Illinois Big 10 champs in 2 years?

[weisbankaccount]

any thoughts?

I think its highly possible. I dont like the school but they intrigue me because they looked like a 1AA school last year and are currently ranked in the top 10 recruiting by some sites.

 

[solo]

any thoughts?

I think its highly possible. I dont like the school but they intrigue me because they looked like a 1AA school last year and are currently ranked in the top 10 recruiting by some sites.

Not until Zook is gone.

We all know that he can recruit. It's the coaching piece that has been the thorn in his side. My guess is that he will have the next coach at Illinois set up well to succeed, much like he did Urban Meyer at Florida.

 

[scooper]

Recruiting alone won't cut it. Sooner or later, the two loss seasons will hurt the recruiting anyway. I think they'll get better. I think they'll get their dot com bowls. They may even upset the big boys now and then. But as a program, they're not going to overtake OSU, UM, Penn St and Wisky.

 

[GoshenGipper]

No flippin way! At least as long as Zook is there. He might be a very good recruiter, but he's a horrible coach, and 5 to 10 very good prospects a year won't win you a Big Ten title. If he can stockpile some talent, and then if Illinois were to fire him and hire someone that is a quality coach while Zook's recruits are still there, then they will probably be a bowl team with at least a shot at challenging for a title.

 

[nd1]

He's a great recruiter but horrible coach. I mean look at how he underachieved at florida and they have ten times the talent that ill. has. He's good at gettting they players there but doesn't have a clue of how to use them.

 

[AlbuquerqueIrishFan]

Recruiting alone won't cut it. Sooner or later, the two loss seasons will hurt the recruiting anyway. I think they'll get better. I think they'll get their dot com bowls. They may even upset the big boys now and then. But as a program, they're not going to overtake OSU, UM, Penn St and Wisky.

I agreee with this 100%. Very realistic.

 

[weisbankaccount]

Recruiting alone won't cut it. Sooner or later, the two loss seasons will hurt the recruiting anyway. I think they'll get better. I think they'll get their dot com bowls. They may even upset the big boys now and then. But as a program, they're not going to overtake OSU, UM, Penn St and Wisky.

When I read that I thought, "what about 3 loss seasons?"

I think if IL is losing recruits because of 2 loss seasons, that would be thrilling for IL football, you know what I mean? 11-2 at that program would make Zook a folk hero.

I really dont like Zook. They had him on here in Chicago and I was really disappointed in the radio shows lack of college football knowledge (Mike North on 670 AM for those of you nearby)

They acted like Notre Dame was a joke with recruiting because of the guys IL landed. I watched Tom Lemmings show last night and he had ND #3 rated in recruiting and this is before adding Little.

Then Zook played dumb and said he doesnt even know the star rating of the guys hes pursuing. Oh go fuck yourself Ron, does he think were retarded? Then he said "all I do is sell Illinois to these guys"

I was openly laughing. The stadium there is a dump, the facilities are mediocre and its a basketball school.

 

[scooper]

When I read that I thought, "what about 3 loss seasons?"

For them or for us? For them, I think it represents a ceiling. For us, I think it says there is a lot of work yet to be done.

ND's ceiling is much higher, at least as far as sustained success if concerned, but so are the expectations so it's hard to measure one school's success against the other.

That counts for recruiting also. Look at some of Illinois's commits, a number of whom are teammates of the stars they've landed. Their package deal strategy is pretty clear. But that's OK for them. It gets them players the likes of which they've not landed there before.

Had ND taken some of those teammates, fans would howl. Illinois will probably end up top ten in recruiting and it will be their best class ever. If ND can't work their way into the top 5 this year, I think people will be dissapointed. Especially considering the early momentum. Maybe that's not a fair assesment, but I think it's reality.

 

[marv81s]

He's selling something, and some kids are buying it hook, line and sinker. I agree with Scooper's thoughts. They will go nowhere, but I'll give them a shot at the Motor City Bowl or some bowl like that against the 1st or 2nd place MAC team, but they will not win the Big 10 conference. I think we got all the proof we need that Zook can't coach great talent when he was at Florida and I am sick of people acting like Spurrier left him with nothing, that is flat out BS.

So, no, I don't see this good recruiting class making much of an impact for a couple years, and even then, lower/middle tier bowl game.

 

[Junkhead]

I just don't get what the kids see in him. Maybe he is promising them new cars or something.

 

[sonomairishfan]

Not until Zook is gone.

We all know that he can recruit. It's the coaching piece that has been the thorn in his side. My guess is that he will have the next coach at Illinois set up well to succeed, much like he did Urban Meyer at Florida.

my thoughts also. if only he didn't have to coach on gameday. he'd win 100 NC's if it were just getting kids to the program.

 

[chrislw35]

I cant believe anyone would even think that is possible. This team will be at best .500 in the big ten in 4 years. This class is impressive, but you have to remember from where they are at now the recruiting will need 3 to 4 years similar to this year to have quality depth. The main reason this is funny to me is have you watched Zook coach ever???? I am not going to bore you with the ole what he did at florida with all that talent speech. Think about it guys Ill. will only be .500 in the big ten in 4 years at best.

 

[GoshenGipper]

Well according to "that WR from DC", Illinois is going to a bowl game next year.

ROTFLOL!

 

[Jason Pham]

Well according to "that WR from DC", Illinois is going to a bowl game next year.

ROTFLOL!

I believe him! After all, he IS a man of his word, aye?

 

[weisbankaccount]

I think they go better than .500 in 3-4 years.

.500? This day and age in CFB you can go .500 on accident the way schedules are set up.

I think after the next few years IL is definitely a contender for a Big 10 title.

I think Zook is a con man but I dont think there is enough of a body of work to say he cant coach. I heard Pete Carrol couldnt coach either and Bill Belichick wasnt the annointed genious with the Browns as he is now with the Patriots.

 

[FleaFlicker]

I think they go better than .500 in 3-4 years.

.500? This day and age in CFB you can go .500 on accident the way schedules are set up.

I think after the next few years IL is definitely a contender for a Big 10 title.

I think Zook is a con man but I dont think there is enough of a body of work to say he cant coach. I heard Pete Carrol couldnt coach either and Bill Belichick wasnt the annointed genious with the Browns as he is now with the Patriots.

I think they are better than .500 but I have a real hard time believing that they will beat out teams like Wisonsin, Penn State, OSU, and UM. I just don't see it happening.

 

[Timugen]

When I read that I thought, "what about 3 loss seasons?"

I think if IL is losing recruits because of 2 loss seasons, that would be thrilling for IL football, you know what I mean? 11-2 at that program would make Zook a folk hero.

I'm not sure, but I believe the poster meant to say 2-win seasons (for Illinois.)

 

[IrishRamMan10]

I believe him! After all, he IS a man of his word, aye?

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO low blow, low blow
lol LOVE IT