illini55
- The Villages, FL
It probably should be more than 9.
Illini Football 2024
- Status
I think it's an ESPN bias ranking..That 100 million a team TV rights to the ONLY nationwide conference sports Network will change that soon..
I know this is the world we live in now but I'm curious to know how many of those guys have only played at 1 college. It can't be many.
To just throw it out there, and FWLIW, Iowa's got by far the most favorable schedule of all the B10 teams I've seen through...
Check out Rutgers' schedule. Their only ranked team is #23 USC. Iowa's is probably second easiest but at least has OSU on the road.
Arkin transfered from Colorado State..
True. I don't know it's just odd to me.
I do agree that Luke not being a captain is a little odd, but since it’s voted on by the players I’m not too concerned.
TheFlyingIllini1317
- Chicago, IL
Not concerned at all about Luke not being a captain
Illiniblueorange
- Pontoon Beach IL
Luke not captain, reminds me of the movie Draft Day
If we were to beat Kansas and start 2-0, we have a shot at being ranked? Question mark for sure but if the dominos fall... 
Think we would be in the "others receiving votes" though...
Think we would be in the "others receiving votes" though...
Mr. Tibbs
- southeast DuPage
kinda doubt it unless we just dominated both games by huge scoresIf we were to beat Kansas and start 2-0, we have a shot at being ranked? Question mark for sure but if the dominos fall...
Think we would be in the "others receiving votes" though...
we play KU at home . they won’t likely be huge favorites
TentakilRex
- Land O Insects between Quincy-Macomb-Jacksonville
I am going to say it right now, the Kansas game is key....If we were to beat Kansas and start 2-0, we have a shot at being ranked? Question mark for sure but if the dominos fall...
Think we would be in the "others receiving votes" though...
Win convincingly- Great season including an upset of one of Michigan, Penn State, and/or Oregon
Close win - 2022 replay but end stronger
Close loss- Can still squeak into a bowl, 6-6 or 7-5
Repeat of last year- this season will be ugly, the Bielema might be over soon afterwards
But legitimately, I have a feeling after this team will be a reverse 2022 team, great offense and iffy defense.
Iowa historically never plays tough opponents in their non conference schedule. They never even leave the state of Iowa until Big 10 play. That’s why they make bowl games every year. Gunther should have implemented that kind of schedule years ago for Illinois.
Nah. Whatever you do, don't be like Iowa.
Having a hard time believing we won't receive votes and get some consideration though...especially after CMU and if it's 3-0...
I mean...if Colorado (this program just confuses me honestly...anywhoo...) is worthy of a preseason T25 vote, we're worthy of one if we knock KU.
And in all seriousness, if you beat a ranked team early in the year with an undefeated record, you'll generally get consideration. I remember Florida in '22 beating Utah and getting in. Not even sure they made a bowl. We of course know about Colorado (again) last year.
And after all, this is a team people really like. They're good. Was kinda surprised to see them just #22. Def. think they have the potential to have a TCU like run.
Tough test (but doable IMO), and would really mean a lot if able to pull it off!
Last edited:
If it's a repeat of last year's game, that'd stink a little...
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
90+% wins:
Eastern Illinois
Central Michigan
90+% loss:
Michigan
@Penn State
@Oregon
Everything Else
Michigan State
Purdue
Northwestern (Wrigley)
Minnesota
@Rutgers
Kansas
@Nebraska
Must win four games in that last group to make a bowl (4-3). Positives? Five of those games are home or neutral field. Two of those games have a bye directly preceding them. Kansas is the ceiling game (beat them and you open the door for 7, maybe 8 wins). Purdue is the floor game (lose to them and you're staring at 2-6 after October). Goal for me? Be 4-4 after the Oregon game. Illinois has only one road game after October with the NW game being at Wrigley. The last four games are winnable, with a 3-1 finish being plausible.
Eastern Illinois
Central Michigan
90+% loss:
Michigan
@Penn State
@Oregon
Everything Else
Michigan State
Purdue
Northwestern (Wrigley)
Minnesota
@Rutgers
Kansas
@Nebraska
Must win four games in that last group to make a bowl (4-3). Positives? Five of those games are home or neutral field. Two of those games have a bye directly preceding them. Kansas is the ceiling game (beat them and you open the door for 7, maybe 8 wins). Purdue is the floor game (lose to them and you're staring at 2-6 after October). Goal for me? Be 4-4 after the Oregon game. Illinois has only one road game after October with the NW game being at Wrigley. The last four games are winnable, with a 3-1 finish being plausible.
- Status