that duke game has a lot of similar vibes to our KU game last year.
Illini Football 2025
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Serious Late
- Peoria via Denver via Ann Arbor via Albuquerque vi
Arch Manning is going to be really, really, really good. This season. I would be surprised if he wasnt a real upgrade over an excellent college QB in Quinn Ewers.
Manny ‘gon learn
No QBs allowed: We name the 25 best non-QB players for 2025
It's not all about quarterbacks. These players could have a big impact on 2025, even if they don't throw a pass.
Gabe Jacas, OLB, Illinois Fighting Illini
Vitals: Senior, 6-3, 275 pounds
2024 stats: 74 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 10 quarterback hurries, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery
Why he's here: A freshman All-America selection in 2022, Jacas had a somewhat quiet 2023 season before reviving his profile last fall for the Illini. He became one of the Big Ten's most disruptive defenders, tying for the league lead in forced fumbles during the regular season and tying for second in sacks during Big Ten play (7).
Jacas was extremely productive against ranked teams, recording 5.5 sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss and 2 forced fumbles. He was much more than a pass rusher too, finishing second on the team in tackles with 13 against Michigan and eight in the Citrus Bowl win against South Carolina. He bypassed the NFL and overtures from other college teams to play his final season in Champaign.
"He has all the physical elements to be as disruptive or as good as any defensive lineman I've had the luxury to be around, whether that's playing on the field with J.J. Watt or coaching, in regards to the Bradley Chubbs of the world when I was at NC State," Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry told me. "He possesses the skill set to be physically imposing upon his opponent."
Let me simply add, there's nothing I'd rather be than an American and an Illini.As we give thanks this weekend for our nation, our freedom, and the staggering sacrifices of those who created and have preserved it over 250 years, let's also take a moment to realize that, as Illini football fans, 2025 feels like every day is Thanksgiving, and we're still three months from the season kickoff.
Our long-term prospects, and I'm talking simply about consistent competitiveness sustained through ethical leadership and executive excellence, haven't looked this good in my lifetime.
Bask in it, friends, and enjoy the weekend.
pruman91
- interviewing new NL's daily....I really really am
As we give thanks this weekend for our nation, our freedom, and the staggering sacrifices of those who created and have preserved it over 250 years, let's also take a moment to realize that, as Illini football fans, 2025 feels like every day is Thanksgiving, and we're still three months from the season kickoff.
Our long-term prospects, and I'm talking simply about consistent competitiveness sustained through ethical leadership and executive excellence, haven't looked this good in my lifetime.
Bask in it, friends, and enjoy the weekend.
while I’m happy the Duke game made that list of top ten non-con games , i’m surprised
imo , the USC homecoming game is the biggest game on our schedule , at this point in time . no one , incl me , expects us to beat O$U, at least right now .
I’ll call it again, Illini will take down the Trojans. SC always has skill guys but their weakness the last decade or so has been that they’re soft, up front especially but really everywhere. They were better last year but still not tough.
technically I was alive when Illinois upset them at the coliseum in 89, but other than that all losses. my parents were there in illini gear and told how the sc fans were very poor sports to them lol. Id love for the illini to ruin a few of the d-bags in my area’s weekend this year. My dad was on the illini team when bam Cunningham smoked them in LA, and he always hated SC. Been looking forward to this one since it was announced
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Was getting ready to post this! Luke putting in beautiful work. It’s not about practice it’s how you practice and doing things the right way. His trainer is pretty darn good.
This and if ya’ll remember, Major Applewhite was the better QB sitting behind ole Chris. I would bet Arch is much better than what Quinn showed.
No denying the bolded (and/or OSU), but that was a list of top 10 non-con matchups.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
I’m just glad Luke’s not coaching defense… given the tights.
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
high voltage:
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
Rusk very well could be our secret weapon (please stay healthy!). with the extra time under his belt, he knows the playbook and he's really built a connection with Luke. utilizing our TEs more in the passing game will only help us (and help our recruiting too). Rusk is the key there
season starts september. both sutter and anderson will have made their decisions by then.
Recruiting tight ends won't absurdly stop at 2026.
He appears to be healthy again.
Re-ranking all 18 Big Ten football 2025 conference schedules from easiest to toughest
Only 98 days remain until the 2025 Big Ten football season kicks off.
badgerswire.usatoday.com
this is set up to be our year .Re-ranking all 18 Big Ten football 2025 conference schedules from easiest to toughest
Only 98 days remain until the 2025 Big Ten football season kicks off.badgerswire.usatoday.com
everyone should be hammering the 7.5 o/u
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