Illini Football 2025
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Smart young man.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
If anyone does want to try to go down this rabbit hole and try to recognize a pattern for what weeks might belong to what networks, here is a basic template:
Guidelines
1. The three networks that get preference are FOX (11:00 am), CBS (2:30 pm) and NBC (6:30 pm). Games they don't select will fall to BTN or FS1.
2. The "draft" is for the 14 WEEKENDS, and then the networks will either get first, second or third pick of the games on that weekend when the date gets closer, based on the draft results. I think they can also draft individual games if they want, but the details are kind of confusing and/or kept secret from the public.
3. When I use "picks" here, I am talking about a weekend where the network gets the FIRST choice. I think there are also trades they can make to be second (rather than third) on a given weekend, too ... too complicated to speculate, lol.
4. For the 14 weekends, CBS gets 3 picks, NBC gets 3 picks and FOX gets the remaining 8. Of FOX's 8 picks, they are guaranteed the first/top 3 picks and also 5 of the top 11.
5. One other minor note - NBC can shift 3 Notre Dame games per year into its 6:30 pm slot usually reserved for Big Ten games. It has already done this 3 times, so it can't happen anymore.
Why It Matters: If you REALLY think you have any idea what network has first pick for a given weekend, it actually does make a huge difference in guessing our game time if you think our game will be a "top 3" Big Ten game that week. For Rutgers or Maryland, we are almost certainly on BTN or FS1. However, guessing our games vs. OSU, USC, Washington, etc. will depend entirely on (A) where our game falls in the pecking order that week and (B) the orders of the networks picking that week.
Clues
1. The article confirms that FOX used two of its picks on Texas at Ohio State and Ohio State at Michigan. Given the draw of those games, I would bet you ANYTHING those represented 2 of their 3 "top 3 overall picks." So, FOX would have 5 total picks left, including 1 overall top 3 pick.
TV LAYOUT
Weeks 1-3 have been set in stone, and only a few games have been confirmed past that. Here is the template each week, with the Big Ten games listed. I did NOT include Friday games or Big Ten away games on non-Big Ten networks, as they're not part of this draft (per the article).
WEEK ONE - August 30
11:00 am on FOX - #1 Texas at #3 Ohio State
2:30 pm on CBS - Nevada at #2 Penn State
6:30 pm on NBC - New Mexico at #14 Michigan
WEEK TWO - September 6
11:00 am on FOX - Iowa at #22 Iowa State
2:30 pm on CBS - Oklahoma State at #7 Oregon
6:30 pm on NBC - Boston College at Michigan State
WEEK THREE - September 13
11:00 am on FOX - #7 Oregon at Northwestern
2:30 pm on CBS - USC at Purdue
6:30 pm on NBC - #19 Texas A&M at #6 Notre Dame
WEEK FOUR - September 20
11:00 am on FOX - TBD
2:30 pm on CBS - #14 Michigan at Nebraska
6:30 pm on NBC - TBD
TBD Games
#12 Illinois at #20 Indiana
Oregon at #7 Oregon State
Michigan State at USC
Maryland at Wisconsin
Off-the-Table Games
Iowa at Rutgers (Friday at 7:00 pm on FOX)
Purdue at #6 Notre Dame (2:30 pm on NBC)
Washington at Washington State (6:30 pm on CBS)
WEEK FIVE - September 27
11:00 am on FOX - TBD
2:30 pm on CBS - TBD
6:30 pm on NBC - #7 Oregon at #2 Penn State
TBD Games
USC at #12 Illinois
#3 Ohio State at Washington
#20 Indiana at Iowa
UCLA at Northwestern
Rutgers at Minnesota
WEEK SIX - October 4
11:00 am on FOX - TBD
2:30 pm on CBS - TBD
6:30 pm on NBC - TBD
TBD Games
#12 Illinois at Purdue
Wisconsin at #14 Michigan
#2 Penn State at UCLA
Minnesota at #3 Ohio State
Michigan State at Nebraska
Washington at Maryland
UL Monroe at Northwestern
WEEK SEVEN - October 11
11:00 am on FOX - TBD
2:30 pm on CBS - TBD
6:30 pm on NBC - TBD
TBD Games
#3 Ohio State at #12 Illinois
#20 Indiana at #7 Oregon
#14 Michigan at USC
Iowa at Wisconsin
Northwestern at #2 Penn State
UCLA at Michigan State
Nebraska at Maryland
Purdue at Minnesota
Off-the-Table Games
Rutgers at Washington (Friday at 7:00 pm on FOX)
WEEK EIGHT - October 18
11:00 am on FOX - TBD
2:30 pm on CBS - TBD
6:30 pm on NBC - USC at #6 Notre Dame
TBD Games
#2 Penn State at Iowa
#3 Ohio State at Wisconsin
Washington at #14 Michigan
#7 Oregon at Rutgers
Michigan State at #20 Indiana
Purdue at Northwestern
Maryland at UCLA
Off-the-Table Games
Nebraska at Minnesota (Friday at 7:00 pm on FOX)
WEEK NINE - October 25
11:00 am on FOX - TBD
2:30 pm on CBS - TBD
6:30 pm on NBC - TBD
TBD Games
#12 Illinois at Washington
#14 Michigan at Michigan State
Wisconsin at #7 Oregon
Minnesota at Iowa
Northwestern at Nebraska
UCLA at #20 Indiana
Rutgers at Purdue
WEEK TEN - November 1
11:00 am on FOX - TBD
2:30 pm on CBS - TBD
6:30 pm on NBC - TBD
TBD Games
Rutgers at #12 Illinois
#2 Penn State at #3 Ohio State
USC at Nebraska
Purdue at #14 Michigan
#20 Indiana at Maryland
Michigan State at Minnesota
WEEK ELEVEN - November 8
11:00 am on FOX - TBD
2:30 pm on CBS - TBD
6:30 pm on NBC - Navy at #6 Notre Dame
TBD Games
#20 Indiana at #2 Penn State
#7 Oregon at Iowa
#3 Ohio State at Purdue
Nebraska at UCLA
Washington at Wisconsin
Maryland at Rutgers
Off-the-Table Games
Northwestern at USC (Friday at 8:00 pm on FOX)
WEEK TWELVE - November 15
11:00 am on FOX - TBD
2:30 pm on CBS - TBD
6:30 pm on NBC - TBD
TBD Games
Maryland at #12 Illinois
#14 Michigan vs. Northwestern (Wrigley Field)
#2 Penn State at Michigan State
UCLA at #3 Ohio State
Iowa at USC
Wisconsin at #20 Indiana
Purdue at Washington
Off-the-Table Games
Minnesota at #7 Oregon (Friday at 8:00 pm on FOX)
WEEK THIRTEEN - November 22
11:00 am on FOX - TBD
2:30 pm on CBS - TBD
6:30 pm on NBC - TBD
TBD Games
#12 Illinois at Wisconsin
USC at #7 Oregon
Nebraska at #2 Penn State
Rutgers at #3 Ohio State
#14 Michigan at Maryland
Michigan State at Iowa
Washington at UCLA
Minnesota vs. Northwestern (Wrigley Field)
WEEK FOURTEEN - November 29
11:00 am on FOX - #3 Ohio State at #14 Michigan
2:30 pm on CBS - TBD
6:30 pm on NBC - TBD
TBD Games
Northwestern at #12 Illinois
#7 Oregon at Washington
UCLA at USC
Wisconsin at Minnesota
#2 Penn State at Rutgers
Maryland vs. Michigan State (Ford Field)
Off-the-Table Games
Iowa at Nebraska (Friday at 11:00 am on CBS)
#20 Indiana at Purdue (Friday at 6:30 pm on NBC)
Gabe talking up the d-line isn't surprising. However, even with needing to take offseason talk with grains of salt, it is encouraging that our d-line is being improved by coaches and outside sources(BTN network, etc.), as it's arguably our most significant question mark on the team.
Is there video of Boyd throwing to Trimble and can someone post it?
Altmyer not one of the top 100 players in the nation is absurd.
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
this is mainly a futures deal, but the physical trajectory of Cameron Brooks is pretty stunning. am stoked about Isaiah White too
Not sure where I’d mention this but the J Leman hour on Mondays on 93.5 is going to be back on the air next week on The Drive. That’s the good news.
However, I really think the show is dead without Lon and Piper. The guys they replaced them with don’t have much connection to sports at all. Just sounds like a boring morning radio show vibe. From Werner/Lon, Carp/Lon, Piper/Lon Illinois fans really had that local sports connection daily for 15 years. Sucks it’s over especially in one of the most anticipated seasons ever
However, I really think the show is dead without Lon and Piper. The guys they replaced them with don’t have much connection to sports at all. Just sounds like a boring morning radio show vibe. From Werner/Lon, Carp/Lon, Piper/Lon Illinois fans really had that local sports connection daily for 15 years. Sucks it’s over especially in one of the most anticipated seasons ever
Really curious to see how the pre-game buzz will be in the further out parking lots, after the recent email about parking passes being sold out for Western Michigan, USC, Ohio State, and Rutgers already. We are way out East in Lot 49. In the past there have only been tame, family friendly type of tailgates out there, without too much congestion. Very curious to see if there is a big change in environment this year!
On a related note, I wonder what impact sold out parking passes has on any "day of" lot availability? I'm sure it's in the University's best interest to have some "day of" available...it's a newer phenomenon for people to NEED to have parking figured before you even leave your house on the way to any sporting event.
On a related note, I wonder what impact sold out parking passes has on any "day of" lot availability? I'm sure it's in the University's best interest to have some "day of" available...it's a newer phenomenon for people to NEED to have parking figured before you even leave your house on the way to any sporting event.
We were in 47 last year and that's the way it was. It was definitely more congested and livelier for the higher attendance games but otherwise pretty calm. We're moving to 45 this season, it always seemed to be a little more happening when we'd walk by.
Last year there was same day parking available in the Vet Med lot even for the sellouts I believe. But you're right, it will probably be hectic and I'm sure more crowded.
Chuck Nuggets
Dip your nuggets in my staff source sauce.
Only 8 days until Illinois football.
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
I agree. Just seemed like any random sports talk show you’d hear on any random ESPN affiliate station. Not that they can’t eventually get there, but Lon and Pipes really had a special sauce cooking that will be hard to replicate.
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
The aliens see a new opportunity with the restructuring of NIL.I wouldn’t normally believe the reports that the alien ship will be here in two weeks, but it would be the most Illinois thing to ever Illinois our upcoming football season.
Does anyone park at any of the businesses along 45 that sell spots?
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
Great breakdown. It seems with the other top contenders being West Coast home games that the Indiana and OSU games will most likely be Big Noon on FOX. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the networks use a 6 day window for Week 5 and then doing Big Noon for whoever wins Illinois vs. Indiana and the loser getting FS1
I thought I would watch that Altmeyer highlight video and get pumped for the season,but instead I saw a ton of plays to Bryant, which just reminded me he isn't here anymore and any highlight from the Oregon game while we are down 35-3 is just depressing
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
Keep winning and avoid the 11 AM kickoff will help with that. 2:30 start times are much easier to get seats filled before kickoff, especially the student that does not wake up until 10:30 or 11 on weekends.
Good chance that many of our Big Ten home games will be at 11am this year (OSU is likely Big Noon, USC will be Big Noon if we beat Indiana, November games can only be 11 or 2:30 and given our opponents at least 1-2 will be 11).
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
I think it ultimately depends on the broadcast rights pecking order for a given week (not sure who has priority rights for given weeks). It is entirely possible that the OSU game is on primetime NBC. The USC game, I know that NBC already has Oregon/Penn State finalized for that week. I am not sure if CBS or Fox has the next slot. It is possible the Illini/USC game is on CBS at 2:30.
I sure hope that we get lucky and not have Homecoming again at 11 AM. It is nice to have the morning and early afternoon to tailgate.
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