Latest news with #LukeAltmyer
Miami Herald
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Illinois Offense Preview 2025: The Fighting Illini Are Loaded
The Illinois offense only averaged 365 yards per game. It didn't run well, it wasn't explosive, and it didn't come up with a ton of first downs, but it didn't turn the ball over in bulk, and when things were working, it kept games in total now it comes back transfer portal is helping with the depth and options, but if you liked what you saw last year out of the starting 11, get ready for more, starting with ... X CFN, Fiu | CFN Facebook | Bluesky Fiu, CFN2025 Illinois Preview Illinois Defense BreakdownSeason Prediction, Win Total, Keys to Season - Luke Altmyer is back for a third season, throwing 35 touchdown passes after transferring over from Ole Miss in 2023. He runs just well enough to be a positive, but his fifth-year senior leadership will be the biggest positive. Ethan Hampton (Northern Illinois) is a capable backup who can move. - The offense might be loaded with veterans, but it's losing the combination of Pat Bryant and Zakhari Franklin. Those two led the way with 109 catches, and now it's up to Malik Elzy to rise up on the outside, and Collin Dixon and Hank Beatty to step up in the slot. Hudson Clement (West Virginia) and Justin Bowick (Ball State) are deep play threats. The tight ends aren't stars, but they can bring the pop. Tanner Arkin caught 16 passes with three scores last year. - Leading rusher Josh McCray took off for Georgia, but the Illinois running backs are good if they can stay in one piece. Aidan Laughery was second on the team with 589 yards and four scores, Kaden Feagin is a 250-pound load, and there's just enough depth to be okay. - The line is loaded with experience, and now it has to be far stronger. It was decent for the ground game, but the pass protection needs tweaking. JC Davis is an All-Big Ten left tackle, and Melvin Priestly has a world of upside on the other side, if he doesn't kick inside to Josh Kreutz should be an all-star, and guards Josh Gesky and Brandon Henderson are massive 325+ pound blasters. Illinois Defense Breakdown2025 Illinois Preview Season Prediction, Win Total, Keys to Season © 2025 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
NBC Sports
29-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Altmyer details the family connection at Illinois
Luke Altmyer sits down with Nicole Auerbach to discuss his decision to return to Illinois, the culture that coach Bret Bielema fosters and the significance of defeating South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl.
USA Today
10-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Breaking down Big Ten football's record predictions after spring ball
Breaking down Big Ten football's record predictions after spring ball The Big Ten and the SEC stand at the top of the college football world in today's landscape. The two conferences dominate revenue, television networks, and more often than not, they dominate the on-field play as well. The 2025 season seems destined for the Big Ten to be a major player in the College Football Playoff, as there are more than a handful of teams with expectations to be in the playoff and a few that are looking to recreate Indiana's magical 2024 run to the postseason. Without any more waiting, check out the Big Ten record predictions and who will be headed to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship game. Record: 11-1 Wins: Western Illinois, Duke, Western Michigan, Indiana, USC, Purdue, Washington, Rutgers, Maryland, Wisconsin, Northwestern Losses: Ohio State The Illini are the 2025 underdog storyline. Quarterback Luke Altmyer has the chance to ascend to the top of the ranks in the Big Ten and the country when all is said and done. The Illini make serious noise in 2025. Indiana Hoosiers Record: 7-5 Wins: Old Dominion, Kennesaw State, Indiana State, UCLA, Maryland, Wisconsin, Purdue Losses: Illinois, Iowa, Oregon, Michigan State, Penn State Regression is an ugly word, but it is what the Hoosiers face this year. Lightning doesn't strike twice, and they take a step back this year while still remaining bowl-eligible. Record: 8-4 Wins: UAlbany, UMass, Rutgers, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan State, Nebraska Losses: Iowa State, Penn State, Oregon, USC The Hawkeyes land a solid schedule, but it is what Iowa does. They beat who they should and have yet to prove they can take down the top of the conference. Pencil in another 8-4 year and a bowl trip for Kirk Ferentz like clockwork. Maryland Terrapins Record: 3-9 Wins: Florida Atlantic, Northern Illinois, Towson, Losses: Wisconsin, Washington, Nebraska, UCLA, Indiana, Rutgers, Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State The Terps could be in for a bit of a tough time in 2025. The quarterback situation remains somewhat murky, and the schedule doesn't give too many breaks. College Park should look forward tothe basketball season. Michigan State Spartans Record: 7-5 Wins: Western Michigan, Boston College, Youngstown State, UCLA, Indiana, Minnesota, Maryland Losses: USC, Nebraska, Michigan, Penn State, Iowa Michigan State is a quiet team in the Big Ten that could make some noise. With QB Aidan Chiles' talent, they are liable to knock off someone in a seismic upset. Regardless, Sparty is bowling. Michigan Wolverines Record: 9-3 Wins: New Mexico, Central Michigan, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Washington, Michigan State, Purdue, Northwestern, Maryland Losses: Oklahoma, USC, Ohio State Michigan rebounds after last year, but is still a step or two away from being back to national title contenders. They will run the ball well, play great defense, but struggle to keep up with high-powered offenses. Minnesota Golden Gophers Record: 5-7 Wins: Buffalo, Northwestern State, Purdue, Northwestern, Wisconsin Losses: California, Rutgers, Ohio State, Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan State, Oregon Minnesota is going to be fighting for the bowl life the entire season. If they can steal an early season game before getting into the heavyweights of the Big Ten, the Gophers can find their way to a bowl. Nebraska Cornhuskers Record: 8-4 Wins: Cincinnati, Akron, Houston Christian, Michigan State, Maryland, Minnesota, Northwestern, UCLA Losses: Michigan, USC, Penn State, Iowa Nebraska continues to build under head coach Matt Rhule. They aren't there quite yet, but there is a palpable sense that things are getting closer after an eight-win campaign. Record: 5-7 Wins: Tulane, Western Illinois, UCLA, UL Monroe, Purdue Losses: Oregon, Penn State, Nebraska, USC, Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois Northwestern is always a tricky team. They play hard, they are a tough out, but sometimes the talent of their opponents prevails. The Wildcats struggle against the best of the conference this year, but stay competitive. Ohio State Buckeyes Record: 11-1 Wins: Grambling, Ohio, Washington, Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Penn State, Purdue, UCLA, Rutgers, Michigan Losses: Texas The Buckeyes are loaded with talent and are the defending champs. After a loss in the first game, the Buckeyes run the table to be in pole position entering the postseason. Oregon Ducks Record: 11-1 Wins: Montana State, Oklahoma State, Northwestern, Oregon State, Indiana, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, USC, Washington Losses: Penn State The Ducks rattle off 11 wins this year, and that is largely a byproduct of their schedule featuring one tough matchup against Penn State. Aside from that, Oregon should be favored in every other game. Penn State Nittany Lions Record: 11-1 Wins: Nevada, Florida International, Villanova, Oregon, UCLA, Northwestern, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan State, Nebraska, Rutgers Losses: Ohio State Penn State is there. They have the quarterback, the experience, and the schedule to do it. Their date with the Buckeyes is circled already and is going to be telling for the Nittany Lions. Purdue Boilermakers Record: 2-10 Wins: Ball State, Southern Illinois Losses: USC, Notre Dame, Illinois, Minnesota, Northwestern, Rutgers, Michigan, Ohio State, Washington, Indiana Purdue once again is facing an uphill battle paired with a brutal schedule. At least the basketball program is one of the best in America. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Record: 7-5 Wins: Ohio, Miami (OH), Norfolk State, Minnesota, Washington, Purdue, Maryland Losses: Iowa, Oregon, Illinois, Ohio State, Penn State The Scarlet Knights aren't going to surprise anyone, but they are going to win games. They have an identity and some confidence as of lately and it once again earns them a bowl bid. UCLA Bruins Record: 4-8 Wins: UNLV, New Mexico, Maryland, Washington Losses: Utah, Northwestern, Penn State, Michigan State, Indiana, Nebraska, Ohio State, USC UCLA has been in the news with Nico Iamaleava, yet it feels like their schedule, paired with the change,s is going to result in a bumpy road. The Bruins get a rude awakening this year. USC Trojans Record: 8-4 Wins: Missouri State, Georgia Southern, Purdue, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Iowa, UCLA Losses: Illinois, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon USC wins a lot of games, but they don't win the big ones with Lincoln Riley. Most programs would take eight wins, but USC and Riley could see a split if this is the ceiling. Washington Huskies Record: 3-9 Wins: Colorado State, UC Davis, Purdue, Losses: Washington State, Ohio State, Maryland, Rutgers, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, UCLA, Oregon Another program, similar to Maryland with QB changes, Washington is still adjusting to life in the Big Ten. They seem to be burdened with the transition and it keeps hitting them this year. Wisconsin Badgers Record: 5-7 Wins: Miami (OH), Middle Tennessee, Maryland, Washington, Minnesota Losses: Alabama, Michigan, Iowa, Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, Illinois The Badgers have arguably the hardest schedule in the Big Ten. Pair that with their identity crisis and the Luke Fickell era in Madison could be coming to an end. Big Ten Championship Big Ten Championship: Ohio State vs. Penn State Big Ten Champion: Ohio State With a logjam at the top, the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions meet in Indianapolis in a rematch of a game earlier in the year. Ohio State is the defending champs, and until that is taken from them, the Big Ten remains theirs to lose, given their talent-rich roster and explosive group of skill players that is among the best in the conference.
