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
luke altmyer
#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
Illinois Football Enters Season with Highest Expectations in a Generation
The annual spring and summer sports lull is about to end! Yes, the "we have no revenue college sports going on at the moment" dead zone of the calendar concludes...now. The Illinois football team began their training camp on Friday at Memorial Stadium, with Illinois football coach Bret Bielema holding a press conference on Thursday to preview fall practice. And the current … [Read more...] about Illinois Football Enters Season with Highest Expectations in a Generation
Luke Altmyer, Bret Bielema Sing Stretch at Wrigley, Coach Trolls Brewers Fans
Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer, widely considered to be among the best in the Big Ten this upcoming season, had a very exciting Tuesday night. He got to sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," alongside his head coach Bret Bielema, at Wrigley Field tonight during the Chicago Cubs 5-3 win over the arch-rival Milwaukee Brewers. … [Read more...] about Luke Altmyer, Bret Bielema Sing Stretch at Wrigley, Coach Trolls Brewers Fans
Illini Football: Very Early 2025 Season Preview
With 18 of 22 starters returning, Illini football should be special in 2025. Winning ten games, including the Citrus Bowl, has put the program back up at a level relevance that hasn't been seen since 2001. And perhaps most importantly, the Illini have done it by finding and maintaining an identity. Defensive Coordinator Aaron Henry has perfectly articulated the Illini … [Read more...] about Illini Football: Very Early 2025 Season Preview
Michigan St. Spartans at Illinois Fighting Illini Game Preview, Prediction
Once again, the Illinois Fighting Illini have a November home game against the Michigan State Spartans during a season where they started very fast out of the gates. Since starting 6-1, the Illini have dropped back to back games, and there are understandably legitimate fears that this season could repeat the story arc of 2022. If you recall, it was the Michigan State game (a … [Read more...] about Michigan St. Spartans at Illinois Fighting Illini Game Preview, Prediction
Illini Notes: Leather Helmets, Memorial Stadium Museum, Beating Natl Champs, Playing #1
When Illinois upset Michigan last weekend, it marked the first Illini win over a reigning national champion since October 10, 1942. Back then, the Illini beat Minnesota, AP National Champions with an 8-0 record in 1941, 20-13 at home. For the Illini, it ended a 14 game losing streak against reigning national champions, and set up for a major showdown at #1 Oregon this … [Read more...] about Illini Notes: Leather Helmets, Memorial Stadium Museum, Beating Natl Champs, Playing #1