ILLINOIS ENTERS 2025 WITH MOMENTUM TO CONTEND FOR THE BIG TEN TITLE
Brennan McKellar - August 25, 2025
At the helm of Illinois remains Bret Bielema, entering his fifth season as head coach and fresh off a contract extension stretching through 2030, including a salary starting at $7.7 million for 2025. Under his guidance, Illinois posted a 10–3 record in 2024, finished ranked No. 16 in the final AP poll, and secured their first bowl win since 2011 with a Citrus Bowl victory over South Carolina.
Illinois returns extensively in key areas. Quarterback Luke Altmyer, entering his third season, stands as a confident and experienced leader committed to guiding a revamped wide receiver group. The offensive line retains continuity and depth, augmented by the high-profile return of left tackle J.C. Davis, an addition celebrated by fans for bolstering protection on Altmyer’s blind side. Transfer support on the defensive line includes James Thompson Jr. from Wisconsin, Curt Neal from Wisconsin, and Tomiwa Durojaiye from Kentucky, all of whom add experience and depth up front. The linebacker corps, bolstered by signees like Leon Lowery Jr. and returners including Gabe Jacas, has benefited from valuable scheme developments by the coaching staff. In the secondary, stars like Xavier Scott headline a deep and intact unit. Scott, a 2024 First-Team All-Big Ten selection and Thorpe Award semifinalist, anchors a pass defense that remains one of the team’s strengths. With roster continuity and strategic additions, Illinois brings a balanced and confident roster into the season.
The 2025 schedule promises a mix of non-conference matchups and pivotal Big Ten clashes. One of the most anticipated is the meeting with Purdue after a rollercoaster two-year stretch in the rivalry. Illinois fell 44–19 to the Boilermakers in 2023 but responded with a thrilling 50–49 overtime win in 2024, sealing the victory with a defensive stand on Purdue’s two-point conversion attempt. The matchup with Wisconsin also carries weight after the Badgers edged Illinois in a physical contest last season, continuing a back-and-forth trend between the two programs.
Notably, the home opener will be televised on Peacock, and the matchup against Duke is slated for national primetime exposure. With passion building in Champaign, season tickets for home games have sold out for the first time in over two decades.
Experts rate Illinois’s 2025 schedule as among the most favorable in the Big Ten, ranked 17th in difficulty, with only a few high-profile matchups to navigate. While USC and Ohio State present major hurdles, the broader slate combined with roster strength offers a clear path to a historic season. Some analyses suggest a 10–2 or even 11–1 outcome is within reach.
A proven coach, a smart blend of veteran leadership and impactful transfers, and a schedule offering opportunity leave Illinois looking primed for a defining season. If chemistry holds and expectations are met, the Fighting Illini could be on a trajectory toward prominence in the Big Ten and beyond.
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As fall approaches, anticipation for the Fighting Illini season is building. With a strong core returning, the Illini are poised to make a statement in 2025.