⚡ CFB Dashboard

Save the nuclear option. They aren't changing coaches. There is also obviously no waiver wire in college football, so the roster is the roster. One of most predictable things with this team is that we would be talking about the defensive scheme in week 3 and how to fix it. All off season, we talked about whether the 3-3-5 can work at this level, and if Illinois had the athletes to make it work. So, what do you do? If Bielema wants to make major changes, he better make them this week so they can work on them against an inferior opponent in SIU. Next up, a brutal trip to Columbus. There is no quick fix. There isn't a ton of high level talent, so it is a long term fix that requires more resources. But...here are a few things I would do... * Stand Will Holmes up on two feet and line him up as a rush linebacker in the mold of Gabe Jacas. Then keep him on the field. Right now, he is only playing about half of the defensive snaps. This doesn't require a schematic overhaul. There is flexibility with the scheme and they show multiple fronts. So its a tweak, not a radical change. * The Mason Murigan experiment at MIKE linebacker should be over. I'm not saying completely bench him, but he is not a starting linebacker in the Big Ten. He's a tweener who never really found a home at this level. I would play Ean Rhea at the MIKE and utilize this speed. * There also must be an alternative to James Kreutz. He is just not a Big Ten level athlete. I would give freshman Cam Thomas a shot. He's a plus athlete and he has put on the necessary muscle since arriving on campus for spring ball. * You have to find a way to take the pressure off of the second and third tier defenders. Tackling Power 4 running backs one-on-one in space is hard, and Illinois will face a plethora of physical Big Ten backs over the remainder of the schedule. The Illinois defense is a mess up front. * In a 3-man front, stuffing the run starts with the nose tackle, and Darrell Prater ain't it. Although PFF isn't entirely reliable, his 29.8 tackling grade through two games is a red flag. He has a decent get-off, but gets pushed around and is not instinctual. * So, I would give the underclassmen a shot up front. Freshmen King Liggins had a good spring and is way more talented than Prater. They are obviously reluctant to throw a true freshman in the mix, but they have to throw caution to the wind and give him a chance. What do you have to lose? * At defensive end, Parker Crim is the quickest among all of the DEs. Tony Balanganayi has star potential eventually IMO, though he is raw. So, play them. If they don't play and don't get paid, they won't be back next year. Then you are really F'ed. * Move Xavier Scott to cornerback and play freshman Nick Hankins at nickel. They gave Hankins reps there in fall camp. Then, its a three-way battle between Juice Clark, Jakwon Morris, and Tywon Cox to start at the other corner spot. None of those three has been consistent through the first two games. * With tackling issues in the back end (other than Matthew Bailey), why not give sophomore Andre Lovett Jr. a look? Physical play in the box is his strength. He's an excellent tackler and big hitter. He is also another guy who could depart via the portal if you don't play him. FS Mac Resetich hasn't give up the deep ball, but his man has been targeted 6 times and has 5 catches for 47 yards (9.4 avg.). He missed 3 tackles vs. Duke. * Strategically, there isn't much they can do differently, IMO. They have been pretty aggressive. They blitzed a ton vs. UAB with mixed results. They blitzed on 62% of Walker Eget's drop backs and forced some incompletions, but had just one sack and 2 total pressures. * Ohio State might have 500 yards of offense against Illinois if they don't figure something out fast. * Anyone remember what happened at Michigan when Rich Rodriquez installed the 3-3-5 stack defense? Total disaster. He was fired after going 6-18 in the Big Ten over three seasons. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.