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Post by mango on Sept 22, 2009 11:53:48 GMT -5
20:1 odds that Illini beat PSU if PSU's friday night game is a cakewalk.
5:1 odds that Illini best PSU if PSU's friday night game is peppered with multiple blocked hitting attempts and digs.
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Post by smiley on Sept 22, 2009 12:06:38 GMT -5
I think it would be just the opposite. If they have a tough match the night before they'll be more determined to play better the next night. It's hard to catch PSU on a off night, two in a row? Pretty much not going to happen.
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Post by Babar on Sept 22, 2009 12:26:16 GMT -5
IMO it is more likely for Penn State to run the table in the Big 10 then to lose to Illinois on Saturday night. Why? Three teams, Penn State, Nebraska, and Florida have dominated their conferences because their coaches are obsessed with not losing to a weaker opponent. The same was true with Texas when Haley was coaching them in the Southwest Conference. The talent level on a consistent top 5 program is dramatically different than the talent level in a top twenty program. When coaches like Rose, Wise, Cook and Haley lose it is not because they or their team was not prepared . . it is because the opponent executed at a higher level. Could it happen. Yes but it is highly unlikely on the first conference weekend. The difference between Penn State's talent and experience and Illinois is greater than the difference between Illinois and the weakest team in the Big 10.
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Post by Wiswell on Sept 22, 2009 12:43:50 GMT -5
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Post by pennstate7188 on Sept 22, 2009 12:45:49 GMT -5
If you read what I wrote I said IF they go in with that attitude. I don't believe I even mentioned Russ. I doubt if ANY coach, let alone someone as good as Russ, would claim their team was unbeatable. But PLAYERS do read and listen to their fans. PSU is the better team but the better team SOMETIMES loses. While not top 10 teams Illinois has beaten some pretty good teams. Not going to happen. Sorry.
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Post by smiley on Sept 22, 2009 12:55:38 GMT -5
I think this match should be very interesting. Is PSU any where near as good as they were last year? Has Illinois closed the gap any from last year when they at pushed PSU for a set before getting smacked? Has PSU's soft pre-conference prepared the for B10 play?
I THINK PSU has lost enough to be beatable but until someone actually does it's just my opinion. Having said that I don't think anyone will lose less matches than them.
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Post by Keystonekid on Sept 22, 2009 13:40:36 GMT -5
Texas is going to run the table, and I think its possible that UW can as well. As brutal as the Pac10 schedule is, I think the gap between UW and #2 (whoever that is) is fairly significant. I think the gap between UT and the Big 12 is huuuuuge!
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Post by aced on Sept 22, 2009 13:51:05 GMT -5
;Dabsolutely Illinois can beat them. This is going to be the year of upsets remember? I'd tell Washington not to get too comfortable as well. I see on this board there is a dangerous tendency for the top 5 teams to be oh so complacent and smug about their rankings. You'd think they were already in the FF. SC and Oregon who are quietly waiting may give Washington a run for their money in the Pac 10.
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Post by OverAndUnder on Sept 22, 2009 14:48:28 GMT -5
Minnesota and Florida haven't gelled as quickly as many people thought, but they're still good teams. Washington's sweeps of both, along with inconsistent performance from the rest of the conference, indicates that the Huskies may encounter little difficulty in winning the PAC10 after all.
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Post by aced on Sept 22, 2009 15:10:48 GMT -5
Minnesota and Florida haven't gelled as quickly as many people thought, but they're still good teams. Washington's sweeps of both, along with inconsistent performance from the rest of the conference, indicates that the Huskies may encounter little difficulty in winning the PAC10 after all. I believe Oregon just beat Minnesota as well. SC hasn't had a very challenging schedule but they have only lost one preseason match I believe. I have no doubts WU is good - but how far above the rest of the PAC 10 I think remains to be seen.
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Post by qc on Sept 22, 2009 17:12:15 GMT -5
Will Illinois Upset Penn State?
Absolutely. > Room service at the Hotel will be slow and surly. > Have you ever eaten in Urbana? > The ball will be Orange and Blue. > Laura Bush was an Academic All-American (twice) at Illinois (and you know how PSU feels about the Bush administration.)
I'm sure PSU will be very upset about having to visit Huff Hall.
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Post by rogero1 on Sept 23, 2009 1:18:03 GMT -5
20:1 odds that Illini beat PSU if PSU's friday night game is a cakewalk. 5:1 odds that Illini best PSU if PSU's friday night game is peppered with multiple blocked hitting attempts and digs. Penn State will have a cakewalk with Northwestern the night before. NU's blocking stats are deceptive with their level of competition. In fact, I doubt that NU gets more than 5 blocks for the match (unless PSU decides they want to hit just over the tape). If Northwestern beats Penn State, I will change my name to "Willie the Wildcat".
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Post by pennstate7188 on Sept 23, 2009 1:37:48 GMT -5
Love it. Haha.
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Post by qc on Sept 23, 2009 5:07:07 GMT -5
This and the @ Minny match are the two most concerning, I think. @ Illinois is a huge early-conference-schedule test. I think PSU might lose a set, but will take the match. I think that this and the Minnesota match won't be an issue, considering how Minnesota has been playing against ranked opponents recently. I think the bigger tests will be against Michigan at home, and possibly Michigan State at home. Michigan State is no team to underestimate... Natalie Emro is very similar to Ashley Engle, minus the 2 years of experience lol. I'm actually kind of surprised that the posters here don't see Michigan as a threat, as they are the second-highest Big Ten ranked team in the AVCA poll... If we live in Texas and misunderestimate Michigan State, this is acceptable?
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Post by qc on Sept 23, 2009 5:11:13 GMT -5
Minnesota and Florida haven't gelled as quickly as many people thought, but they're still good teams. Washington's sweeps of both, along with inconsistent performance from the rest of the conference, indicates that the Huskies may encounter little difficulty in winning the PAC10 after all. Cal was supposed to be one of the experienced Pac-10 teams. Why have they had so much trouble?
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