Illini Football 2026

#1      

Dan

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2026 Illini Football (2-3, 0-2)
DateOpponentResult
Thu, Sept 3UABW 42-23
Sat, Sept 12DukeL 27-31
Sat, Sept 19Southern IllinoisW 48-10
Sat, Sept 26at Ohio StateL 19-42
Sat, Oct 3PurdueL 17-24
Sat, Oct 10at Michigan State2:30pm FS1
Sat, Oct 24Oregon
Sat, Oct 31at Maryland
Fri, Nov 6Nebraska7:00pm FOX
Fri, Nov 13at UCLA8:00pm FOX
Sat, Nov 21Iowa
Sat, Nov 28at Northwestern

All times CT
 
#6      
How do we feel about the program at the moment? I am still positive on Bret. He may have misjudged the DC situation but let's be honest, the D sucked last year most of the year as well. So something had to be tweaked. It does seem that the program funding really needs to elevate if the program is to ascend. I fear we are at a cross roads similar to when Mackovic left for Texas. We had a chance to throw some big $ at a up and coming head coach or maybe pluck one from another power conference program. Instead in true Illinois fashion we turned cheap & promoted from within by hiring Tepper. The after shocks of that poor decision are felt to this day.

TBH, if we aren't gonna step up & spend like a top 25 program then don't bother, let football rot & put everything into hoops. I HATE to suggest that but if we aren't gonna invest there is no point in giving a half assed effort.
 
#10      
How do we feel about the program at the moment? I am still positive on Bret. He may have misjudged the DC situation but let's be honest, the D sucked last year most of the year as well. So something had to be tweaked. It does seem that the program funding really needs to elevate if the program is to ascend. I fear we are at a cross roads similar to when Mackovic left for Texas. We had a chance to throw some big $ at a up and coming head coach or maybe pluck one from another power conference program. Instead in true Illinois fashion we turned cheap & promoted from within by hiring Tepper. The after shocks of that poor decision are felt to this day.

TBH, if we aren't gonna step up & spend like a top 25 program then don't bother, let football rot & put everything into hoops. I HATE to suggest that but if we aren't gonna invest there is no point in giving a half assed effort.
we will NEVER make a 24 team CFP if we aren’t in the top 30 - 35 in NIL spending
 
#12      
we will NEVER make a 24 team CFP if we aren’t in the top 30 - 35 in NIL spending
And if we are even remotely trying to be legit there is no reason we shouldn't at least be in the top 35 in NIL. Big conference, big state & a good fanbase when it is given a solid product.
 
#13      
Honest question. Perhaps discussed before, but asking it in light of where things "feel" after the loss against Purdue....are there enough NIL dollars to go around to make both hoops and football good, at the same time? Or, is there a push and pull between the two, against each other? I ask this in light of what Brett has said about last off season.
 
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