Illinois is one of several schools that claim to have "invented" the homecoming tradition. Nothing says autumn like a homecoming or "HoCo" as the kids call it these days, football game. The #23 Illini will welcome in the #21 USC Trojans for the homecoming clash, one that totally changed in complexion last weekend. … [Read more...] about #21 USC Trojans at #23 Illinois Fighting Illini Preview, Prediction
Illinois Fighting Illini
#8 Illinois Fighting Illini at #17 Indiana Hoosiers Game Preview, Prediction
The Indiana Hoosiers versus the Illinois Fighting Illini, wow, what a great men's basketball game this will be! Oh wait, hold on, this is actually football! What a time to be alive! Illinois and Indiana are playing a football game where they both have numbers next to their names. I'm old enough to remember a time where not every single college football game was televised, and … [Read more...] about #8 Illinois Fighting Illini at #17 Indiana Hoosiers Game Preview, Prediction
Mihailo Petrovic ‘big piece of the puzzle,’ says Brad Underwood
It took awhile, but Illinois Fighting Illini point guard Mihailo Petrovic is on campus. He arrived from Prokuplje, Serbia to Champaign, IL on August 25th, and once the season gets started, we'll see why he's worth the wait. "I felt pretty good because there were some things that just took time, and time was the only cure for it," Illini basketball coach Brad Underwood said … [Read more...] about Mihailo Petrovic ‘big piece of the puzzle,’ says Brad Underwood
Illini Football Hasn’t Been This Good in a Quarter-Century
Yesterday saw the Illini get their first non-conference road win over a power four conference team since 2007 (Syracuse 41-20). While they entered as favorites by a slim margin (-2.5) at Duke, they won by a resounding 26 point margin (45-19). As such, they moved up two spots to #9 in the AP poll, which marks the program's highest ranking since December of 2001. It's worth … [Read more...] about Illini Football Hasn’t Been This Good in a Quarter-Century
Bruce Weber Tells Craziest Illini Fan Story of All-Time
Bruce Weber coached the 2004-2005 Illinois basketball team to a Big Ten championship, Big Ten Tournament championship and a berth in the Final Four. Arguably the greatest team in Illini history, they went 51-4 in the Big Ten over a two year span. The '04-'05 team, which saw 80% of their field goals come on assists, advanced all the way to the National Championship game, … [Read more...] about Bruce Weber Tells Craziest Illini Fan Story of All-Time
Hank Beatty Establishes Himself as Illinois #1 Wide Receiver
As we wrote, shortly after the Citrus Bowl win on New Year's Eve 2024, Hank Beatty was poised to become the Illinois Fighting Illini WR1. That prediction came to fruition as Beatty had 100 receiving yards by halftime of the Illini trouncing of Western Illinois last night. Beatty finished with five catches for 108 yards including a career best (tied) 59-yard grab. And while … [Read more...] about Hank Beatty Establishes Himself as Illinois #1 Wide Receiver
#12 Illini Football vs Western Illinois Leathernecks Game Preview
It is the most anticipated Illinois Fighting Illini football season in a generation, and it begins Friday, at home, against FCS opponent Western Illinois. The wait is finally nearing an end! Last year, this Illini football team doubled their win total (from 5 in 2023 to 10 in 2024) from over the previous season. So how did they do it? … [Read more...] about #12 Illini Football vs Western Illinois Leathernecks Game Preview
First 2025 Illini Football Bowl Game Projections Have Been Released
Yesterday marked the final Saturday without college football in 2025. Yes, week zero, and thus the new season is indeed almost here! We'll get to enjoy the sport on every Saturday from here on out until mid-January. And with the new campaign so close that you can sense it, the time is now to talk bowl projections and season win total futures. The outlook is bullish, on both … [Read more...] about First 2025 Illini Football Bowl Game Projections Have Been Released
#12 Illini Almost Absent in ESPN College Football Playoff Predictions
The Illinois Fighting Illini are ranked #12 in both the AP and USA Today preseason polls. There are 12 slots in the 2025 College Football Playoff. Thus, it's not a reach, stretch or hot take to predict the Illini to make the CFP this season. Tell that to ESPN, who released their playoff pundit prediction panel yesterday, and Illinois was barely represented. … [Read more...] about #12 Illini Almost Absent in ESPN College Football Playoff Predictions
Xavier Scott: Elite Cornerback Critical to 2025 Illini Football Success
We're currently in, as Elvis Costello once sang "the other side of summer." If you're into college football, then you know how the "back to school" period of summer is dominated by preseason award watch lists. Some of them are hilarious participation trophies, like the Doak Walker, which literally has 102 names on it this season. But others, like the Bronko Nagurski (see … [Read more...] about Xavier Scott: Elite Cornerback Critical to 2025 Illini Football Success