01-07-2025
What to Know About Illinois Fighting Illini In 2025
The Illinois Fighting Illini are certainly a team that has come out of the woodwork in recent years. Under the reign of Bret Bielema, they have gone from conference laughingstock to a potential emergent powerhouse. With the likes of Luke Altmyer leading the pack at the QB position and linebacker Gabe Jacas anchoring the middle of a stout defensive front, the Illini are built to succeed now. The only thing that could potentially stand in their way is themselves. However, with one of the easiest Big Ten slates, they can finally start dreaming of a potential CFP bid in Champaign. Despite the fact that they have lost several key players both offensively and defensively, look for certain stars to step up and elevate their game as well. And who knows? Should they not slip, perhaps their dreams will become reality.
2024 in Review
The Fighting Illini's 2024 season may have been one of their most successful in recent history. For the first time since 2011, the Illini were a 10-win program, going 6-3 within the conference. At the end of the year, the Illini were ranked #20 in the College Football Playoff Poll, #21 in the AP Top 25 Poll, and #21 in the Coaches Poll. After their success in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl however, they moved up to #16 in the AP Top 25 after vanquishing #14 South Carolina 21-17.
That finish proved to be their second-highest ranking in the last 35 years and only their 12th ever appearance in the AP Top 25. Most importantly, they got back to 10 wins, tying a program record and also having a program-tying four wins against AP Top 25 opponents. Their Citrus Bowl win was the first bowl win since 2011 and their highest ranked non-conference victory since 1990.
Perhaps the most stunning aspect of this shocking Illini season is that they were known for their comeback victories. Including their Citrus Bowl victory, the Illini led the nation in fourth quarter comebacks with 5 and consequently also led the nation in one-score victories as well because of their late heroics. Most of these victories stem from quarterback Luke Altmyer, who has led five game-winning drives in his Illinois career, most importantly, four coming in Big Ten wins.
Now that Altmyer and 18 other starters from last year, there is hope that 2025 can be an even bigger breakthrough.
Head Coach Profile
Bret Bielema may just be one of the most well-renowned modern college football coaches. Whether it be his successful stint with Arkansas, or now revitalizing this Illini program, he has been making history no matter where he goes.
Consider this: Bielema's 28-22 record in four seasons with the Illini is the second- best record through 50 games for any Illini coach, only behind Mike White of the '80s. Most impressively he is the first Illinois head coach to even win eight games twice in his first four seasons in almost 35 years. Furthermore, his 18 Big Ten wins, critical in this expanded format, are the second-most ever in four seasons behind John Mackovic with 22.
Most impressively, however, might just be his performances on the road. No other Illini coach in their first four years has won more Bielema's four ranked road/neutral games. His 10 wins in Big Ten road games is tied for second best, only behind Mike White and tied with Lou Tepper and John Mackovic.
Heading into his fifth season, Bielema's job is certainly safe. However, this could be a landmark year if he does what no other Illini coach has ever dreamed of accomplishing.
Top Offensive Player
Now that the Fighting Illini have lost two of their leading receivers from last season, the onus now falls on Luke Altmyer to continue his exploits in terms of leading this team to improbable heights. The former Ole Miss QB has certainly performed to expectation thus far in his short Illinois career. However, he might have to exceed them for Illinois to finally break through to the CFP. He certainly has proved he has the traits to do so.
Last season, Altmyer was one of only four Power 4 QBs with 20+ touchdowns and fiver or fewer interceptions in the regular season. He also ranked 33rd in passing efficiency, a respectable placement considering the efficiency of the Illini offense itself.
However, something that may seem slightly lees impressive to some is that despite finishing in the Big Ten's top five in terms of passing touchdowns, that number was only good for 31st in the nation. That tally must go up for the Illini to continue to sustain this recent success. Breaking in a largely green receiving will not necessarily help matters for Altmyer. However, the positive takeaways from Altmyer's 2024 season could pay dividends this year.
Altmyer has continued the trend of recent passing efficiency success, with his 144.0 rating being the second best in the past three years. This continues a trend of efficiency within the Illini offense itself as OC Brian Lunney has been at the helm for three of the four best passing efficient offenses in program history.
Lastly and perhaps, most importantly amidst Altmyer's accolades is his pedigree against Top 25 opponents. His 3 wins against Top 25 opponets are already the same number as several other Illinois QBs over the past 50 years.
The sky's the limit for Altmyer and this year will ultimately prove if he can take off.
Top Defensive Player
The Illini defense was exceptional last year at almost every single level. However, there was one player who anchored it all: Gabe Jacas. In the middle of the Illini's front seven, he had one of the most successful seasons for an Illini defender in their history.
In an All-Big Ten Third team worthy season, Jacas had a remarkable campaign. Against ranked opponents alone, he had 41 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. However, that only paints half the picture. His 3 forced fumbles overall were tied for 25th in the nation as well as his 8 sacks, which were also good enough for fifth in the Big Ten. Seven of those eight sacks came against Big Ten competition to boot.
His 74 tackles were second overall on the team, and he led them in tackles for loss, sacks and QB hurries as well. In their bowl victory, he had a career high 3 TFLs to help them clinch the victory. Furthermore, in an impressive ranked win over Michigan, he had a career 13 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2.5 TFLs, and his fourth ever forced fumble in his career.
However, the most impressive aspect of his career, is that he has been able to vault himself up to ninth in the Illinois football history books in terms of sacks with 16 to his name. Turn in a couple more sterling performances, especially when it matters, and his name could be one of legend in Champaign.
2025 Schedule Outlook
The Illini may have gotten off easy in terms of their schedule this season. Avoiding Penn State and Oregon is one thing. Not facing more than two potential ranked opponents is another. However, that does not mean there could be cause for some slip ups, either.
A couple of games that should be highlighted on the schedule are obviously the Week 7 matchup with Ohio State but also Week 5 against USC. Those could be the only two chances for the Illini to truly prove they are CFP worthy to the committee. Both USC and Ohio State should both be squarely within the AP polls at the time of these games so two big wins there could really boost their CFP hopes. They get both games at home so at the very least they have that advantage.
Another intriguing game is their first Big Ten game of the season against the Indiana Hoosiers. One could definitely say that the winner of that game has the best fighting chance out of the Big Ten's Big Three to make the CFP. Indiana were the true surprise team, riding the high of Curt Cignetti and his JMU transfers to CFP glory. Illinois will be looking to do the same, on the road in what should be an electric environment. However, as last year proved, they are not averse to anything.
This should be a thrilling campaign for Illinois fans if everything goes as planned. Everything is right there for the taking. They just can't let anything slip.
