Fan Blog

It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Posted by: Kim Johnson

Sunday, November 16, 2008 2:41 PM

Really, my expectations are so low right now that, even though I am a huge Illini fan, I didn't think the Illini were going to pull this one off.  I did think that the score would be much more lop-sided.  But even that wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

 

The weather wasn't great, but it wasn't as bad as I expected.  I had 4 layers on, and my daughter was dressed like Randy in "A Christmas Story", but we ended up moving to seats under the east balcony, near the north side, and it wasn't that cold.  Whoever wrote the line on the front of the News Gazette sports section was right.  I didn't have my coat on until midway through the second quarter.

 

I thought there would be fewer fans there, but there were actually more in attendance than I expected. 

Even the Buckeye fans weren't as bad as I thought they might be.  I stood in the concession stand line with them for quite some time, and they were pleasant.  They were trying to convince my kids to become Ohio State fans.  Being the smart kids that they are, they consistently told them no. 

 

Then there was the Ohio State fan who decided to befriend us.  Apparently, he collects grass or turf from all of the Buckeyes away games.  Don't know how he gets his sample, and I didn't want to ask.  To each his own!

 

We had my father-in-law here, along with a friend of my husband's.  They make an annual pilgrimage to a game.  It is usually the last game, and it is usually cold.  And, the Illini usually lose the game they attend.  But, again, it wasn't as bad as it has been at times or as bad as we thought it would be.

 

There really is nothing new to say.  I feel like everyone writing about the Illini each week says the same thing.  The Illini are a talented bunch, but they can't seem to get it together.  The Illini had the usual big plays, in particular the awesome catch by Cumberland for the touchdown.  Eller made his field goals.  But, they had the usual bad plays, too.  Special teams didn't do any worse than usual.  Juice got a least one interception.  And, short fields for the Buckeyes didn't help the defense to play any better.

 

 As a fan, I am worn to a nub.

 

Ohio State was faster and better, but not that much better than the Illini.  The Illini could have won this game.  Two turnovers by the Illini led to two Buckeye touchdowns.   That difference was really never made up.

 

My weekly gripe is on the late hit penalty on third down.  That was a bad call.  It's football; the players get hit.  Call the obvious ones and let the others go.

 

The attitude of fans after the game at the tailgate I went to wasn't as bad as I thought it might be.  Well, except for one fan.  I can't print his quote, though.  But, the deep-fried turkey was delicious.

 

I got home in time to watch the end of the Minnesota/Wisconsin game.  What a comeback by the Badgers.  Minnesota seems to be in a tailspin.

 

I wonder if next week's game against Northwestern will be as bad as I think it will be.  Even if the Illini win, I am not convinced that they will be selected to go to any bowl, even if they are eligible.  I am not sure they should be selected.  I do know that they have one very last chance.  Will the team that makes lots of mistakes show up, or the one that only makes a few mistakes?  We'll all be watching.  Go Illini!

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