I approve but not enough koolaid because we’re running the table.
2025 Season Predictions Thread
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Two predictions:
1. We will land somewhere between 8-4 and 10-2.
2. I will be elated or extremely depressed after each game. I've tried to not get so wrapped up around game outcomes. Unfortunately, my love of the University of Illinois and Illinois football in particular makes it impossible.
1. We will land somewhere between 8-4 and 10-2.
2. I will be elated or extremely depressed after each game. I've tried to not get so wrapped up around game outcomes. Unfortunately, my love of the University of Illinois and Illinois football in particular makes it impossible.
I see a hot start fueled by BB preparing us as well/better than any team in the land. Some unlucky bounces late.
Western Illinois (W)
at Duke (W) Blowout/D feasts
Western Michigan (W)
at Indiana (W) (OT) Olano scores 12
USC (W)
at Purdue (W)
Ohio State (L) Sloppy 4th Q/turnovers
at Washington (W)
Rutgers (L) awful weather
Maryland (W)
at Wisconsin (L) get screwed
Northwestern (W)
Western Illinois (W)
at Duke (W) Blowout/D feasts
Western Michigan (W)
at Indiana (W) (OT) Olano scores 12
USC (W)
at Purdue (W)
Ohio State (L) Sloppy 4th Q/turnovers
at Washington (W)
Rutgers (L) awful weather
Maryland (W)
at Wisconsin (L) get screwed
Northwestern (W)
I think this team has more quality depth and fewer obvious weaknesses than last year’s team. The linebackers and tight ends are deeper and more talented overall , and really hoping the D-line depth improves the run defense.
The two units that rely on cohesiveness and teamwork are the O-line and defensive backfield. We return every starter in both groups.
Luke should be better than last year. A wider array of targets (TE’s, etc) should give him more options, hopefully letting him get rid of the ball sooner, leading to fewer sacks and fumbles, his two biggest flaws last season.
The O-line improved significantly over the course of last season. They need to start this year where they finished last year and build further.
I’m optimistic about a 9-3 to 11-1 regular season. The Indiana game will be the bellwether.
The two units that rely on cohesiveness and teamwork are the O-line and defensive backfield. We return every starter in both groups.
Luke should be better than last year. A wider array of targets (TE’s, etc) should give him more options, hopefully letting him get rid of the ball sooner, leading to fewer sacks and fumbles, his two biggest flaws last season.
The O-line improved significantly over the course of last season. They need to start this year where they finished last year and build further.
I’m optimistic about a 9-3 to 11-1 regular season. The Indiana game will be the bellwether.
Why do people think OSU is a sure loss? They lost a lot last year, having to play a new QB. Hopefully we will have Game Day here, we have a sold out house. We have not beat OSU at home since 91? We are due and have the talent to win that game. I just hope we don’t have a let down going into Washington. The good news is that we have a bye week after OSU.
SampsonRelpenk
- Edwardsville, IL
The best piece of advice my dad ever gave me as I was becoming an adult was "never get too high or too low". The most conspicuous cases of me failing to live up to that are after big Illini wins and losses!
The losses sting even when you know they are coming....like Oregon last year.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
RE: That second one, it just feels like the stakes are so high to me. Last season alone skyrocketed us in terms of national perception, and I actually cannot imagine the vibe around Illini football if we followed last year (and the ensuing hype going into this year) up with a CFP appearance. It would just be the types of heights we could only dream of for literal decades...
So, in the back of my mind, I will know that a loss here or there isn't the end of the world and that the program is in amazing hands. However, in the heat of the moment ... a heart breaking loss even in games I might "predict" a loss such as at Indiana, vs. OSU, at Washington, etc. will feel like a dagger, simply because the win could have made all the difference in that CFP dream.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
I can totally understand that thought process, but it’s funny because I feel the exact opposite.
- We won 10 games & the Citrus Bowl last year.
- We have a competent coaching staff for the first time in my lifetime.
- We’re recruiting the best we’ve recruited in 20 years with a staff that can develop.
- I’m going to be excited to watch every game this year because I know that win or lose we’re going to be in all of them.
So to me, this season (assuming it isn’t a complete disaster) is gravy. I’m just gonna do my best to enjoy it.
*Note: I realize this is all easy to say now. We lose that Duke game and I’m sure I’ll be talking different haha.
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
My head agrees with you.........so, no, I will not be this reasonable.
Edit PS - I am too superstitious to make a prediction for a game, let alone a season. I will sit back and enjoy (hopefully).
As Ted Lasso once said…..It’s the hope that kills you.
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
Because people are predicting a loss, does not mean that we think it is a sure loss (statistically that game is the most likely to be a loss over any other game, at least at the preseason point of the season). There are no games on the schedule that are sure losses, but it is completely reasonable to expect at least two to three losses to happen. As for me, since this is a prediction's thread, I see 9-3.
I think the Illini split the Duke/IU games, a split of the USC/Wash games, and likely home loss to OSU. I expect this team to be well coached throughout the year and think the team will handle business in November. If the Illini get through the gates of September very strong, then 10-2 and a CFP berth is on the table.
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Illiniblueorange
- Pontoon Beach IL
Put me down for 10 -2 with a lot more better sleeping nights
16-0 and also fire Tyler Underwood if they lose a game
im with you on your other statements regarding OSU and splitting USC/Wash , but I see us beating both Duke & IU.
so i’m 10-2
mhuml32
Gesture of Northern Aggression
I'm prefacing this by saying I already said I will not complain or be disappointed if Illinois goes 8-4 or better. That said......it would be a lifetime of "what if" if Illinois starts 7-1 with that schedule and goes 2-2 in those final four games.
Basically parallel with 2022 (with a playoff aspect). JMO - I honestly don’t see how we’re not up for @Wisconsin (at least emotionally). And with that schedule, they’re set to rack up losses in a hurry.
BZuppke
- Plainfield
As a long time Illini fan it is hard to be confident when we’re expected to be good. Certainly under Bielema this is different than anything we’ve experienced in modern history. We will be a very good team, competitive in every game with the possible exception of Ohio State. Some injuries, bad calls or mistakes in close games could cost us. I’d say the floor is 8 wins.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
9-3 Another successful season! However, we lose at least 1 game we're expecting to easily win.......and we just lose out on the CFP. But we do play on New Year's Day! And we get a shot at our 10th win.
(For reference, I predicted 8-4 last season.)
(For reference, I predicted 8-4 last season.)
Western Illinois (W)
at Duke (L)
Western Michigan (W)
at Indiana (L)
USC (L)
at Purdue (W)
Ohio State (L)
at Washington (L)
Rutgers (W)
Maryland (W)
at Wisconsin (L)
Northwestern (W)
I'm going to go with 6-6, which will be incredibly disappointing. Last year we pulled two games completely out of our rears(Purdue and Rutgers). We're 7-5 last year if those two miracles don't happen, which includes Schiano handing us a gift.
There are most definitely some toss ups in there, but we have a lot of questions with one being....who comes anywhere near providing the production of PB? I love the OL and QB, but do we have playmakers(RB or WR)to take advantage of it? Can the interior of the DL stop the run? Can the defense consistently get off the field?
We'll see how it all plays out. This can EASILY be a 8-4 season, maybe even 9-3, but we do have a lot of questions.
at Duke (L)
Western Michigan (W)
at Indiana (L)
USC (L)
at Purdue (W)
Ohio State (L)
at Washington (L)
Rutgers (W)
Maryland (W)
at Wisconsin (L)
Northwestern (W)
I'm going to go with 6-6, which will be incredibly disappointing. Last year we pulled two games completely out of our rears(Purdue and Rutgers). We're 7-5 last year if those two miracles don't happen, which includes Schiano handing us a gift.
There are most definitely some toss ups in there, but we have a lot of questions with one being....who comes anywhere near providing the production of PB? I love the OL and QB, but do we have playmakers(RB or WR)to take advantage of it? Can the interior of the DL stop the run? Can the defense consistently get off the field?
We'll see how it all plays out. This can EASILY be a 8-4 season, maybe even 9-3, but we do have a lot of questions.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
SP+ second order wins had us at 8.2 wins, so last year was basically an 8-5 team that went 10-3.
Even still, an 8 win team that ranks 4th in the nation in SP+’s returning production metric has more answers than questions.
I think a long the same lines with a two game swing, so I get and agree wholeheartedly with that.
I don't think that anyone can answer, right now, who they feel very strongly about in the WR room to replace two hugely important pieces. When in trouble, Luke had two guys that could and would come down with a 50/50 ball. We can hope, but it's wait and see.
It's the same situation in the backfield. We don't have a proven, feature back. Again, we can hope, but it's wait and see.
Our QB and OL play are absolutely rock solid. We all have high expectations here. Its the lifeline of the entire roster.
Defensively, we know Jacas is going to be an absolute stud, HOWEVER, if this interior is going to get pummelled and he can be doubles and chipped....not great.
I like the corners and safeties a lot, but their success all goes back to the pass rush. That's yet another wait and see.
I'm not sure what our depth looks like. What position group can we absolutely not take an injury at, outside of the QB?
This is why, IMO, 6-6 is very much in play, but so is 8-4, as you outlined as a predictive measure. 8-4 can absolutely happen and if things go right, that's probably the answer.
It's going to be fascinating to watch unfold.
9-3, outside looking in on the CFP, but win a good bowl game.
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
I think 9-3 is the most likely scenario, but 10-2 second most likely, with an outside shot at 11-1 and a definite Playoff invite. If anyone had told me I'd be predicting that a few years ago I'd have laughed in their face.
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