NEW YORK- On a national level, the Heisman buzz very slowly trickled in, eventually, for Illinois running back Chase Brown. But honestly, the Ontario native and nation's second leading rusher, was always a long shot to make it here to New York in mid-December. Despite the fact that he was the first back, in the entire country, to rush for 1,000 yards this season. Why is … [Read more...] about Chase Brown Deserved a Heisman Ceremony Invite and Here’s Why
Illinois Fighting Illini
Mississippi St. Star RB Leaves Program, Hits Out at Mike Leach
Mississippi State's 2nd leading rusher this season, Dillon Johnson, has entered the transfer portal ahead of the Reliaquest Bowl in Tampa against Illinois. On his way out of Miss. St. he had some parting words about his Miss St. head coach Mike Leach : "Since I am not very tough, and Leach is glad I am leaving, I will be entering my name into the transfer portal," Johnson … [Read more...] about Mississippi St. Star RB Leaves Program, Hits Out at Mike Leach
Illini Football: First Look at Bowl Opponent: Mike Leach, Miss St.
The Illinois Fighting Illini are in their first New Year's Day bowl in a decade and a half. It is indeed time for celebration, based on that fact alone. However, this Illini football team isn't just happy to be here, against Mike Leach and Mississippi State. They obviously want to win the Reliaquest Bowl (formerly known as the Outback Bowl), and if they do, it will be … [Read more...] about Illini Football: First Look at Bowl Opponent: Mike Leach, Miss St.
Illini Basketball Starting to Stack Season Resume Wins
What a special night for #17 Illini Fighting Illini basketball! Down double digits, midway through the second half, they looked left for dead against #2 Texas tonight in the Jimmy V. Classic. But the Illinois battled back, forced overtime, and then emerged victorious 85-78. The Illini basketball program improved to 8-40 all-time against teams ranked in the top 2 of the AP … [Read more...] about Illini Basketball Starting to Stack Season Resume Wins
Illini Football to Face Mississippi St in Reliaquest Bowl
A leaked tweet from Illini football coach Bret Bielema earlier today, making mention of Florida, has been proven prescient. The same can be said for all the bowl prediction posts out there. The Illinois Fighting Illini are headed to Tampa, Florida, for the Reliaquest Bowl. They'll face Mississippi State in Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, on Jan. 2. … [Read more...] about Illini Football to Face Mississippi St in Reliaquest Bowl
#16 Illini Basketball Crush Cuse, in Game with Many Storylines
Your #16 Illinois Fighting Illini basketball team crushed Syracuse tonight, 73-44, in a game that didn't become a blowout until midway through the second half. Illinois was up only 30-23 at the halftime, as the first 20 minutes were overall pretty ugly. But you knew that this watered down version of the Cuse weren't going to be able to go on a 8-0 run, so the Illini … [Read more...] about #16 Illini Basketball Crush Cuse, in Game with Many Storylines
Illinois Fighting Illini: Updated Bowl Game Projections
We all knew the Illini weren't a College Football Playoff level team, but it was cool to see them actually get votes in the CFP poll earlier this year. In doing exactly what they should do to a terrible team like Northwestern yesterday, especially on rivalry Saturday, the Illini ended the regular season on a much more positive note. They came into the day with an opportunity … [Read more...] about Illinois Fighting Illini: Updated Bowl Game Projections
Illinois Fighting Illini vs Northwestern Wildcats Preview, Prediction
Observing and analyzing the 2022 Illini football team feels like reflecting on the 2011 edition. That team, which started 6-0, finished 6-6 in what would prove to be Ron Zook's final season. No other college football team, anywhere, started 6-0 and ended up 6-6. This current Illini team started 7-1, but has now come down crashing back to Earth, losing to two mediocre teams, … [Read more...] about Illinois Fighting Illini vs Northwestern Wildcats Preview, Prediction
Bret Bielema ‘very angry’ at Big Ten Refs in Controversial Michigan Loss
It has been a very emotional week for Illini coach Bret Bielema, whose mother passed away a couple days ago. He almost did not make the trip to Ann Arbor, where his team were 22-point underdogs to #3, undefeated Michigan. A time of great sorrow turned into a day of furious anger for Bielema, who lashed out at the officiating (but chose his words carefully as to try and avoid … [Read more...] about Bret Bielema ‘very angry’ at Big Ten Refs in Controversial Michigan Loss
Illini Football: Recent Slide Aside, No Name Defense is Special
Illini football: where they can vastly improve, greatly overachieve, and yet massively disappoint, all at the same time. Despite their getting gashed by Purdue this past Saturday, this Illini defense is still special. And all great defenses, throughout the history of football, have had a nickname. But for this 2022 Illini football team, their perfect moniker is already … [Read more...] about Illini Football: Recent Slide Aside, No Name Defense is Special