise.  However, it was a noticeably slimmer crowd tailgating.  I know our tailgate hosts opted to invite everyone out to their home after the game instead of facing the possibility of a wet, windy, and muddy afternoon.  I think many other fans did the same.  People just didn't seem as excited for the game as usual.  I think the team felt the same way.

 

What I also noticed was the amount of negativity of the fans near us at the game.  Wow.  I know I question some plays and calls during the game, but I wonder about whether some people's hearts can take it when they get so worked up over a bad throw, a missed tackle, etc.  The best quote of the day was the comment by one angry fan, "Every time they wear those orange jerseys they play like #%$*".  I am not trying to be Pollyanna, but maybe some fans should take a deep breath before they yell their brains out over a bad play. 

 

The crowd became even more restless during that 3rd and 1 and 4^th and 1 that the Illini didn't convert on.  Not that we shouldn't have been restless.  The game got a little too close for comfort, but thankfully, time ran out. 

 

 I even heard of complaints about the Marching Illini!  I thought their tribute to Lynard Skynard was awesome.  Nothing like hearing the guitar solo in Freebird belted out by the trumpets!

 

Yes, the Illini were a bit off.  Where was the emotion?  I think the Rajin' Cajuns could feel it, and they nearly took full advantage of the flat Illini.  Oh, there were bright spots, like the play of Vontae Davis (is it too strange for me to want to buy an Illini #1 jersey for myself?), Michael Hoomanawanui (yes, I always have to look up how to spell his name), and the touchdown by Brit Miller (thank goodness for that one). 

 

But, Juice just wasn't himself.  What happens when we start the Big Ten?  If he is getting pounded by Louisiana-Lafayette, what happens against Penn State?  I know he is a big, strong guy, but how much pounding can he take?  I guess we're going to find out in the weeks to come.

 

I was wondering how the Illini are going to compete in the Big Ten Conference when they play this way, but when I look at what happened to Ohio State and Michigan and Purdue, maybe it doesn't matter.  Granted, they faced much better teams than we did, but still, they didn't do much to help out the conference.  Not that I am unhappy that any of those teams lost.  I don't know if I ever root for Michigan, though I didn't know who to root for in yesterday's game.  Can't bring myself to cheer for Notre Dame either.

 

Guess we shouldn't feel so bad that Missouri scored 52 points on the Illini.  At least it wasn't 69, like they scored yesterday!

 

I never thought this week off near the beginning of the season would be a good thing, but it turns out to be a great thing.  This break should give the team time to get focused and find their emotion for the match-up against Penn State.  Heaven knows they're going to need it.  Go Illini!

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