I’m not sure that many people saw the rise of the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Big Ten a possibility, but after a 10-3 campaign in 2024 that resulted in a Top 25 finish, head coach Bret Bielema is prepared to make it the “new normal” for the rising program.
2024 Illinois Football Breakdown:
Heading into the 2024 season, expectations were low for Bielema and the Illini, with win totals projecting around 5.5 wins for the season.
Lead by a breakout star at quarterback Luke Altmyer, the Illini smashed that win total, finishing with a record of 10-3 that included many memorable victories over numerous ranked opponents.
The Illini won 4 games against ranked opponents in 2024, (#19 Kansas, #22 Nebraska, #21 Michigan, #14 South Carolina) and we saw their offense take off, especially in the final 3 games of the regular season.
In a stretch that featured Michigan State, Rutgers and Northwestern, the Illini scored 38 points in each game during that stretch, with impressive play from Altmyer.
2024 Statistics:
QB- Luke Altmyer: 60.8%, 2717 YDS, 22 TD, 6 INT
RB- Josh McCray: 609 YDS 10 TD
RB- Aidan Laughery: 589 YDS 4 TD
WR- Pat Bryant: 54 REC 984 YDS 10 TD
WR- Zakahri Franklin: 55 REC 652 YDS 4 TD
LB- Gabe Jacas: 74 TOT 13 TFL 8 SCKS
DB- Xavier Scott: 4 INT
2025 Illinois Football Breakdown:
Bielema and the Illini have built a culture at Illinois, both on the field and in the recruiting game, and they are a team that no one will want to face in 2025.
The Illini are projected to return a Big Ten leading 16 starters in 2025 (9 Offense, 7 Defense) after winning 10 games for the first time since 2001.
They did lose both of their top receiving weapons to the NFL, but will return all 5 of their starting offensive lineman for Altmyer, who was being heavily recruited to enter the Transfer Portal a few months ago.
Key Players:
QB- Luke Altmyer:
Altmyer broke onto the scene in 2024, while he did lose his top two receiving targets to the NFL, Bielema did a solid job in the transfer portal filling those needs.
WR- Hudson Clement: (WVU Transfer)
Hudson Clement is the perfect replacement piece for Illinois this season.
Clement is speedy and versatile, and after putting up respectable numbers in the Big 12 last season, (51 REC 741 YDS 5 TD) he should be the main target for this offense in the fall.
LB- Gabe Jacas:
Gabe Jacas is ready for a double digit sack season in 2025 and the film shows that he should be a pretty decently coveted NFL draft prospect at the EDGE position come next April.
Key Games:
9/20- At Indiana
9/27- Vs USC
10/11- Vs Ohio State
10/25- At Washington
Illinois’s schedule should work in their favor this season, as they miss out on some of the conferences most ferocious opponents (Oregon, Penn State, Michigan). Though they do get the defending National Champions in Ohio State.
It will be hard to replicate another 10 win season for the program, with a tough stretch of games against Ohio State at home, followed by a bye week and then a trip to out to Washington.
2025 Illinois Record Prediction: 8-4