The Illinois Fighting Illini did not make the college football playoffs last season, but they had a very good season. They finished 10-3 overall and Illinois beat the South Carolina Gamecocks in a bowl game last year.
It is going to be interesting to see what Illinois will be able to do during the 2025 college football season. The Fighting Illini could be a trendy pick to make the college football playoffs next year. The BIG10 conference had four teams make the playoffs last season.
CBS Sports Thinks That the Illinois Fighting Illini Could Crash the Party Next Season
CBS Sports writer Tom Fornelli thinks that the Illinois Fighting Illini could be a playoff contender in the BIG10 Conference next season. Fornelli said,
“The Illini will enter the season in the unusual position of having lofty expectations from people across the country. They went 10-3 last season, with two road losses to Penn State and Oregon and a win over South Carolina to finish the year. Most of that team is back; Illinois ranks third in returning production. The offensive line returns intact, and Luke Altmyer is back at QB for his third season as a starter. He’s the only third-year starter in the league outside Drew Allar at Penn State.
The other factor working in Illinois’ favor is its schedule. It’s not easy, but compared to what other Big Ten teams will be dealing with, it’s certainly manageable. Depending on your power ratings, it can be argued the two best teams on the slate are Ohio State and USC, and both come to Champaign. There’s also an argument to be made that Indiana will be the toughest road game, but it’s hard to say with any certainty what Indiana will be in 2025. Illinois is a team that was on the periphery of the playoff field in 2024 and should be again in 2025.”
Brett Bielema has been the head coach for the Illinois Fighting Illini since the 2021 season. He has chance to have a special team on his hands for the 2025 college football season. The two biggest games on Illinois schedule for the 2025 season will be against the Indiana Hoosiers on September 20 at Bloomington, Indiana and on October 11 at home against the Ohio State Buckeyes.
If they can beat Indiana, who is in the playoffs last season, that would be huge for them. The Illinois Fighting Illini doesn’t face Michigan, Oregon, or Penn State during the regular season. Quarterback Luke Altmyer could be a difference for them next season. He completed 60.8% of his passes for 2,717 yards, 22 touchdowns, and six interceptions last season. A 10-2 record or 11-1 could get them into the playoff field this season depending on how the rest of the conference shapes out.
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