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The Trench Report: Wisconsin

The Trench Report: Wisconsin

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

October 3, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics) 

As I type this the news is coming out that Wisconsin has fired head coach Paul Chryst after Illinois took his Badger team to the woodshed on Saturday.  While that seems like a rash move to me considering that Chryst was 9-4 last year and is 67-26 and 43-18 in the Big Ten in his 7 1/2 years in Madison, I have to say that as I'm re-watching the game all I can see are examples of Illinois looking like the better-coached team.  Illinois is not more talented than Wisconsin, but they outworked and out-executed Wisconsin on Saturday and the difference between the two teams was especially stark in the second half as Wisconsin looked defeated in all three phases.  Now to this game:

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The Farrell Report - Potential Effects of Chryst Firing on Illini Recruiting

The Farrell Report - Potential Effects of Chryst Firing on Illini Recruiting

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

October 3, 2022

(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)

There are lots of big happenings with Illinois and Wisconsin in the span of 48 hours.

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Illinois Receives Votes in Latest AP Top 25 Poll

Illinois Receives Votes in Latest AP Top 25 Poll

Three Associated Press Top 25 pollsters voted Illinois on their ballots for this week. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

October 2, 2022

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- For the first time since 2019, voters have put the name ‘Illinois’ on their weekly submitted Associated Press Top 25 ballots. 

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Wisconsin Fires Paul Chryst; Promotes DC Jim Leonhard as Interim Head Coach

Wisconsin Fires Paul Chryst; Promotes DC Jim Leonhard as Interim Head Coach

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

October 2, 2022

MADISON, Wis. --- Paul Chryst has been terminated in the middle of his eighth season as head football coach at the University of Wisconsin. 

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Illini Offer Rakease Passmore

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Illini Offer Rakease Passmore

Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting 

October 2, 2022

The Illinois men's basketball staff refuses to rest.

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Heat Checks & Hail Marys - Bielema Puts the B1G on Notice

Heat Checks & Hail Marys - Bielema Puts the B1G on Notice

Mike Cagley, IlliniGuy Cover photo courtesy of Steve Apps […]

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Still Chasing Brown: Illini Tailback Likely Maintains Status As Nation’s Leading Rusher

Still Chasing Brown: Illini Tailback Likely Maintains Status As Nation’s Leading Rusher

Illinois tailback Chase Brown is suddenly in the conversation for awards and honors that no Illini running back has seen in decades. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

Cover Photo: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

October 1, 2022

MADISON, Wis. --- Chase Brown just isn’t ready to give up that title of nation’s leading rusher. 

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When Illinois Says Wisconsin, They’ve Said It All…As In, It’s All Over

When Illinois Says Wisconsin, They’ve Said It All…As In, It’s All Over

Illinois may be ready to make a play for […]

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IlliniGuys Game Predictions versus Wisconsin

IlliniGuys Game Predictions versus Wisconsin

October 1, 2022 The Illini looked magnificent against the […]

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A New, Adaptive Bret Bielema Arrives For His Return to Madison

A New, Adaptive Bret Bielema Arrives For His Return to Madison

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema admits to having a different mentality as a football coach and a person as he returns to Camp Randall Stadium for the first time in a decade. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

October 1, 2022

Game Preview: Illinois at Wisconsin

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Sturdy Breaks Down the Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn Commit

Sturdy Breaks Down the Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn Commit

Brad Sturdy, IlliniGuy

September 30, 2022

The Skinny

The Illini landed their 2nd commitment in the class of 2023 on Friday when Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn joined the Fighting Illini.

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Breaking: 2023 PG Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn Commits To Brad Underwood's Illini

Breaking: 2023 PG Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn Commits To Brad Underwood's Illini

By Larry Smith & Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Staff

September 30, 2022

Illini basketball coach Brad Underwood and his staff continue to excel in recruiting with another commitment in the class of 2023 today.

Monteverde (Fla.) Academy point guard Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn gave his pledge this morning after his visit to campus last week.

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Illini Football Notebook: McCray Not Active; Bielema Monitoring Hurricane Ian For Florida Native Illini Players

Illini Football Notebook: McCray Not Active; Bielema Monitoring Hurricane Ian For Florida Native Illini Players

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema and his staff continue to monitor the path of Hurricane Ian for the families of several of the program’s roster players and recruits. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 30, 2022

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- For the third straight game this season, Josh McCray will not be on the Illinois active roster. 

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The Farrell Report - Another Massive JUCO Lineman

The Farrell Report - Another Massive JUCO Lineman

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

September 30, 2022

(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
Dezmond Schuster courtesy player Twitter page.

Not a ton new going on with Illini recruiting

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Illini Offense Determined to Protect Chase Brown’s ‘Nation’s Leading Rusher’ Title

Illini Offense Determined to Protect Chase Brown’s ‘Nation’s Leading Rusher’ Title

For the first time since 2010, Illinois has the Big Ten’s leading rusher as Chase Brown leads the country with 151 rushing yards per game. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 29, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Pat Pierson/Illinois Athletics

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Despite it being listed as an individual statistic, Illinois is considering the fact that Chase Brown is currently the nation’s leading rusher as a team ordeal. 

For the first time in a decade, the Illini program has one of the nation’s best running back numbers in terms of Brown’s yards (604) and yards per game (151). And when he was reminded of this idea following a 31-0 win over Chattanooga last Thursday night, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema was less than surprised. 

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