Tonight marks the 43rd edition of the annual Braggin' Rights game in St. Louis, a marquee college basketball event that features the Illinois Fighting Illini versus the Missouri Tigers on a neutral court. Despite Mizzou recently dominating this series, the Illini have a 26-16 all-time advantage. Friday also brought news that this series will be extended, as expected, through … [Read more...] about Illini Must Pull Out of Braggin’ Rights Football Series ASAP
Illinois Fighting Illini
Northwestern Wildcats at Illinois Fighting Illini Preview, Prediction, TV Info, Odds
There have certainly been more LOL! Land of Lincoln Trophy games, over the years, than this one. The Northwestern Wildcats will visit the Illinois Fighting Illini as substantial underdogs, despite heading into the game with a slightly better record. NU has already clinched bowl qualification while the Illini need to win this game in order to go bowling. It's somewhat … [Read more...] about Northwestern Wildcats at Illinois Fighting Illini Preview, Prediction, TV Info, Odds
Dick Butkus Candid on Steroids, Concussion Crisis (EXCLUSIVE)
The passing of football icon Dick Butkus was just announced, via a public statement from his family. “The Butkus family confirms that football and entertainment legend Dick Butkus died peacefully in his sleep overnight at home in Malibu, California,” the statement reads. “The Butkus family is gathering with Dick’s wife Helen. They appreciate your prayers and support. … [Read more...] about Dick Butkus Candid on Steroids, Concussion Crisis (EXCLUSIVE)
Dick Butkus Sees ‘golden opportunity’ to Turn Illini Around
Dick Butkus has passed away at the age of 80. To honor this icon, we now re-publish the exclusive that we had with the middle linebacker extraordinaire in July of 2017 in three parts. Part One Dick Butkus Getting Candid on the Concussion Crisis, Steroid Epidemic Part Two Dick Butkus Describing the Golden Opportunity for Illini Football Part Three Dick … [Read more...] about Dick Butkus Sees ‘golden opportunity’ to Turn Illini Around
Dick Butkus: “what the hell?” Keeps the Chicago Bears Down (EXCLUSIVE)
Dick Butkus has passed away at the age of 80. To honor this icon, we now re-publish the exclusive that we had with the middle linebacker extraordinaire at the Illini Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony, in three parts. Part One Dick Butkus Getting Candid on the Concussion Crisis, Steroid Epidemic Part Two Dick Butkus Describing the Golden Opportunity for Illini … [Read more...] about Dick Butkus: “what the hell?” Keeps the Chicago Bears Down (EXCLUSIVE)
Illini Football Replaying Their Unfortunate History
The Illini football program just seems allergic to consistent success. The last time Illinois went to back-to-back bowl games was 2010-2011, and that was with two six-win regular seasons. The last time Illini football went bowling to consecutive years before that was 1991-1992, and again, it was with two six-win regular seasons. So there have been times when Illini Football … [Read more...] about Illini Football Replaying Their Unfortunate History
Illini Football vs #7 Penn State Game Preview, Prediction
This is not what you need right now if you're Illini football coach Bret Bielema and his team. #7 Penn State, who currently rank among the top 20 nationally in both scoring offense and scoring defense, are coming to down. The Nittany Lions are sixth in scoring off, averaging 50.5 ppg, while checking in at No. 17 nationally in scoring def (11.0 points per game). … [Read more...] about Illini Football vs #7 Penn State Game Preview, Prediction
FOX Turns Kickoff Show into Deion Sanders Infomercial
I say this as someone whose favorite pro athlete as a tween and teen was Deion Sanders- pump the breaks a bit! Prime Time remains a compelling, interesting, engaging, entertaining dude, but the media hype train is way out of control. Yes, he is definitely on a positive career arc in his coaching career. However, he is not Bear Bryant, Amos Alonzo Stagg and Nick Saban all … [Read more...] about FOX Turns Kickoff Show into Deion Sanders Infomercial
Illini Football and Kansas Jayhawks: Still Power 5 Twins?
With the Illinois Fighting Illini set to kick off at the Kansas Jayhawks in just a couple hours, we reflected on how much bigger this game is than what it was expected to be, way back when it was scheduled. It's a lot more relevant than what anyone expected, even a couple years ago. With that in mind, we re-publish what we wrote in December 2017, about the symmetry between … [Read more...] about Illini Football and Kansas Jayhawks: Still Power 5 Twins?
2023 Illini Football: Brutally Honest Season Preview
You, the Illinois Fighting Illini football fan, are unfortunately, quite familiar with a certain phenomenon within this program's history. The miserably disappointing season that immediately follows a breakthrough campaign. Illini football broke out of the doldrums in 1999 to finish 8-4. The next campaign saw Illinois go 5-6. The 2001 10-2 Sugar Bowl, Big Ten champions preluded … [Read more...] about 2023 Illini Football: Brutally Honest Season Preview