Illinois-Notre Dame series 2027-2028

[Battle89]

Nobody is wrong here.

A game against ND is an exciting and attention-getting event that raises our program’s image.

I’m mixed on the bowl thing but agree there is long term value in continuing the streak, even at mediocre bowls.

My fear is less about a given bowl and more that we regress to a four or five win team and lose the reputation we have earned over the last several years. That 2027 schedule is tough.

However I also agree with the poster above who said that would be indicative of problems more systemic than one loss to ND.

 

[Dkayak]

my first thought hearing this news was excitement. Truly surprised that some here would rather a cupcake to increase our chances at a mid bowl game. i'll be more interested in a regular season game against ND than playing Louisiana in the Frisco Football Classic

I’d rather see solid, competitively-played games vs worthy opponents, even risking a worse W-L record. Earning bowl games by maximizing cupcake “victories” is lame. Even the SEC is moving away from it. Dream bigger.

It’s going to be exciting and might help get the crowd energized.

 

[SummerofGeorge]

I'm very happy with the switch. However I absolutely think going to bowl games consecutively, continuing that streak, is more important than a game against Notre Dame.

Agree to disagree but I would much rather see a meaningful game against ND early in the season over trying to manufacture enthusiasm for a random bowl against a nobody where 1,500 fans show up

 

[Battle89]

I’d rather see solid, competitively-played games vs worthy opponents, even risking a worse W-L record. Earning bowl games by maximizing cupcake “victories” is lame. Even the SEC is moving away from it. Dream bigger.

It’s going to be exciting and might help get the crowd energized.

Ron G. gets a lot of on this site, much of it deserved. But this post (and several others above, not picking on you Kayak) is espousing exactly what RG thought. And that scheduling led to a lot of bad seasons and a generation lost.

Yes, we have Bret now, etc etc. Just not surprising that many here are shy about touching the hot stove again.

 

[purcy51]

Never been to South Bend I am 100% in


I would too but I'm sure there's some TV network politics or whatever.

The football gods just seem opposed to that series.

I've been to a couple ND games in South Bend. Both were cold, rainy/sleetish, late fall games. The aura in that stadium is ridiculous. It may have something to do with the amount of scotch I had before the game, but I tell ya, there's something special there.

And I am most definitely not a fan of ND.

 

[The Maestro of Mayhem]

this move makes a lot more sense for the program than installing a scoreboard you can see from mars......

 

[Mr. Roberts]

A 2-year series with Notre Dame does more for the program than sneaking into a bowl no one watches at 6-6. If this series specifically drops us to 5 or fewer wins in either season, we have not addressed way more pressing problems. I don’t want to feast on mediocre 6-win seasons we limped into by playing bad teams!

Both my kids went to Purdue. I have watched them get waxed by Notre Dame every year, even under Brohm. All it does is deepen the lack of belief in the program and illustrate the talent gap. I fully expect that we will get waxed by them twice, then move on to another P4 opponent.

Maybe I'm jaded by the Purdue experience, but I don't expect anything good will come of this.

 

[therealmiket86]

Nobody is wrong here.

A game against ND is an exciting and attention-getting event that raises our program’s image.

I’m mixed on the bowl thing but agree there is long term value in continuing the streak, even at mediocre bowls.

My fear is less about a given bowl and more that we regress to a four or five win team and lose the reputation we have earned over the last several years. That 2027 schedule is tough.

However I also agree with the poster above who said that would be indicative of problems more systemic than one loss to ND.

The thing about the bowl game that’s huge is the practices. Also with opt outs young guys get to play. Nathan Knapik stepped up and started in the bowl game. X also did as a freshman. I just think for development it’s great

 

[fuddrules]

Maybe I'm jaded by the Purdue experience, but I don't expect anything good will come of this.

Illinois will raise more money by scheduling ND. I think this also gives JW some cover to throw more money at football than they have recently.

Maybe it won't be enough to beat ND but hopefully it's enough to comfortably beat middling B1G teams (whoever they turn out to be).

 

[Mr. Roberts]

Illinois will raise more money by scheduling ND. I think this also gives JW some cover to throw more money at football than they have recently.

Maybe it won't be enough to beat ND but hopefully it's enough to comfortably beat middling B1G teams (whoever they turn out to be).

To throw it he has to go get it (unless he takes it from hoops). How much more money will ND bring in versus Duke? Will anyone give more because ND is demonstrably better than us? I don't know.

I sincerely hope you are right. I just fear a couple of 5-7 or 4-8 campaigns will do much more harm than good.

 

[IlliniWu]

Both my kids went to Purdue. I have watched them get waxed by Notre Dame every year, even under Brohm. All it does is deepen the lack of belief in the program and illustrate the talent gap. I fully expect that we will get waxed by them twice, then move on to another P4 opponent.

Maybe I'm jaded by the Purdue experience, but I don't expect anything good will come of this.

By that time they will have Barnett as a soph/junior, Alexis (That duo is insane for future purposes), Konkey, Rankin, Trimble, Eberhart, Alston, etc. Champ Smith, Nick Hankins and others will be upperclassmen. And you'll have Clayton at QB. They're not getting waxed by anyone IMO.

 

[Bleedorangeandblue44]

So excited about this news and surprised at the negative blowback. Can't wait for both games, especially '28.

 

[joebcrazy13]

 

[IlliniwekKDR]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2117682478458744987

Tradition rich programs

 

[Old.Edgy]

Blimey


I think the reason is mostly that ND has always wanted to play a pretty national schedule, and we are behind a number of others (Purdue, Michigan and Michigan State primarily, they've played Northwestern quite a bit, etc) on their priority list of local opponents.

We also tended to play Pac-10 teams as marquee non-con opponents historically.

And haven't done all that well in those.... historically...

 

[CogDog]

I’m in if we have $10M more of NIL market-inflation adjusted cash infused into our roster by that time. If not, I see it as a great way for us to pack Memorial Stadium with Notre Dame fans and lose more recruiting battles to them. I like and trust JW, but this is aggressive. I’ll be over the moon if we beat them, though

 

[Illiniguy74]

I've always found it crazy that we don't play ND at least every once in a while. They own the series (11-0-1 per google) and we haven't played them since 1968, which was 58 years ago...I'd be shocked if half the people here were alive then and doubt the majority of those that were would have been old enough to remember.

Bummer re: Missouri

I attended the game in 1967. Beat down. Hard to take by a young, yet already extremely devoted Illini fan. Hopefully, we'll jack up the roster and give them a run for their money.

 

[bleedorange and blue]

If nobody else has i will look into the future,,,, sqeek out a win south bend, , dominating the Irish in champaign. Recruiting in Chicago becomes all illini!!!!

 

[fuddrules]

To throw it he has to go get it (unless he takes it from hoops). How much more money will ND bring in versus Duke? Will anyone give more because ND is demonstrably better than us? I don't know.

I sincerely hope you are right. I just fear a couple of 5-7 or 4-8 campaigns will do much more harm than good.

Expect a raise in football ticket prices. Probably more than just a typical increase. They need a reason for an increase that will be "sticky".

They even created the, kinda, sorta, waiting list for football season tickets (perception). Tickets aren't that much in demand (see secondary prices) but it is much better than a few years ago. ND will help that and help with retention in what I believe will be a nice increase (for DIA) in prices. Who wants to give up their 2028 ND tickets?

I also think a few big donors will give more that can go directly to the players. If others are doing it, do it. At least get to or close to the $49M roster cap (all sports) with the new B1G agreement.

Also, what's the status of facility loan debt? Ubben at one point was scheduled (or it was hopeful) to be paid off in 2028. Perhaps there's been progress in debt payments?

I'll take a WAG that more fundraising types announcements, either targeted to the masses (like us) or that they've secured an additional big donation. At least that's my hope.

 

[Homecoming 2019]

To throw it he has to go get it (unless he takes it from hoops). How much more money will ND bring in versus Duke? Will anyone give more because ND is demonstrably better than us? I don't know.

I sincerely hope you are right. I just fear a couple of 5-7 or 4-8 campaigns will do much more harm than good.

Did we just compare Duke and ND football? Any Chicago Illini fan I know, hates ND and their arrogant fan base. Hopefully that need to beat them fuels some of the larger donors. I also don't think the gap between ND and Illinois is that large already. They aren't Ohio State talent wise.

 

[lstewart53x3]

Did we just compare Duke and ND football? Any Chicago Illini fan I know, hates ND and their arrogant fan base. Hopefully that need to beat them fuels some of the larger donors. I also don't think the gap between ND and Illinois is that large already. They aren't Ohio State talent wise.

They’re literally Ohio St. A few less 5 stars (9 to 11), but more 4 stars (59 to 52):

For comparison, our current roster has (0) 5 stars and (7) 4 stars.

Total number of 4 and 5 stars on each team:

Notre Dame: 68
Ohio St: 63
Illinois: 7

 

[fuddrules]

They’re literally Ohio St. A few less 5 stars (9 to 11), but more 4 stars (59 to 52):

View attachment 52370

For comparison, our current roster has (0) 5 stars and (7) 4 stars.

Total number of 4 and 5 stars on each team:

Notre Dame: 68
Ohio St: 63
Illinois: 7

I don't believe ND has finished higher than OSU in the final AP poll in the last 20+ years. Some one should double check me.

 

[Illini2010-11]

I don't believe ND has finished higher than OSU in the final AP poll in the last 20+ years. Some one should double check me.

Going back to 2000, ND has only finished higher than OSU one time (2000). In 2001 and 2011, both teams went unranked. Otherwise, OSU has been long dominant in final AP rankings (finishing ranked in all but 3 seasons going back to 2000).

 

[Homecoming 2019]

They’re literally Ohio St. A few less 5 stars (9 to 11), but more 4 stars (59 to 52):

View attachment 52370

For comparison, our current roster has (0) 5 stars and (7) 4 stars.

Total number of 4 and 5 stars on each team:

Notre Dame: 68
Ohio St: 63
Illinois: 7

Nfl draft picks last 3 seasons combined:

ND 17
OSU 38
Illini 7

Closer to ND than they are to ohio state!

 

[Illinivek23]

The thing about the bowl game that’s huge is the practices. Also with opt outs young guys get to play. Nathan Knapik stepped up and started in the bowl game. X also did as a freshman. I just think for development it’s great

I was thinking the same thing. Is this inequity in overall practice time going to disappear at some point?

Non-bowl programs need the practice time and their inability to keep practicing can actually prolong their mediocrity.