There isn’t really anybody connected to Illini football right now who is extremely happy about the Tim Beckman hire. If you could write a Hollywood script about the worst possible debut season for a college football coach, you would recap Beckman’s 2012 Illini. Then, in order to make the story believable, you would change some of those losses to wins and add some positive experiences.
Beckman himself sounded apologetic and dejected after the 50-14 loss to Northwestern. What makes that loss even more ridiculous is the fact Illinois has four players taken in the NFL Draft, and Northwestern had zero. Illini football was winless in conference play, Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State combined to outscore Illinois 132-29.
Illini football reasons to get EXCITED! ALL CAPS! Uhmmmmmmmm……..uhhhhhhh……….hmmmmmmmmm……uh…….well, 2012 is over. And all but three of the Illini games were unwatchable after the second quarter in 2012. And Tim Beckman has hauled in some impressive recruits for down the line. Not this year, the incoming class is beyond terrible. However, future classes should be fine. QBs Wes Lunt and Aaron Bailey are coming to Champaign. Even if no one seems to be able to block for them. And Beckman might not even be there to coach them. Possibly. Also, the defense only returns three starters. Wait, that’s a good thing? Yes.
Did you see how many points the Illini surrendered in 2012?
Illini football reasons to be worried :( Oh Lord, how much time do you have? You know how I often write in a silly, fun tone? With snarky comments like STEAKS AND CAKES! Yeah, I’m not doing that here. The dire straits of the program are no laughing matter. Ask any alum, faculty member, casual fan etc., they’re not smiling or giggling about….the horrible regression of QB Nathan Scheelhaase, the cataclysmic horror of the OL performance last season, the lack of experience in the secondary, the lack of depth/experience in the defensive front seven, the fact that Illinois was dead last in the nation in plays of 30+ yards, the 119th ranked offense, the 119th ranked scoring offense (there’s only 120 teams) the 106th ranked turnover margin, the defection of most of the team’s talent to the NFL, the…..the the…..well, you get the idea.
Illini football key games: Obviously, writing this season preview has put me into a morose mood and a despondent state. So here’s where I get all cheery and optimistic. Aug 31st vs Southern Illinois, they can bet a FCS school right? I think so. Even last year’s team did. Sept 14th vs. Washington at Soldier Field, chance to win back fans and influence people in the most important epicenter of the Illini alumni base. Gotta find a way to pull that one out, correct? September 28th versus Miami of Ohio- that’s very winnable. November 9th at Indiana, also winnable…so let’s say my glass half full approach here is accurate, 4-8! That’s DOUBLE the win total from last year. To quote Disco Stu from The Simpsons, “did you know disco record sales went up 500% for the year ended 1974? If these results continue…..”
Okay, maybe I shouldn’t have posted that picture. Illini football won’t be reaching the Rose Bowl anytime soon, but still.
Illini football bottom line: 2-10-to 4-8ish. 6-6 would be an absolute miracle. I’ve heard Illini beat writers say off the record that they believe Beckman could likely be gone after the 2013 season. Unless of course he shows a tremendous improvement. I know what you’re saying, just two years? That’s all he gets? It sounds crazy, but you saw what a disaster of all disasters 2012 was. If anything resembling that occurs again in 2013, don’t you think a Tim Beckman buyout is perfectly justified?
Sure you want to give him time to coach his own guys and look at the long view, but the cost in the short term is so high…Tim Beckman needs to win some Big Ten games this fall to keep his job.
the 2013 College Football rankings 1-51
Indiana
Iowa
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net. (“Quasi-endorsed” by Philadelphia Eagles Coach Chip Kelly) He’s also an author who contributes regularly to MSN, Fox Sports , Chicago Now, Walter Football.com and Yardbarker
Banks has appeared on the History Channel, as well as ESPN and CBS radio all over the world. The NFL, NBA expert does a weekly spot for 95.7 The Fan. President Barack Obama follows him on Twitter (@PaulMBanks), like him on Facebook