2019 Wish List and Expectations

[MadBird]

I forgot to mention kicking game, thanks for including it, TR and fourthandshort, saxman mentioned it at the start. It was a sore spot, at least as far as consistent place kicking is concerned. I was not an Uphoff fan, the games I saw live it just didn't look to me like he hit the hole with any explosiveness. He's relatively tall, he hit the holes standing up, blah blah blah. His numbers turned out pretty good, so I don't know what to think. But you know, seems like there's always candidates for KR on a roster, a WR here or DB there. As pointed out, Schnell needs to be replaced.

 

[fourthandshort]

My take on KR Uphoff ... yes he is more upright. But he sees the field very well to find the lanes and then has enough break away speed to take advantage. He's not good In small space like a Schnell. But he is very good in open space. Recall several penalties on his KRs that we lost lot of field position ... or his KR avg would have been even higher. If we can block at all .. I want Uphoff returning every kick. He is serious threat if people block ... not so much if they dont.

 

[DaveBird10]

For me it's easy give me a kicker as I feel that cost us the missouri state game and a WR to go along with Edgar. Running game is great but need Davis and recievers too catch up for this team to improve.

Defense is young and ready for next year.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

 

[Virginia Redbird]

My wish for 2019 is to recruit a QB not to play in 2019 but down the road. It does not seem to me that ISU has recruited well at this position, at least out of high school. Tre was a transfer from Indiana U and Davis is a transfer from Memphis. Kolbe was recruited out of Naperville High but obviously he did not develop as the coaching staff maybe expected. Lots of reasons for that possibly beyond Kolbe's control (multiple OC's and young OL his first year as two examples). It would be nice to see the Redbirds recruit a quality player at QB and bring him up through the system, a three (maybe four) year starter would be nice. Tre got off to kind of a slow start early on in his Redbird career but then he took off. Davis was up and down this season. Maybe next year will be better for him, I would expect so. Still, QB is arguably the most important position on the field. Would that not be a position you would like to have for 4-5 years in the program and develop in the system?
I could be all wrong on this. Jim Harbaugh has lived his first four years at Michigan on transfer QBs and this season it seems to have finally worked for him. Still it is kind of surprising to me that Harbaugh, a former NFL QB and credited as a QB mentor, has not been able to recruit a QB and bring one through the system and into the starting lineup. I would think Michigan would be a place that would happen. I really would not say the same for ISU. Coach Spack is a defensive guy and with the exception of the Tre years I would not call ISU offensive minded by any stretch of the imagination. If you are a young hot shot high school QB what is your motivation to come to ISU? Davis is going to be the starter in 2019. My wish for 2019 would be a QB recruited to replace him in 2020...and some receivers for both to work with!

 

[Reggie Redbird]

My wish for 2019 is to recruit a QB not to play in 2019 but down the road. It does not seem to me that ISU has recruited well at this position, at least out of high school. Tre was a transfer from Indiana U and Davis is a transfer from Memphis. Kolbe was recruited out of Naperville High but obviously he did not develop as the coaching staff maybe expected. Lots of reasons for that possibly beyond Kolbe's control (multiple OC's and young OL his first year as two examples). It would be nice to see the Redbirds recruit a quality player at QB and bring him up through the system, a three (maybe four) year starter would be nice. Tre got off to kind of a slow start early on in his Redbird career but then he took off. Davis was up and down this season. Maybe next year will be better for him, I would expect so. Still, QB is arguably the most important position on the field. Would that not be a position you would like to have for 4-5 years in the program and develop in the system?
I could be all wrong on this. Jim Harbaugh has lived his first four years at Michigan on transfer QBs and this season it seems to have finally worked for him. Still it is kind of surprising to me that Harbaugh, a former NFL QB and credited as a QB mentor, has not been able to recruit a QB and bring one through the system and into the starting lineup. I would think Michigan would be a place that would happen. I really would not say the same for ISU. Coach Spack is a defensive guy and with the exception of the Tre years I would not call ISU offensive minded by any stretch of the imagination. If you are a young hot shot high school QB what is your motivation to come to ISU? Davis is going to be the starter in 2019. My wish for 2019 would be a QB recruited to replace him in 2020...and some receivers for both to work with!

Some would argue Jack Baltz (Lincoln-Way East) would be that QB you're looking for to come in and RS the 2019 season. You also have Bryce Jefferson and Tristan Smith waiting in the wings to compete with Davis. If Davis is our guy, he still has two years to go. Someone coming in for a RS year in 2019 would likely be ok if he was carrying a clipboard in 2020. However, does Jefferson, who was a dual threat QB move to another position (like Broadnax). Or is he someone who could beat out or take over from Davis.

If we're going to be a running team behind JR next year, we need to bolster the OL. Himmelman will be your LT, Megginson also a starter. Besides them, you have a lot of guys who could be working for time. Hopefully some guys step up. Some will put on weight; some will bolster their strength.

My key positions for growth/additions: OL help, WR help (or TE who can catch), a pass rusher, and a K.

 

[Chi-bird]

Assuming everybody is back, healthy and progressing .......We very well might be but two stud defensive linemen transfers and perhaps an emerging wide receiver/tight end away from Winning the MVFC

 

[JHBird]

I think we're going to need a slot. I would like to see a guy who runs like a running back. It might be a good spot for Brown if he can catch it. He showed some twitch and broke a few tackles. Jet sweep, bubble, RPO's shovel pass. I'd like to see him out there with Robinson. It would put me on my heels as a DC.

He seems like a Theo Riddick type. He's too small to move the pile, but a perfect third and long back (or slot receiver).

My wish list is short;
1. A 6'4" receiver with hands and some speed. We need somebody to team up with Edgar ( who'll be a star IMO)
2. More passes to our RB's
3. A QB that is a true running threat. Davis should have run more this year. I wonder if he had some kind of minor injury (injuries) that kept him from running more? If you only complete 50 percent of your passes you better be eating up a lot of yards by running.

 

[Total Red]

There's a silver lining to the 6-5 record when it comes to pursuing the wish list. This is an important time of year for recruiting. The P5 FBS schools are wrapping things up and there are always outstanding players out there that aren't spoken for. It takes time to weed through and find them and bring them on board. If you finish better than 6-5 you're likely in the playoffs and focused on that. If you're below 6-5 you have time available to recruit but you may not have a program that is desired by success oriented players. This is a chance for the coaching staff to make target recruits feel wanted with lots of attn and then close the deal.

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

The good news is that ISU returns a lot of starters and experience and in theory they should improve during the off-season? The bad news is that ISU returns a lot of players that are average football players and overall the team likely missing impact players (Robinson a huge exception) next season similar to 2018 season? Which one prevails?

Taking an early guess at each game. Guessing ISU GOES 6 - 6 or wins the NAU game and is 7-5. No playoffs for ISU IN 2018 unless win the NIU game and end up 8-4 . Again playoffs not likely in 2018.

Saturday
Aug. 31 Northern Illinois Football Schedule
at NIU Huskies
Huskie Stadium, Dekalb, IL
prediction. LOSS

Saturday
Sep. 7 Morehead State Football Schedule
Morehead State Eagles
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
PREDICTION....Big WIN



Sep. 14 Eastern Illinois Football Schedule
at Eastern Illinois Panthers
O'Brien Stadium, Charleston, IL
Prediction. Big WIN

Saturday
Sep. 21 Northern Arizona Football Schedule
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
Prediction..close LOSS

Saturday
Oct. 5 North Dakota State Football Schedule
North Dakota State Bison
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
Prediction...BIG LOSS

Saturday
Oct. 12 Southern Illinois Football Schedule
at Southern Illinois Salukis
Saluki Stadium, Carbondale, IL
Prediction.....WIN

Saturday
Oct. 19 Western Illinois Football Schedule
at Western Illinois Fighting Leathernecks
Hanson Field, Macomb, IL
PREDICTION.....Big WIN

Saturday
Oct. 26 Indiana State Football Schedule
Indiana State Sycamores
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
Prediction....Close WIN

Saturday
Nov. 2 Northern Iowa Football Schedule
Northern Iowa Panthers
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
Prediction....Big LOSS

Saturday
Nov. 9 South Dakota State Football Schedule
at South Dakota State Jackrabbits
Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, Brookings, SD
Time TBA ET
Predixtion....Big LOSS

Nov. 16 Missouri State Football Schedule
Missouri State Bears
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
Time TBA ET
Prediction....WIN

Nov. 23 Youngstown State Football Schedule
at Youngstown State Penguins
Stambaugh Stadium, Youngstown, OH
Prediction....Close LOSS

 

[crazzymark]

The good news is that ISU returns a lot of starters and experience and in theory they should improve during the off-season? The bad news is that ISU returns a lot of players that are average football players and overall the team likely missing impact players (Robinson a huge exception) next season similar to 2018 season? Which one prevails?

Taking an early guess at each game. Guessing ISU GOES 6 - 6 or wins the NAU game and is 7-5. No playoffs for ISU IN 2018 unless win the NIU game and end up 8-4 . Again playoffs not likely in 2018.

Saturday
Aug. 31 Northern Illinois Football Schedule
at NIU Huskies
Huskie Stadium, Dekalb, IL
prediction. LOSS

Saturday
Sep. 7 Morehead State Football Schedule
Morehead State Eagles
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
PREDICTION....Big



Sep. 14 Eastern Illinois Football Schedule
at Eastern Illinois Panthers
O'Brien Stadium, Charleston, IL
Prediction. Big WIN

Saturday
Sep. 21 Northern Arizona Football Schedule
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
Prediction..close LOSS

Saturday
Oct. 5 North Dakota State Football Schedule
North Dakota State Bison
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
Prediction...BIG LOSS

Saturday
Oct. 12 Southern Illinois Football Schedule
at Southern Illinois Salukis
Saluki Stadium, Carbondale, IL
Prediction.....WIN

Saturday
Oct. 19 Western Illinois Football Schedule
at Western Illinois Fighting Leathernecks
Hanson Field, Macomb, IL
PREDICTION.....Big WIN

Saturday
Oct. 26 Indiana State Football Schedule
Indiana State Sycamores
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
Prediction....Close WIN

Saturday
Nov. 2 Northern Iowa Football Schedule
Northern Iowa Panthers
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
Prediction....Big LOSS

Saturday
Nov. 9 South Dakota State Football Schedule
at South Dakota State Jackrabbits
Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, Brookings, SD
Time TBA ET
Predixtion....Big LOSS

Nov. 16 Missouri State Football Schedule
Missouri State Bears
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
Time TBA ET
Prediction....WIN

Nov. 23 Youngstown State Football Schedule
at Youngstown State Penguins
Stambaugh Stadium, Youngstown, OH
Prediction....Close LOSS

well aren't you a ray of sunshine!! smh next year is going to be a big season,,,NIU? REALLY? They are weaker than CSU!! ndsu is losing 15 starters to graduation , ysu just not good and UNI was a bad call win. NA didn't make the playoffs...and I guess Edger was just a fluke as a Fr and finished second in the freshmen of the year voting..

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

The good news is that ISU returns a lot of starters and experience and in theory they should improve during the off-season? The bad news is that ISU returns a lot of players that are average football players and overall the team likely missing impact players (Robinson a huge exception) next season similar to 2018 season? Which one prevails?

Taking an early guess at each game. Guessing ISU GOES 6 - 6 or wins the NAU game and is 7-5. No playoffs for ISU IN 2018 unless win the NIU game and end up 8-4 . Again playoffs not likely in 2018.

Saturday
Aug. 31 Northern Illinois Football Schedule
at NIU Huskies
Huskie Stadium, Dekalb, IL
prediction. LOSS

Saturday
Sep. 7 Morehead State Football Schedule
Morehead State Eagles
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
PREDICTION....Big



Sep. 14 Eastern Illinois Football Schedule
at Eastern Illinois Panthers
O'Brien Stadium, Charleston, IL
Prediction. Big WIN

Saturday
Sep. 21 Northern Arizona Football Schedule
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
Prediction..close LOSS

Saturday
Oct. 5 North Dakota State Football Schedule
North Dakota State Bison
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
Prediction...BIG LOSS

Saturday
Oct. 12 Southern Illinois Football Schedule
at Southern Illinois Salukis
Saluki Stadium, Carbondale, IL
Prediction.....WIN

Saturday
Oct. 19 Western Illinois Football Schedule
at Western Illinois Fighting Leathernecks
Hanson Field, Macomb, IL
PREDICTION.....Big WIN

Saturday
Oct. 26 Indiana State Football Schedule
Indiana State Sycamores
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
Prediction....Close WIN

Saturday
Nov. 2 Northern Iowa Football Schedule
Northern Iowa Panthers
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
Prediction....Big LOSS

Saturday
Nov. 9 South Dakota State Football Schedule
at South Dakota State Jackrabbits
Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, Brookings, SD
Time TBA ET
Predixtion....Big LOSS

Nov. 16 Missouri State Football Schedule
Missouri State Bears
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
Time TBA ET
Prediction....WIN

Nov. 23 Youngstown State Football Schedule
at Youngstown State Penguins
Stambaugh Stadium, Youngstown, OH
Prediction....Close LOSS

well aren't you a ray of sunshine!! smh next year is going to be a big season,,,NIU? REALLY? They are weaker than CSU!! ndsu is losing 15 starters to graduation , ysu just not good and UNI was a bad call win. NA didn't make the playoffs...and I guess Edger was just a fluke as a Fr and finished second in the freshmen of the year voting..

Ok Einstein....what is your prediction? Agree Edgar is good. Calling it based upon current info. See title of thread which says “ expectations”

Mark, for the record Massey Ratings has NIU at 73 and CSU at 108. https://www.masseyratings.com/cf/fbs/ratings

 

[ISU85]

Agreed no playoffs in 2018.

 

[fourthandshort]

Agreed no playoffs in 2018.

wait, what !!! We're out of it ?? I thought we got 1st round bye !!!!!

 

[fourthandshort]

The good news is that ISU returns a lot of starters and experience and in theory they should improve during the off-season? The bad news is that ISU returns a lot of players that are average football players and overall the team likely missing impact players (Robinson a huge exception) next season similar to 2018 season? Which one prevails?

Taking an early guess at each game. Guessing ISU GOES 6 - 6 or wins the NAU game and is 7-5. No playoffs for ISU IN 2018 unless win the NIU game and end up 8-4 . Again playoffs not likely in 2018.

Saturday
Aug. 31 Northern Illinois Football Schedule
at NIU Huskies
Huskie Stadium, Dekalb, IL
prediction. LOSS

Saturday
Sep. 7 Morehead State Football Schedule
Morehead State Eagles
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
PREDICTION....Big



Sep. 14 Eastern Illinois Football Schedule
at Eastern Illinois Panthers
O'Brien Stadium, Charleston, IL
Prediction. Big WIN

Saturday
Sep. 21 Northern Arizona Football Schedule
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
Prediction..close LOSS

Saturday
Oct. 5 North Dakota State Football Schedule
North Dakota State Bison
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
Prediction...BIG LOSS

Saturday
Oct. 12 Southern Illinois Football Schedule
at Southern Illinois Salukis
Saluki Stadium, Carbondale, IL
Prediction.....WIN

Saturday
Oct. 19 Western Illinois Football Schedule
at Western Illinois Fighting Leathernecks
Hanson Field, Macomb, IL
PREDICTION.....Big WIN

Saturday
Oct. 26 Indiana State Football Schedule
Indiana State Sycamores
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
Prediction....Close WIN

Saturday
Nov. 2 Northern Iowa Football Schedule
Northern Iowa Panthers
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
Prediction....Big LOSS

Saturday
Nov. 9 South Dakota State Football Schedule
at South Dakota State Jackrabbits
Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, Brookings, SD
Time TBA ET
Predixtion....Big LOSS

Nov. 16 Missouri State Football Schedule
Missouri State Bears
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
Time TBA ET
Prediction....WIN

Nov. 23 Youngstown State Football Schedule
at Youngstown State Penguins
Stambaugh Stadium, Youngstown, OH
Prediction....Close LOSS

well aren't you a ray of sunshine!! smh next year is going to be a big season,,,NIU? REALLY? They are weaker than CSU!! ndsu is losing 15 starters to graduation , ysu just not good and UNI was a bad call win. NA didn't make the playoffs...and I guess Edger was just a fluke as a Fr and finished second in the freshmen of the year voting..

Ok Einstein....what is your prediction? Agree Edgar is good. Calling it based upon current info. See title of thread which says “ expectations”

Mark, for the record Massey Ratings has NIU at 73 and CSU at 108. https://www.masseyratings.com/cf/fbs/ratings

so naive chirbfan ... as if fact checks ever deters Crazzy ... fact checks and spell checks actually. Can't be done with mere human intervention .. this needs technology solution.

Quinnie .. another offseason is here. when are you installing the spell checker for Crazzy's posts ... and can we add a Fact Checker to the forum's offseason wish list too ??

:think: Wait no, I screw up there occassionally ... never mind. So to recap ... no fact checker, just a spell checker. ray:

 

[Virginia Redbird]

The good news is that ISU returns a lot of starters and experience and in theory they should improve during the off-season? The bad news is that ISU returns a lot of players that are average football players and overall the team likely missing impact players (Robinson a huge exception) next season similar to 2018 season? Which one prevails?

Taking an early guess at each game. Guessing ISU GOES 6 - 6 or wins the NAU game and is 7-5. No playoffs for ISU IN 2018 unless win the NIU game and end up 8-4 . Again playoffs not likely in 2018.

Saturday
Aug. 31 Northern Illinois Football Schedule
at NIU Huskies
Huskie Stadium, Dekalb, IL
prediction. LOSS

Saturday
Sep. 7 Morehead State Football Schedule
Morehead State Eagles
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
PREDICTION....Big WIN



Sep. 14 Eastern Illinois Football Schedule
at Eastern Illinois Panthers
O'Brien Stadium, Charleston, IL
Prediction. Big WIN

Saturday
Sep. 21 Northern Arizona Football Schedule
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
Prediction..close LOSS

Saturday
Oct. 5 North Dakota State Football Schedule
North Dakota State Bison
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
Prediction...BIG LOSS

Saturday
Oct. 12 Southern Illinois Football Schedule
at Southern Illinois Salukis
Saluki Stadium, Carbondale, IL
Prediction.....WIN

Saturday
Oct. 19 Western Illinois Football Schedule
at Western Illinois Fighting Leathernecks
Hanson Field, Macomb, IL
PREDICTION.....Big WIN

Saturday
Oct. 26 Indiana State Football Schedule
Indiana State Sycamores
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
Prediction....Close WIN

Saturday
Nov. 2 Northern Iowa Football Schedule
Northern Iowa Panthers
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
Prediction....Big LOSS

Saturday
Nov. 9 South Dakota State Football Schedule
at South Dakota State Jackrabbits
Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, Brookings, SD
Time TBA ET
Predixtion....Big LOSS

Nov. 16 Missouri State Football Schedule
Missouri State Bears
Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL
Time TBA ET
Prediction....WIN

Nov. 23 Youngstown State Football Schedule
at Youngstown State Penguins
Stambaugh Stadium, Youngstown, OH
Prediction....Close LOSS

Chi, I tend to agree with you on all except maybe Youngstown State. The Birds are on the road for that game but I just don't see the Bellini train gathering steam. I think he may have hit the wall like he did in Nebraska. The wildcard to me will be what game will the Birds lose that they should win in 2019? They should have beaten MoState this season and just did not show up with enough to do it. It seems like they drop a game every year that they should win. We will see what next season brings but I have not changed my mind at all about needing a big time QB. Davis will be the starter next season almost for certain. Still, I think you can make a serious argument that while the Birds that went to the National Title game were very talented across the board it was Tre Roberson that was the difference. Without Tre that team is arguably close to what we had last season, a very good running game that will be looking at 8 man fronts all season long and a decent defense that is on the field way too long. Coprich was a terrific running back but how much of his success was tied to Tre's ability and the need for every defense to keep one...or two eyes on him. I hope for improvement with Davis and maybe there is somebody on the bench that will step up. In today's game if you just have a game manager at QB and rely on a strong running game, I think you may have winning records but that is about it.
BTW, congratulations to Trey on the Grey Cup win!

 

[TreRoberson4Heisman]

Anyone know what happened to LB Barajas? Not on the roster this year but still ‘Retweets’ Redbird Football. This would have been his Senior season.