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The two sidelines at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday will feature folks who still consider themselves good friends but will face off for the first time since Ryan Walters left Illinois for Purdue’s head coaching position. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 26, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — It was 644 days ago when three University of Illinois football assistant coaches sat courtside at Scottrade Center for the annual Braggin’ Rights men’s basketball decked out in orange and blue. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 26, 2023

Monday afternoon, I decided to take a ride to Peoria, Illinois (Que For You Barbeque Restaurant), where the announcement was taking place for All-State guard Aaliyah Guyton, who was making her college destination. With what I knew of this recruitment, I felt it was a two-team race between the Illini and Iowa Hawkeyes.

Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 26, 2023

Illinois big man Jason Jakstys recaps his official visit from the Illini. The IlliniGuys caught up with Jason to get the latest on his time spent with future teammates.

After having challenges with his head coach nearly every step of the way at Ole Miss, Luke Altmyer found his new head coach at Illinois to be a reason for his bounceback performance. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 25, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Even after a four interception performance against Penn State, it seemed like Bret Bielema wanted to handle Luke Altmyer the exact opposite way he experienced head coaching behavior at his previous stop. 

The Illini third-year head coach, while sitting down at his house next to his wife Jen watching evening college football games that night, wanted to place a phone call to Altmyer to start the confidence building of his quarterback immediately. 

Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) rebounded from the Penn State debacle to put together his best game as a collegian against Florida Atlanta on Saturday (photo courtesy Illinois Athletics).

“I didn’t want him to go to bed worried about being the starting quarterback,” Bielema said following the game on Saturday. “I was putting my daughters to bed and watching a little college football…and I didn’t want him to put his head on the pillow that night thinking ‘where am I at with my coaches here?’”

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 25, 2023

Raise your hand if you're happy with Illini football right now?  No one?  I understand.  I really do. The Illini are 2-2 and have had all too close results against their two "easy" opponents. However, it's not quite as bad as you'd think.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert

September 25, 2023

(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll update on a couple of key 2025 targets and break down the Illinois RB class vs the rest of the Big Ten.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 24, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Normally this space is designated for specific play breakdowns to identify basic Xs and Os of what the Illinois coaches are likely going over with their players before they again hit the practice field on Tuesday morning. 

However, a lot of discussion points throughout the week leading up to the Illini’s 23-17 victory over Florida Atlantic was taken up by the idea of Illinois finding some identity in all three phases of the game for the first time in the 2023 season. 

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host of the IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

September 24, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

The Illini found a way against Florida Atlantic on Saturday with a 23-17 win in a game that they didn't alleviate a lot of fears. However, the rest of the Big Ten West also looks like a group of flawed teams and the real season begins next week at Purdue.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

Sept. 24, 2023

In the last few years, the Illinois men's basketball program has done a remarkable job with the transfer portal which has served them well. Now it appears that Illinois has hit the high school scene again to develop talent.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 23, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Okay, the preseason is over. The 2023 season for Illinois begins now. 

Yes, I know Illinois has played four games throughout the month of September but they might as well have been preseason contests because none of the goals inside the Smith Family Football Complex have yet to be challenged in any way.

The losses at Kansas and to No. 7 Penn State are practically irrelevant to the goals this program set out to achieve.

By IlliniGuys Staff (Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics) CHAMPAIGN, […]

September 23, 2023 The Illini host 1-2 FAU today […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

September 23, 2023

The Illinois men's basketball program will host two official visitors this weekend: committed Yorkville, Ill., center Jason Jakstys and Point Reyes, Calif., guard Jase Butler.

Illinois near the bottom in nearly every statistical category that Bielema has valued throughout his 15-year head coaching career. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 23, 2023

Florida Atlantic at Illinois

Date/Time/Place: Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023: 2:30 p.m. CST, Memorial Stadium 

Surface: Field Turf 

Capacity: 60,670

Records: Illinois 1-2; Florida Atlantic 1-2

Betting Line: Illinois 15.5

Series notes: Illinois and FAU will meet for the first time on Saturday.

TV: Big Ten Network; Jason Ross Jr. (play-by-play), Howard Griffith (analyst), and Justine Ward (sideline)

Radio (Illinois): Brian Barnhart (PBP), Martin O'Donnell (analysis), Michael Martin (sidelines) & Steve Kelly (Pre/HT/Post) » The broadcast can be heard live on TuneIn online radio, SiriusXM (158/196), SiriusXM App, and at FightingIllini.com.

Champaign, IL — The formula to decipher Illinois’ lackluster start to the 2023 season is one Bret Bielema was given to him 31 years ago at Iowa from his Hall of Fame coach Hayden Fry.