Illinois State is licking their chops after

[PlutoDroid]

no but schools do assign people to read certain message boards of teams they are going to play.

True, but I think they monitor their tweets and Instagram posts as well. Its for the players well beings off the field sure but has little to do with actual game planning. Unless theres actual inside information being leaked I doubt they gather anything but a chuckle.

 

[jberesford]

I recall a feisty Ball State team that wasn't supposed to be that good either...........

They weren't good. Finished 5-7, 5th place in the MAC West. They hung with Iowa, but so did UNI the week before, and Iowa State won the week after. One of their 2 wins. Look back at how ridiculous that schedule was. There's a reason a 6-6 SEC team was up 35-7 at the half last January.

 

[Ronman]

I've long felt that Ferentz looks at each contest as a chance to improve the team. If we lose, well, "That's Football." Unfortunately, every other coach is looking at each contest as a chance to win a football game and Illinois St., I'm sure, is looking at Iowa as a wounded duck who's defeat would be a feather in their FBS hat.

 

[cidsports]

They weren't good. Finished 5-7, 5th place in the MAC West. They hung with Iowa, but so did UNI the week before, and Iowa State won the week after. One of their 2 wins. Look back at how ridiculous that schedule was. There's a reason a 6-6 SEC team was up 35-7 at the half last January.

Ball State lost to Iowa, but in 2013 opened vs. Illinois State 51-28.

Illinois State hasn't won back to back trips to the FCS Playoffs, since 1998-1999.

Iowa returns 12 starters, Illinois State 11 starters. Each have new OTs.

UNI beat both ND State and Illinois State in the MVfC, but the Panthers lost to Indiana State and South Dakota State. UNI lost opener of the season over Iowa, as well, in 2014.

Iowa should win 50th FCS game and become 13-0 in FCS games, since 1978.

Illinois State is 0-8 vs. Big Ten, and 38 ppg has been the average loss, but the Iowa vs. Illinois State game will likely be more like the 2007 Illinois State at Missouri game.

We shall see how the 2015 College Football Season goes.

Eastern Illinois and UNI are big games in the first half of the 2015 season for Illinois State. ISU is #2 in the FCS.

In 2013, Illinois State entered the season in the FCS Top 10, but lost season road opener vs. Ball State ...

On Iowa!