The unofficial online home for fans of the Western Michigan University Broncos. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/col...story.html

Western Michigan University -- Chicago's B1G School. I can see the headlines and billboards now. Come to think of it, it would be awesome if the athletic department purchased some billboard space in Chicago after we beat Illy. It should state "Western Michigan University - Chicago's NEW B1G School! Row the Boat!" with a photo of Coach Fleck holding up an oar with two hands over his head.

Or maybe we should wait until we beat NIU too.

(09-16-2016 08:32 AM)Nacho Wrote:  Western Michigan University -- Chicago's B1G School. I can see the headlines and billboards now. Come to think of it, it would be awesome if the athletic department purchased some billboard space in Chicago after we beat Illy. It should state "Western Michigan University - Chicago's NEW B1G School! Row the Boat!" with a photo of Coach Fleck holding up an oar with two hands over his head.

Or maybe we should wait until we beat NIU too.

LOVE the billboard idea!

However, I agree it would be best to wait until AFTER a NIU victory, which won't be easy (NIU has been the best college football team in Illinois for quite a few years, now). Likewise, a victory tomorrow is also not a gimme.

But I like your thinking!

WOW, they picked WMU. Most places pick Illinois in a close game, as do I (or even a bit more comfortable a win by end of game).

I have this feeling like I did last year when we went into GA-Southern. All the hype was there, we were the favorites -- and came out flat, and GA-Southern Fired The Hell Up after a poor performance the previous week.

(09-16-2016 02:14 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  WOW, they picked WMU. Most places pick Illinois in a close game, as do I (or even a bit more comfortable a win by end of game).

I have this feeling like I did last year when we went into GA-Southern. All the hype was there, we were the favorites -- and came out flat, and GA-Southern Fired The Hell Up after a poor performance the previous week.

But we are a New Broncos! Or i guess will find out soon enough if we're the same old Broncos

(09-16-2016 02:14 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  WOW, they picked WMU. Most places pick Illinois in a close game, as do I (or even a bit more comfortable a win by end of game).

I have this feeling like I did last year when we went into GA-Southern. All the hype was there, we were the favorites -- and came out flat, and GA-Southern Fired The Hell Up after a poor performance the previous week.

Sure, Illinois can win but I highly doubt it.

GaSu is a wholly different situation. FB is religion in Georgia. The only other thing close is deer and Boar hunting. In Champaign .... I cant even describe it. Cant put adequately put into words the complacency and lack of deep rooted interest.

Wait, Beige might be a way to describe it. Illini fans are Beige or Beige like.

So a home game for the Illini is nothing like one for the Iggles.

As I said, WMU by 8 and they keep rolling toward being undefeated by years end (sans bowl game).

Well back in the day Chief Illiniwek could really fire them up, alas he is no more except as a memory.

Quote:But we are a New Broncos! Or i guess will find out soon enough if we're the same old Broncos

Well, the New Broncos of last year -- who beat a ranked team & won a bowl, was in this position early in the season, on the road to a roughly-same-league team and lost, despite a slight edge in the odds due to the opposing team being disappointing the previous week. I don't think last year we were the same-old Broncos. :)

Quote:FB is religion in Georgia. The only other thing close is deer and Boar hunting. In Champaign .... I cant even describe it. Cant put adequately put into words the complacency and lack of deep rooted interest.

That's the thing. If this was last year's Illini (sans Bill Cubit who has a vendetta against us) -- I would be in a different position. Lovie Smith is getting them Going. The fans are fired up, and the team -- moreso than in recent history. The Illini is a tougher team than last year and will continue to get better as the year goes on, too. That's the reason why I put the solid edge to Illinois. If Illinois was coming off 3 straight losses, with a big game coming up after us (like NW) -- then I wouldn't be freightened at all.

Quote:As I said, WMU by 8 and they keep rolling toward being undefeated by years end (sans bowl game).

That's an even bigger claim! :) Hey, I can't knock optimism for WMU, don't get me wrong. I just see our flaws and don't expect us, with our D, to be too consistent.

Degree of Difficulty Games Left:
#1: @CMU [When they're good, it's damn near impossible to win @CMU; No, Enos didn't make them good]
#2: Toledo [if was @Toledo, it'd be above, not tied with Illinois]
#2: @Illinois [Illinois is poised early under Lovie wanting to make up for last time, and smells blood]
#4: GA-Southern [We'll want revenge; especially if/when we lose to Illinois with shoulda-woulda-couldas]
#5: ........
#6: NIU [may become #5 if they come close to the spread against SD-State]
#7: @BSU [they're actually not that bad; mistakes cost them against @Indiana to prevent a close game; it'll be shored up I think]
#8: @Akron [fear the 'roo]

Cubit with a vendetta?

Please.

In Champaign he had a secretary so he was far ahead of what was provided in Kalamazoo.

Not to mention making much more than what WMU did and would.

You mention that this years Illini are tougher. What measuring stick are you using? What evidence is there?

Lovie has the fans "going"? What does that mean?

If you have trouble sleeping, just listen to Lovie. Your insomnia will be cured in no time.

I love Lovie. Thought he got a raw deal with the Bears. Though he is low key he is very much entrenched in what he believes/does. Doesn't shy away from criticism nor will he wilt from it. Not the most adaptable cat around.

So in Chicago they decided that the trajectory was wrong and the Captain of the ship was going to keep on keeping on with the attempt to simply do it better.

That "watching paint drying on the walls" approach will go well in Champaign. Stay the course, nothing to rock the boat. Peej wouldn't go over well there. Too much adrenalin and mirror gazing.

Quote:Cubit with a vendetta?

Please.

In Champaign he had a secretary so he was far ahead of what was provided in Kalamazoo.

I don't think having a secretary made him get rid of angst for being swiftly (and by many, questionably) fired and replaced by a young kid who only had any real experience as a WR coach. Vendetta I guess is a strong word, but you know what I mean. More pay as HC, and still more pay as OC to some degree for most his time there, I'm sure that eased his pain when thinking about us. Cubit wouldn't be taking us lightly. Especially with Fleck eyeing to take his place in Illinois (and would if we won, most likely).

Quote:You mention that this years Illini are tougher. What measuring stick are you using? What evidence is there?

A much better game against UNC this time around. A senior QB, and a coach that gets the players fired up a lot with passion. Massively better? Dunno. But playing better, IMO.

Quote:Lovie has the fans "going"? What does that mean?

Like the last game -- a sell out. Hard to come by in Champaign. The buzz around campus with Lovie coming in. Reported by many. Not a small deal. It makes the difference to get over the hump.

(09-16-2016 07:50 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:Cubit with a vendetta?

Please.

In Champaign he had a secretary so he was far ahead of what was provided in Kalamazoo.

I don't think having a secretary made him get rid of angst for being swiftly (and by many, questionably) fired and replaced by a young kid who only had any real experience as a WR coach. Vendetta I guess is a strong word, but you know what I mean. More pay as HC, and still more pay as OC to some degree for most his time there, I'm sure that eased his pain when thinking about us. Cubit wouldn't be taking us lightly. Especially with Fleck eyeing to take his place in Illinois (and would if we won, most likely).

Quote:You mention that this years Illini are tougher. What measuring stick are you using? What evidence is there?

A much better game against UNC this time around. A senior QB, and a coach that gets the players fired up a lot with passion. Massively better? Dunno. But playing better, IMO.

Quote:Lovie has the fans "going"? What does that mean?

Like the last game -- a sell out. Hard to come by in Champaign. The buzz around campus with Lovie coming in. Reported by many. Not a small deal. It makes the difference to get over the hump.

Look, U of I has an entirely new Admin top to bottom across the board.

A new vibe? One would hope? And difficult after the Beckman mess.

Results? Give it time. But you have no facts that Illinois is on the rebound or trending up.

UNC game? Context. Last year isn't this year and vice versa.

Illinois isn't and hasn't ever been a football school. A sea change would need to occur. It has been tried numerous times. About the only blip was under Mike White and that was because he cheated.

A WMU win is simply a step toward the undefeated season they should have. They have a decent team and relatively tame schedule. If WMU doesn't run the table before a bowl game it will be because the beat themselves. Is Toledo, NIU and CMU good? To an extent. They aren't Kent State. But nothing that WMU couldn't and shouldn't handle.

Company guy Bill Jr Todd Johnson up to his same spin act trying to play both sides of the coin while positioning the possible win as something monumental.

WMU should be favored to win every game this season. No reason why not.

Quote:Company guy Bill Jr Todd Johnson up to his same spin act trying to play both sides of the coin while positioning the possible win as something monumental.

I don't think it'd be monumental or close to it. It would be no shock-and-awe if we win.

Quote:WMU should be favored to win every game this season. No reason why not.

Every game? I can think of good reasons why not (@CMU, possibly Toledo), but more data needs to be played out to see how many non-favoreds. There's no reason we shouldn't be Able to Win any game, including Saturday's -- I agree on that. But expected to win, or even at least slight favorites in each one? I don't agree there.

Quote:Results? Give it time. But you have no facts that Illinois is on the rebound or trending up.

The excitement of the fan-base coming into the season. Yes, I'm running on assumption that the players feel the same way with seeing Lovie as the second-coming. Yes, they're making adjustments, but Cubit did actually help clean up that mess already. Lovie comes in to bring a shining light from heaven, from the feelings down there. "The guy who made the Bears win and brought them to the Super Bowl!" Last week brought them back down to earth, but they're going to be motivated to make up for it. And although they don't have their ducks in a row for the ideal team at all (which is why we're favored in Vegas), they're going to be fired up more than if this was Cubit's 2nd year (and Way more if somehow Beckman was staying).

Quote:UNC game? Context. Last year isn't this year and vice versa.

Illinois played better. That's all I'm saying -- although Lunt was off. But it's to be expected that he'll be more on-point this game.

Quote:Illinois isn't and hasn't ever been a football school. A sea change would need to occur.

The change is Lovie. Huge change with all the admin firings at UofIll. They're going to be investing it in. But yes, it's just the 1st year. But it doesn't take a football school in the B1G that's fired up and changing, to not be able to beat us when motivated. You're treating this as if Beckman's still the coach or something. I'm not. I see them improving reasonably as opposed to having a real bad season in the 1st year of Lovie. That's what he'll bring.

Quote:A WMU win is simply a step toward the undefeated season they should have. They have a decent team and relatively tame schedule. If WMU doesn't run the table before a bowl game it will be because the beat themselves. Is Toledo, NIU and CMU good? To an extent. They aren't Kent State.

WMU aren't in a position to have an undefeated season. They should be expected to. The D isn't there (yet) and most the toughest games are early in the season.

Yes, Toledo & CMU are good. But they're just as much in position to beat us as us to them. I would say slight edge to us with Toledo at home (but them wanting revenge, knocking them out of rankings at end of year; they do not forget) -- and slight edge to a strong CMU team in Mt Pleasant, which no, at this Rate (we'll see) shouldn't be favored against (but they shouldn't be favored by too much).

I'm not trying to be a Debbie Downer... just realistic. I know you'll hate me, but I just threw $200 on Illinois +3.

I'm just trying to BUY a WMU victory, here! :) Wish for me to lose! I know I am!!

Quote:Every game? I can think of good reasons why not (@CMU, possibly Toledo), but more data needs to be played out to see how many non-favoreds. There's no reason we shouldn't be Able to Win any game, including Saturday's -- I agree on that. But expected to win, or even at least slight favorites in each one? I don't agree there.

Why shouldn't they be expected to win every game? Just your grasps above can be seriously debated as "expected wins". Illinois, in terrible shape after the Beckman debacle. It's still under repair, the hood is still up, they're nowhere close to where they want to end up. Lovie is in his third game there, he's barely had time to get to know his staff.

@CMU, we beat them two years in a row, we have the program in place, they're still on the upswing. He's starting his second season. No reason NOT to expect a win there.

@Toledo? That guy is in his first year, we beat them with their main guy last year. That was there, we have them at home.

(09-16-2016 08:48 PM)gobaseline Wrote:  

(09-16-2016 07:50 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:Cubit with a vendetta?

Please.

In Champaign he had a secretary so he was far ahead of what was provided in Kalamazoo.

I don't think having a secretary made him get rid of angst for being swiftly (and by many, questionably) fired and replaced by a young kid who only had any real experience as a WR coach. Vendetta I guess is a strong word, but you know what I mean. More pay as HC, and still more pay as OC to some degree for most his time there, I'm sure that eased his pain when thinking about us. Cubit wouldn't be taking us lightly. Especially with Fleck eyeing to take his place in Illinois (and would if we won, most likely).

Quote:You mention that this years Illini are tougher. What measuring stick are you using? What evidence is there?

A much better game against UNC this time around. A senior QB, and a coach that gets the players fired up a lot with passion. Massively better? Dunno. But playing better, IMO.

Quote:Lovie has the fans "going"? What does that mean?

Like the last game -- a sell out. Hard to come by in Champaign. The buzz around campus with Lovie coming in. Reported by many. Not a small deal. It makes the difference to get over the hump.

Look, U of I has an entirely new Admin top to bottom across the board.

A new vibe? One would hope? And difficult after the Beckman mess.

Results? Give it time. But you have no facts that Illinois is on the rebound or trending up.

UNC game? Context. Last year isn't this year and vice versa.

Illinois isn't and hasn't ever been a football school. A sea change would need to occur. It has been tried numerous times. About the only blip was under Mike White and that was because he cheated.

A WMU win is simply a step toward the undefeated season they should have. They have a decent team and relatively tame schedule. If WMU doesn't run the table before a bowl game it will be because the beat themselves. Is Toledo, NIU and CMU good? To an extent. They aren't Kent State. But nothing that WMU couldn't and shouldn't handle.

I think throwing that word out there is a little early for only playing 2 games IMO...

(09-16-2016 09:55 PM)New School Bronco Wrote:  

(09-16-2016 08:48 PM)gobaseline Wrote:  

(09-16-2016 07:50 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:Cubit with a vendetta?

Please.

In Champaign he had a secretary so he was far ahead of what was provided in Kalamazoo.

I don't think having a secretary made him get rid of angst for being swiftly (and by many, questionably) fired and replaced by a young kid who only had any real experience as a WR coach. Vendetta I guess is a strong word, but you know what I mean. More pay as HC, and still more pay as OC to some degree for most his time there, I'm sure that eased his pain when thinking about us. Cubit wouldn't be taking us lightly. Especially with Fleck eyeing to take his place in Illinois (and would if we won, most likely).

Quote:You mention that this years Illini are tougher. What measuring stick are you using? What evidence is there?

A much better game against UNC this time around. A senior QB, and a coach that gets the players fired up a lot with passion. Massively better? Dunno. But playing better, IMO.

Quote:Lovie has the fans "going"? What does that mean?

Like the last game -- a sell out. Hard to come by in Champaign. The buzz around campus with Lovie coming in. Reported by many. Not a small deal. It makes the difference to get over the hump.

Look, U of I has an entirely new Admin top to bottom across the board.

A new vibe? One would hope? And difficult after the Beckman mess.

Results? Give it time. But you have no facts that Illinois is on the rebound or trending up.

UNC game? Context. Last year isn't this year and vice versa.

Illinois isn't and hasn't ever been a football school. A sea change would need to occur. It has been tried numerous times. About the only blip was under Mike White and that was because he cheated.

A WMU win is simply a step toward the undefeated season they should have. They have a decent team and relatively tame schedule. If WMU doesn't run the table before a bowl game it will be because the beat themselves. Is Toledo, NIU and CMU good? To an extent. They aren't Kent State. But nothing that WMU couldn't and shouldn't handle.

I think throwing that word out there is a little early for only playing 2 games IMO...

Weren't you part of the discussion wanting Houston to lose so WMU had a shot at a p5 bowl?!

(09-16-2016 09:41 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:Company guy Bill Jr Todd Johnson up to his same spin act trying to play both sides of the coin while positioning the possible win as something monumental.

I don't think it'd be monumental or close to it. It would be no shock-and-awe if we win.

Quote:WMU should be favored to win every game this season. No reason why not.

Every game? I can think of good reasons why not (@CMU, possibly Toledo), but more data needs to be played out to see how many non-favoreds. There's no reason we shouldn't be Able to Win any game, including Saturday's -- I agree on that. But expected to win, or even at least slight favorites in each one? I don't agree there.

Quote:Results? Give it time. But you have no facts that Illinois is on the rebound or trending up.

The excitement of the fan-base coming into the season. Yes, I'm running on assumption that the players feel the same way with seeing Lovie as the second-coming. Yes, they're making adjustments, but Cubit did actually help clean up that mess already. Lovie comes in to bring a shining light from heaven, from the feelings down there. "The guy who made the Bears win and brought them to the Super Bowl!" Last week brought them back down to earth, but they're going to be motivated to make up for it. And although they don't have their ducks in a row for the ideal team at all (which is why we're favored in Vegas), they're going to be fired up more than if this was Cubit's 2nd year (and Way more if somehow Beckman was staying).

Quote:UNC game? Context. Last year isn't this year and vice versa.

Illinois played better. That's all I'm saying -- although Lunt was off. But it's to be expected that he'll be more on-point this game.

Quote:Illinois isn't and hasn't ever been a football school. A sea change would need to occur.

The change is Lovie. Huge change with all the admin firings at UofIll. They're going to be investing it in. But yes, it's just the 1st year. But it doesn't take a football school in the B1G that's fired up and changing, to not be able to beat us when motivated. You're treating this as if Beckman's still the coach or something. I'm not. I see them improving reasonably as opposed to having a real bad season in the 1st year of Lovie. That's what he'll bring.

Quote:A WMU win is simply a step toward the undefeated season they should have. They have a decent team and relatively tame schedule. If WMU doesn't run the table before a bowl game it will be because the beat themselves. Is Toledo, NIU and CMU good? To an extent. They aren't Kent State.

WMU aren't in a position to have an undefeated season. They should be expected to. The D isn't there (yet) and most the toughest games are early in the season.

Yes, Toledo & CMU are good. But they're just as much in position to beat us as us to them. I would say slight edge to us with Toledo at home (but them wanting revenge, knocking them out of rankings at end of year; they do not forget) -- and slight edge to a strong CMU team in Mt Pleasant, which no, at this Rate (we'll see) shouldn't be favored against (but they shouldn't be favored by too much).

I'm not trying to be a Debbie Downer... just realistic. I know you'll hate me, but I just threw $200 on Illinois +3.

I'm just trying to BUY a WMU victory, here! :) Wish for me to lose! I know I am!!

Fish or cut bait.

You said a mouthful and you're right back where you started. Coulda, woulda, shoulda, kinda and when I know I'll tellya.

Be it Cubit or Smith Illinois blows. They have little talent. Nickerson is the exception but he isn't a game changer.

Don't confuse fans doing the wave as enthusiasm. 90% wouldn't no a red zone from a Red Bull.

Don't confuse a twitch as a result of rigor mortis setting after being moved by Lovie with a buzz around campus. Before Lovie was dismissed much of the Bear fan base complained he wasn't emotional enough. Ditka like. Those same fans are U of I alums and students now. Sleep walking.

Lovie is a very good coach IMO. Exciting and buzz creating? Physically impossible. It's not in him. Which is fine. One of the many reasons Mrs. Smith found him so appealing.

Re the undefeated season ... a certainty unless the kids aren't prepared. No one on the schedule has more talent. No one. And we know we have the best staff. They told us so or at least the HC has.

Quote:Why shouldn't they be expected to win every game? Just your grasps above can be seriously debated as "expected wins".

Very possible wins, but I wouldn't say expected. IMO, anything even, or small-pt Vegas underdogs/favs would not = expected. With our unproven D and seeing it's holes due to youth, it makes winning less consistent. But in the end -- yes more than merely possible with even the toughest.

Quote:Illinois, in terrible shape after the Beckman debacle. It's still under repair, the hood is still up, they're nowhere close to where they want to end up. Lovie is in his third game there, he's barely had time to get to know his staff.

I don't see it that way. I see them being post-Beckman, but in transition for coach-hopping. I totally understand they're not near their aimed prime-time under Lovie yet, but they don't have to be to have the best brought out in them. I don't see Illinois like playing a random-year Indiana team. Maybe I'm being too optimistic about Illinois+Lovie? Possibly. For anything kinda 'new', it's been only 2 weeks, so it's too early to tell where everything stands & what to truly expect (our D; Illinois as a whole).

Quote:@CMU, we beat them two years in a row, we have the program in place, they're still on the upswing. He's starting his second season. No reason NOT to expect a win there.

No Enos + playing @CMU isn't good. Our history is not good going in there. CMU's better than last year. And it's @CMU, which is a important thing. EXPECT a win? Can't see it as an Expectation to (strong favorites), from the outside looking in. They have a better Defense than us, and even though our O is better & more solid, their O is good. In a rivalry, anything's possible. But @CMU? Can't Expect.

Quote:@Toledo? That guy is in his first year, we beat them with their main guy last year. That was there, we have them at home.

True, but their coach has been a part of their squad, so he's nobody 'new', being hired within. They at least seem to have come in not missing a beat. Good thing is, it's late in the season playing them so we'll know better later on.

Quote:Lovie is a very good coach IMO. Exciting and buzz creating? Physically impossible. It's not in him. Which is fine. One of the many reasons Mrs. Smith found him so appealing.

Just his presence. 1st year bringing a buzz. It does carry into the players, and I'm sure the players even without the fans feel it. Won't last forever of course, but it's a shot of Red Bull that's very good for coach-transitioning. Meaning that the emotions of the players aren't going to be down due to mishaps, unoptimal execution, etc under yet-another-coach in a 3 year span. We won't be able to benefit much from that, is my position.

Quote:And we know we have the best staff. They told us so or at least the HC has.

Okay, NOW I'm sold! I have no worries anymore!! Phew!!!

I'm kind of excited to see the game played.

That coaching staff we are facing is first rate. Many connections back to WMU, and a ton of NFL experience.

From that aspect, it will be a challenge to keep up with them. They will be well prepared, and they will make adjustments quickly. That does not mean their players can execute.

In a funny way, I'm willing to just let the best team win. And I think we are a pretty dang good team.

Reading Illinois boards, many express optimism but say that Lovie is trying to run a new system without the personnel yet to do it. Injuries on the OL, the tendency of Lunt to throw off his back foot are all concerns expressed by fans.

They DO have a DE that will be cause for concern.

But I'm with Dirty on this one. Just play the game. Play loose and bring the heat. Regardless of what happens, it will not affect our shot at the MAC West and MACC. So....cut it loose and let 'er rip. These Broncos are good.