Joel Klatt Reveals Program Most Likely to Make First College Football Playoff Appearance
Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt believes 2025 could be the year the Illinois Fighting Illini break through college football's glass ceiling — and he's not hedging.
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In a recent episode of "The Joel Klatt Show," Klatt singled out Illinois as the team most likely to make its first College Football Playoff appearance this season, citing their continuity, physical identity and veteran leadership on both sides of the ball.
"Bret Bielema has built this team into what he wants. Physical, tough. They win against South Carolina in the bowl game. They show the level that they can get to, and that team that won that day is essentially all back," Klatt said. "Sixteen starters are back, nine on offense, seven on defense. Luke Altmyer is back for his third season. … I think they've hit the lottery in the Big Ten."
Bielema, now entering his fifth season in Champaign, has quietly turned Illinois into a Big Ten dark horse. After going 5-7 in his debut season in 2021, he has gone 8-5, 7-6 and 10-3 in the years since, culminating in a 21-17 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Citrus Bowl to close out the 2024 season.
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A big reason for Illinois' optimism is quarterback Luke Altmyer. The Ole Miss Rebels transfer had a breakout campaign last fall, throwing for 2,717 yards and 22 touchdowns. His familiarity with Bielema's system, combined with a fully intact offensive line, has Klatt bullish.
"We've seen what returning production, returning experience does, in particular at the quarterback position," Klatt noted. "The entire offensive line is back. The question is at wide receiver. [Illinois] has to replace their top two receivers from last year: Pat Bryant and Zakhari Franklin."
To help with that, Illinois added West Virginia Mountaineers transfer wide receiver Hudson Clement, along with his brother, running back Murphy Clement, through the portal.
On defense, the Illini return key playmakers like linebacker Kenenna Odeluga and safety Matthew Bailey, part of a unit that finished in the top 35 nationally in scoring defense last year. Illinois also added several transfer players to its defensive line, including James Thompson Jr. (Wisconsin), Curt Neal (Wisconsin), Tomiwa Durojaiye (Florida State) and Carter Hewitt (Northern Iowa).
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The College Football Playoff trophy is awarded to the national champion.Adam Cairns / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The expanded 12-team playoff format gives programs like Illinois a real shot, and Klatt sees a perfect storm brewing in Champaign.
If Bielema can keep the momentum rolling and Altmyer takes another leap, the Illini might not just contend in the Big Ten. They might crash the playoff party for the first time in school history.
Related: Joel Klatt Names College Football Program That 'Hit The Lottery' In Their Conference
Related: Joel Klatt Issues Stern Warning To Prominent College Football Head Coach: 'You Can't Go 7-5 Again'
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
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