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Know the foe: Illinois

bullsmeanbusiness
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bullsmeanbusiness Toro Magnifico

bullsmeanbusiness

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Posted

 

A look at Illinois, which plays No. 22 USF on Friday at Raymond James Stadium

Nickame: Fighting Illini
'16 record: 3-9
'17 record: 2-0 (def. Ball State 24-21, def. Western Kentucky 20-7)
Coach: Lovie Smith (second season, 5-9)

The breakdown: Smith, fired as Bucs coach 20 months ago, already has used 17 true freshmen this season. He started a school-record seven (three on defense) against Western Kentucky, and the Illini held the Hilltoppers -- quarterbacked by former USF starter Mike White -- to fewer than 10 points for the first time in five years. WKU managed 6 rushing yards in that game, its lowest output since at least 2000. Among the most impressive rookies so far has been Largo High alumnus Bobby Roundtree, a 6-foot-5 defensive end who had two sacks and a forced fumble against WKU, and already has three sacks this season. Offensively, Smith employed an entirely different starting line from the one he used against Ball State, and the Illini ran for 193 yards (after rushing for 71 against Ball State). As one might expect with Smith's background, the offense appears pro-style, and opened with two tight ends against WKU. Freshman Mike Esptein, who played at Fort Lauderdale dynasty St. Thomas Aquinas, had 21 carries for 111 yards against the Hilltoppers. 

Odds and ends: Beloved former Bucs LB Hardy Nickerson is Smith's defensive coordinator, while former Bucs CB Donnie Abraham is the defensive backs coach. Abraham will be facing his son, Bulls senior S Devin Abraham, on Friday. ... Roundtree is among three former bay area prep standouts on the Illini roster. The others are LB Tre Watson (Tampa Catholic) and LB Jake Hansen (East Lake). ... Senior WR Malik Turner has caught a pass in 22 consecutive games. ... Backup QB Jeff George Jr. is the son of the former Illini/NFL journeyman starter.

Audible: "I'm not one of those touchy-feely guys like that. I mean, I spent a lot of time down there. I'm a homeowner still down there, I know the area. ... I remember when (the Bulls) first started their program, so you know, we have some of that, but our football team needs to get a road win, not a whole lot more than that." -- Smith, responding to a question about returning to Tampa

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GaUSFBull Toro Magnifico

GaUSFBull

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Best intangible thing we have going for us is that Lovie seemed to be allergic to wins at Ray Jay as Bucs coach.  

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bullstampede9922 Mentor

bullstampede9922

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Anyone else have knots in their stomach over this one?  Stout defensive line against the run and a short practice week?  Gilbert better game plan to spread them out and sling it this week. 

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Publix Substitution Enthusiast

Publix Substitution

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5 minutes ago, bullstampede9922 said:

Anyone else have knots in their stomach over this one?  Stout defensive line against the run and a short practice week?  Gilbert better game plan to spread them out and sling it this week. 

I do. I know that I completely sacrificed a normally strict training routine/diet this week because of the hurricane. I'm afraid the players may have a combination of exhaustion and conditioning as well.

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bullsfan27 Toro Magnifico

bullsfan27

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Our first big challenge of the season. Offense must open up and execute

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NewEnglandBull Toro Magnifico

NewEnglandBull

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Just now, Publix Substitution said:

I do. I know that I completely sacrificed a normally strict training routine/diet this week because of the hurricane. I'm afraid the players may have a combination of exhaustion and conditioning as well.

They practed on Thursday. Pretty sure 18-22 year olds don't lose conditioning in five day. 

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Publix Substitution Enthusiast

Publix Substitution

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Just now, NewEnglandBull said:

They practed on Thursday. Pretty sure 18-22 year olds don't lose conditioning in five day. 

You're probably right, maybe it's just the aging me thinking. Still a little concerned about distractions but hopefully I'm wrong.

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GaUSFBull Toro Magnifico

GaUSFBull

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5 minutes ago, Publix Substitution said:

I know that I completely sacrificed a normally strict training routine/diet this week because of the hurricane. 

Ha, I know the feeling ... power was out last night and I had a lapse in food judgment that I haven't had in a while.  

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Triple B Toro Magnifico

Triple B

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1 minute ago, NewEnglandBull said:

They practed on Thursday. Pretty sure 18-22 year olds don't lose conditioning in five day. 

I was wondering when the last practice they had was and hoping it was Thursday. They will have had plenty of practice between games. This isn't about game planning for a specific team, it's about OUR execution (enter John McKay quip).

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usfgrad84 Toro Magnifico

usfgrad84

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Posted

I wasn't nervous for any of the other games. A little nervous about them being in sync and timing. 

 

Nationally televised game. Gilbert and Strong really need to shine in this one. I the Q needs a big game too. 

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