Illini Football 2025
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RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
Yup… I’ve long said the decision to name Mackovic as Athletic Director was the key point that lead illinois football to where it is today. When Mackovic left, it was in the hands of an interim chancellor to replace both an AD and a head coach. He took the easy route and just promoted Lou Tepper when Illinois could’ve held a national search and attracted a name coach. The following chain of events spiraled out of control. Say what you will about Ron Guenther, but he was handed Tepper and he couldn’t just fire him immediately.
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
Seeing our name above Alabama, LSU, and scUM in pre season football rankings is.......
A. Completely normal
B. A little weird
C. Slightly disconcerting
D. A sure sign of the Apocalypse
E. I don't know what to do with my hands
F. There's a monster in my closet
G. All of the above
Honestly, there’s a part of me that is still waiting to believe it’s right in front of me.
1. We’ve usually not handled expectations well. An object in motion tends to stay in motion.
2. Yeah, we went 10-3 last year, but in that 10-3, we had:
- EIU
- Kansas, not what we thought they were and squeaked by
- CMU, 30-9 not indicative of how close it felt comparably.
- Nebraska, not *great* and had to have Raiola be an idiot backpedaling to guarantee that one
- PSU, lost and looked outgunned.
- Purdue, you held it together but it was way way closer than need to be
- Michigan, perfect day, trick play, and an abysmal QB situation (Michigan that beat Alabama was not the Michigan we played, TBH)
- Oregon - again, outgunned. That was a whooping.
- Minnesota - you didn’t look good, and kept it close, but lost at home to a fringe top 25 team
- Michigan State - was not a good football team, down players, but you handled business. No complaints there.
- Rutgers - you needed a last second miracle for that win and a mess up by Schiano assisted.
- NU - kicked their butts but they aren’t a good football team.
- South Carolina - no complaints, that one was fun.
3. Pat Bryant isn’t here anymore and he saved you a lot.
4. Losing McCray actually sucks. Big time.
5. Our defense and offense got a lot of complaints last year but figured it out when it mattered. Does that get corrected or not?
6. Depth really ain’t what I’d like it to be.
Now, I am just using this to make the argument. I can flip all of these. But really, it’s all I need to say that a 7-5 season is definitely in the realm of possibility and 5-7 is absolutely possible if the wheels fall off. I am certainly expecting 8-9 wins with 10-11 being a stretch goal pre-bowl, but that changes quickly once we see real football.
Really - REALLY want to agree and say not this time also... But being involved since the mid-1950's and taking note of the 'historical tendencies' keeps my fragile heart in a flutter... Go Illini ! !
Just like some of you, I have watched Illinois football a long time (only 50 years for me starting '76). Times are very different. We have a coach, an AD, and an Alimni base that is positioned well for this new era of college athletics. Even after collegiat sports it settles into something a little more structured (JMHO), Illinois will be ready. Also, I know what I saw last year, in addition to so many returnees and strategic transfers, we have improved (and I include WR becasue of the experienced depth). Things like Elzy still here, and Strain returning, tells me a lot about this team. I will actually be shocked if we are not in the CFP discussion.
Slight disagreement...Mackovic actually recruited pretty well. A good coach wins 8 or 9 each year in Tepper's first 4 seasons, with Mackovic's recruits. The 1994 team had a lot of guys that ended up playing in the league
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
D. We will be on the cusp of winning the CFP and the Fire and Brimstone will begin to fall from the sky. And instead of worrying about the survival of mankind, I will be hoping that we can just hold on for 3 more minutes, until time expires. Meanwhile, the four horsemen will be coming over the ridge, fortunately, we won't be playing Notre Dame. so they shouldn't bother us much.
Strongly considering a Braden Trimble jersey.
Illinois football fans shouldn’t underestimate this early opponent
Illinois football is heading into the 2025 season with a lot of confidence. Even with running back Josh McCray transferring out, the Illini will have 17 starter
writingillini.com
Big Ten quarterback rankings 2025: Projected starters from first to worst
The Big Ten sees an influx of new faces at new places in the quarterback position in 2025. Ranking the starters from first to worst.
collegesportswire.usatoday.com
Important post
Dan
Admin
Illinois Football fun facts, "The Last Time it Happened in Back-to-Back Years" edition.
Btw all these have the potential for being updated to 2024-2025, stay tuned.
The Last Time Illinois Football in Back-to-Back Years-
Had a Winning Overall Record in Back-to-Back Years
Had a Winning Regular Season in Back-to-Back Years
Had a Winning Big Ten Record in Back-to-Back Years
Had a Winning Overall Record & Winning Regular Season & Winning Big Ten Record in Back-to-Back Years
Had a Winning Overall Record & Winning Regular Season & Winning Big Ten Record & Bowl Victory in Back-to-Back Years
[never in back-to-back years, 5 times overall: 1946, 1951, 1963, 1989, 2024]
Go Illini!
[Reference]
Btw all these have the potential for being updated to 2024-2025, stay tuned.
The Last Time Illinois Football in Back-to-Back Years-
Had a Winning Overall Record in Back-to-Back Years
| 2011 | (7-6, 2-6) | Fight Hunger Bowl (W) | Ron Zook, Vic Koenning |
| 2010 | (7-6, 4-4) | Texas Bowl (W) | Ron Zook |
Had a Winning Regular Season in Back-to-Back Years
| 1992 | (6-5-1, 4-3-1) | Holiday Bowl (L) | Lou Tepper |
| 1991 | (6-6, 4-4) | Sun Bowl (L) | John Mackovic, Lou Tepper |
Had a Winning Big Ten Record in Back-to-Back Years
| 1993 | (5-6, 5-3) | [no bowl] | Lou Tepper |
| 1992 | (6-5-1, 4-3-1) | Holiday Bowl (L) | Lou Tepper |
Had a Winning Overall Record & Winning Regular Season & Winning Big Ten Record in Back-to-Back Years
| 1990 | (8-4, 6-2) | Hall of Fame Bowl (L) | John Mackovic |
| 1989 | (10-2, 7-1) | Citrus Bowl (W) | John Mackovic |
Had a Winning Overall Record & Winning Regular Season & Winning Big Ten Record & Bowl Victory in Back-to-Back Years
[never in back-to-back years, 5 times overall: 1946, 1951, 1963, 1989, 2024]
Go Illini!
[Reference]
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
Time to break a whole bunch of bad streaks!
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
I don't think that the author understands that most Illini fans fear EVERY opponent and don't write any "W's" on the schedule in pen, only pencil (and lightly at that). Am i Wrong?Illinois football fans shouldn’t underestimate this early opponent
Illinois football is heading into the 2025 season with a lot of confidence. Even with running back Josh McCray transferring out, the Illini will have 17 starter
they get it every year from the scribes , and then they disappoint , as Franklin , who can certainly has recruiting chops , is not in BB's league as a game coach nor game prep coach
Surprised kaliakmanis at Rutgers is so low. He will not be an nfl guy and it isn’t always pretty, but he makes things happen and seems pretty tough. Did everything he needed to do and more against Illinois.Big Ten quarterback rankings 2025: Projected starters from first to worst
The Big Ten sees an influx of new faces at new places in the quarterback position in 2025. Ranking the starters from first to worst.collegesportswire.usatoday.com
I have a soft spot for overachievers with the ‘intangibles’, so I’d put him at least in top 10, probably around 7. Barring injury he’ll end the season as a starter, which won’t be the case for a few on that list and not because of injury.
Agree with Luke #1. If o line improves no reason he shouldn’t be able to live up to that
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anyone else but me see Julian Sayin, and then wish his first name was Justin, so he could be called Jus' Sayin?
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
sacraig
- The desert
ptgrd23
- orange county CA
Last season Luke was turnover prone on sacks and when running the ball. I am hoping the team is good enough that they will not have to call 3rd down running plays for him.
Luke can still improve his progressions, he does not throw the ball away quick enough on blitzes, while he is a good athlete he does not have the Mahome's scrambling ability.
This will be his 3rd season as starter so hopefully he will put it all together like Kurt Kittner did.
Very likeable. Never complains. Loves his teamates. No obnoxious bling, comments or social media. Very classy how he handled Tennessee overture.
Assuming Illini have a good season (9 wins is minimum) he will go down as one of the all time Illini QBs
Tony Eason (two 7-4 seasons, first bowl game in 20 years)
Jack Trudeau (B10 champs, Rose Bowl)
Jeff George (10-2 Citrus Bowl, Drafted #1 in NFL draft)
Kurt Kittner (10-2 B10 champs, Sugar Bowl)
Isiah Williams (9-4 Rose Bowl)
Luke Altmeyer (10-3 Citrus Bowl, TBD.....)
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