Illinois at UCLA, Friday, November 13th, 8:00pm CT, FOX
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
I wanted to jump in and disagree with this, but was surprised to find that the Citrus Bowl against South Carolina and USC last year are BB's only two wins against teams that finished the season ranked. (Good chance Oregon becomes the 3rd).
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
ESPN analyst predictions for UCLA’s ranking in this week’s CFP poll (this is the rank that will be on screen during our game on Friday):
2 analysts @ #2
9 analysts @ #3
1 analyst @ #8 (come on now, Max)
2 analysts @ #2
9 analysts @ #3
1 analyst @ #8 (come on now, Max)
illini80
- Forgottonia
I agree with this. Someone can correct me if I’m off base here, but I think Bret wants to let his coaches have some autonomy. But when the team struggles, Bret gets deeply involved and things change quickly. His knowledge of the game is top tier.
ILL we are going to do it!!!!
Damn 9:00pm game here in ET 
I hate having these West Coast school kick off times now
… I say this like I’m not already planning to stay up to watch it all! Just means more beer consumption prior to kickoff! let’s go get’em! I-L-L
I hate having these West Coast school kick off times now … I say this like I’m not already planning to stay up to watch it all! Just means more beer consumption prior to kickoff! let’s go get’em! I-L-L
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
It is the maddening nature of the way the CFP committee thinks that they'll keep Miami ahead of UCLA because their win at Wake Forest is "better" than anything UCLA has on their resume....and yet they'll also keep Kentucky ahead of Wake Forest because Wake "hasn't beaten anybody".
And our record is phenomenal in close games under BB. "If only XYZ had been different think where we'd be!" type thinking just seems totally misguided to me.
The Butterfly Effect is much, much likelier to leave us with fewer wins rather than more.
Dan
Admin
Tim Brando (play-by-play), Devin Gardner (analyst), and Josh Sims (reporter) have the the national television broadcast on FOX.
fightingillini.com
Illinois, #4 UCLA Set for Friday Night Matchup at the Rose Bowl - University of Illinois Athletics
Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT/6 p.m. PT on FOX.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
I've seen some Brando slander on the internet lately, and I won't have it, he's great, kind of the last of the Keith Jackson/Brent Musberger Voice of the Football Gods typesTim Brando (play-by-play), Devin Gardner (analyst), and Josh Sims (reporter) have the the national television broadcast on FOX.
Illinois, #4 UCLA Set for Friday Night Matchup at the Rose Bowl - University of Illinois Athletics
Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT/6 p.m. PT on FOX.
OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
Do I think we will win? No.
Do I think we can win? Absolutely. But it’s going to take a very clean game and a break or two to go our way. I 100% think Illinois can have this be a one-score game late. Big thing is to just keep things close and take advantage of opportunities when the arise.
Do I think we can win? Absolutely. But it’s going to take a very clean game and a break or two to go our way. I 100% think Illinois can have this be a one-score game late. Big thing is to just keep things close and take advantage of opportunities when the arise.
OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
Brando tends to overhype a particular player and keep driving that narrative. He did it with Mestemaker in the Iowa State-Oklahoma State game two weeks ago and with Raiola a couple of years ago when Illinois won in Lincoln. But he’s good otherwise. He was clearly having a great time during the Halloween night game in Ames. Sometimes, announcers can get stuffy. He enjoys what he’s doing and isn’t afraid to let that show.
The West Coast travel can be a problem for Bert's Illini:
2024 v #1 Oregon, L 38-9
2025 v Washington, L 42-25
I am hopeful, but don't think we have the team to do it this year. I would guess something like 24-10 type score with UCLA winning.
2024 v #1 Oregon, L 38-9
2025 v Washington, L 42-25
I am hopeful, but don't think we have the team to do it this year. I would guess something like 24-10 type score with UCLA winning.
I tend to agree on your observations & prediction .
imo, we have about a 20% chance of winning
I think they're better - thats the primary issue, so i agree overall.
But i do think historically, recently atleast, Oregon and UW, are much more difficult places to play than UCLA.
Related, talk about a disappointing year in Seattle.
TheFlyingIllini1317
- Chicago, IL
So bummed about this. Lucky to have AL and JA cause losing our starting rb and stud freshman sucks. Hope we can recover for spring ball, hate to see this happen to such a promising guy.
How bout 3rd times a charm? Bret, the rose bowl, the rose bowl watch he gave his dad? Magic baby!!!!!!ILL-
CoachB answered this in post game Friday, emotionally. Cooper has brought buy In, men on defense have his back.
I'm very concerned about Bruins Big Plays. That's how their winning most weeks. Limit big plays this will come down to end of game. I trust CoachB for that.
In general it’s been difficult for B10 teams traveling to the west coast.
Record of non-former Pac10 Big10 teams playing on the west coast since 2024:
Overall: 9-27
2026: 3-6 (all 3 wins have come against Washington)
2025: 3-11
2024: 3-10
Those are some ugly overall numbers for a 0.250 win rate for the road team. No bones about it this will be a very tough game against a good team. This is one of those games where to win you probably need to play a near perfect road game. Don’t turn the ball over, turn it into a slugfest, limit the big plays, and win it walking off.
we need to play a mistake free game and we need some good luck .
like missing 2 or 3 field goal attempts....just like the Oregon and Nebraska games