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)
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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
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
R.I.P. Rose Bowl, College Sports “Leagues” and “Conferences”
The Rose Bowl game will still go on, but in non-College Football Playoff years it will never be anything close to what it once was now that the Pac-10 (later the Pac-12) is officially dead. The whole concept of a Big Ten champion versus Pac 10 champion was ingrained in the very DNA of the Rose Bowl game. It will still be held, but when it's not in a CFP format will exist in a … [Read more...] about R.I.P. Rose Bowl, College Sports “Leagues” and “Conferences”
Illinois Fighting Illini: Bowl Game History Part 2/2: Major Bowls
Good morning college football and Illinois Fighting Illini fans. Just four more days until the Reliaquest Bowl kicks off in Tampa! This will be Illinois' 20th bowl appearance, and they are 8-11 in their previous 19 postseason games. We'll run all this down for you, in two parts, starting with the minor bowls, which we defined as non-traditionally on New Year's Day and/or … [Read more...] about Illinois Fighting Illini: Bowl Game History Part 2/2: Major Bowls
Illinois Fighting Illini: Bowl Game History Part 1/2: Minor Bowls
Good morning college football and Illinois Fighting Illini fans. Just four more days until the Reliaquest Bowl kicks off in Tampa! This will be Illinois' 20th bowl appearance, and they are 8-11 in their previous 19 postseason games. We'll run all this down for you, in two parts, starting here with the minor bowls, which we defined as non-traditionally on New Year's Day … [Read more...] about Illinois Fighting Illini: Bowl Game History Part 1/2: Minor Bowls
One Year After Historic Upset, Illini Huge Underdogs to Wisconsin Again
Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of one of the greatest upsets in recent college football history. The unranked Illinois Fighting Illini entered as a 30.5 point underdog to the visiting #6 Wisconsin Badgers. You know how it ended- Illini placekicker and Irishman James McCourt booted the game winning field goal that made Illinois 24–23 victors in the waning … [Read more...] about One Year After Historic Upset, Illini Huge Underdogs to Wisconsin Again