Joel Klatt Names College Football Program That ‘Hit The Lottery' In Its Conference
Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt made waves this week with high praise for Illinois football, declaring on his podcast that the Fighting Illini have 'hit the lottery in the Big Ten.' His comments centered around head coach Bret Bielema and the program's steady rise under his leadership.
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"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. 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," Klatt said.
Since taking over in 2021, Bielema has brought his hard-nosed, run-first identity to Champaign, and it's starting to pay off. After a strong close to the 2024 season, capped by a 21-17 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Citrus Bowl, Illinois enters 2025 with something it hasn't had in a long time: real expectations.
The Fighting Illini bring back 16 starters, including quarterback Luke Altmyer, who enters his third season in Bielema's system. Altmyer threw for 2,717 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2024 while cutting down on turnovers, showing growth that should give Illinois confidence heading into a loaded Big Ten slate.
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Klatt sees Illinois as uniquely positioned to compete. With continuity, experience and a clear identity, Bielema's team isn't just fighting to keep up, it is aiming to win.
Fans rush the field after a victory by the Illinois Fighting Illini over the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium.© Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
For a program long defined by inconsistency, the idea that Illinois could be a steady contender in one of college football's toughest conferences might've once seemed far-fetched.
But in 2025, with Bielema at the helm, the Illini are no longer content to chase after relevance.
Related: Urban Meyer Recalls Bret Bielema's Furious Reaction After He Broke the 'Gentleman's Agreement'
Related: Big Ten Program Adds Four-Star Recruit on Friday
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
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