Illinois State

[Digger1]

Five Under-the-Radar FCS Teams to Watch in 2024

Which teams could surprise folks this year?

www.underdogdynasty.com

Five Under-the-Radar FCS Teams to Watch in 2024​

Which teams could surprise folks this year?

2. Illinois State

The Redbirds don’t often get a lot love simply because of where they play and who they play against. The Missouri Valley had six teams qualify for the postseason last fall and yet, Illinois State was still right in the mix and actually had a similar conference record to SIU who made the cut. ISU is close and just needs a few more pieces to push them over the finish line.

Those pieces seem to have come via the portal and, specifically, on the offensive side of the ball. The Redbirds beefed up their O line with the additions of lineman Brandon Smith (Western Michigan) and JJ Guedet (Minnesota). Former Western Michigan tight end Mitch Bartol has also joined the fray as has ex-Kansas State playmakers in QB Jake Rubley and receiver Xavier Loyd. This extra attention to offense is just what Illinois State needed, especially after losing last year’s quarterback Zack Annexstad and top rusher Mason Blakemore.

The other good news for ISU is that they retain several familiar faces. The team’s best receiver, Daniel Sobkowicz, is entering his junior season and is looking to improve on a 933-yard, 10-touchdown showing in 2023. DB Mark Cannon Jr. is also back after leading the team with three picks. It might just be the right mix of new and old for the Redbirds this year as they look to break through the playoff bubble.

 

[MeetTheFerentzes]

Losing to Illinois State opening weekend would really suck, but the entertainment this board would provide would soften the blow quite bit.

 

[lucas80]

I checked, and QB Jake Rubley is the son of T.J.

 

[binsfeldcyhawk2]

Losing to Illinois State opening weekend would really suck, but the entertainment this board would provide would soften the blow quite bit.

No it wouldn't.

 

[hawkjt]

Losing to Illinois State opening weekend would really suck, but the entertainment this board would provide would soften the blow quite bit.

Clearly, you dislike KF more than you like the Hawkeyes.
Sad.

 

[DropitlikeitsHawk]

I checked, and QB Jake Rubley is the son of T.J.

I just checked and I am the son of Brad

 

[MeetTheFerentzes]

Clearly, you dislike KF more than you like the Hawkeyes.
Sad.

That makes no sense based on what I posted. If I said that I wanted Iowa to lose because it would mean one foot out the door for KF, you’d have a point; but csb.

 

[WCFHawk]

It is too bad we didn't have any available scholarships to offer Rubley.

 

[pistachio1999]

Will beat them by 4 TDs.

 

[Heathen Raider]

Be a good opponent that will force Iowa to play a competent Game, perfect tune up Game for the Clowns but if Iowa forgets to show up a Game they could drop.

 

[pistachio1999]

Be a good opponent that will force Iowa to play a competent Game, perfect tune up Game for the Clowns but if Iowa forgets to show up a Game they could drop.

And the Clowns will have UNI that same week.

 

[hawkjt]

That makes no sense based on what I posted. If I said that I wanted Iowa to lose because it would mean one foot out the door for KF, you’d have a point; but csb.

Your posting history is illustrative.

 

[pistachio1999]

Illinois State was 6-5 overall and 4-4 in conference last year. Man that spells greatness. I am scared.

 

[ichawk24]

In 2015, Illinois State was ranked #2 preseason with Indiana transfer Tre Roberson coming in to play QB. Fans on this board spent the entire summer warning everyone how Iowa would be lucky to win.

Iowa led 24-0 after 3 quarters and won 31-14.

 

[Digger1]

I was at the 1989 Tulsa and TJ Rubley game that Iowa won 30-22.

 

[MeetTheFerentzes]

Your posting history is illustrative.

Your statement is still untrue.

 

[LIV4GOD]

I was at the 1989 Tulsa and TJ Rubley game that Iowa won 30-22.

I was there, too. My, did the ball have many funny bounces that day.

 

[hawkjt]

Your statement is still untrue.

All right you have a point.
Evidently you just enjoy hawk fans pain as it would "soften the blow".

Whatever gets you off, I guess.

 

[fezzador]

Will beat them by 4 TDs.

Iowa would have to play seven quarters to score 4 TDs.

That being said, I still expect Iowa to win. It won’t be pretty, but the margin will juuuuust be comfortable enough where folks will breathe a sigh of relief that BF isn’t calling the plays, or (hopefully) the Round Mound of Touchdown (to the other team) doesn’t take a single snap.

 

[pistachio1999]

Iowa would have to play seven quarters to score 4 TDs.

That being said, I still expect Iowa to win. It won’t be pretty, but the margin will juuuuust be comfortable enough where folks will breathe a sigh of relief that BF isn’t calling the plays, or (hopefully) the Round Mound of Touchdown (to the other team) doesn’t take a single snap.

The line will be 21 points or so.

 

[pistachio1999]

In 2015, Illinois State was ranked #2 preseason with Indiana transfer Tre Roberson coming in to play QB. Fans on this board spent the entire summer warning everyone how Iowa would be lucky to win.

Iowa led 24-0 after 3 quarters and won 31-14.

Boogey man syndrome.