Football

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

December 4, 2022

Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema said that he is going to build a program the right way: he is going to add depth to a roster that shows stability and, most importantly, a competitive one.

An NCAA football playoff that mimics its basketball tournament isn't as hard as you might think.

By Larry Smith - IlliniGuys Staff

December 4, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy TCU Athletics)

There was one thing missing from college football's Championship Saturday:

Reward.

11th ranked Utah upset #4 USC for the Pac-12 title.  #10 Kansas State stunned 3rd ranked TCU in overtime to take the prize in the Big 12.  Both losses could knock the Trojans and Horned Frogs out of the four-team College Football Playoff.  Neither win does anything for the Utes or Wildcats in their quest for a national title.

So...what's the point?

Veteran defensive back Nicario Harper finds what will be his fourth home in five years out of the transfer portal.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 3, 2022

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The fourth school in the last five years for defensive back Nicario Harper will be the University of Illinois.

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Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

December 2, 2022

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

December 5 is looming as the first official day the FBS portal opens.

Bret Bielema’s bully ball philosophy nets every 2022 Illinois starting offensive lineman honored with a postseason all-conference selection. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

December 1, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy David Craan/Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- It was a two-word message on Twitter by the offensive line coach at the University of Illinois that summed up a major reason for the resurgence of the football program. 

“All Five!!!” Bart Miller tweeted on Nov. 30 with the hashtags of #OLP #Illini #famILLy #GetDeveloped. 

The regular season finale version of the film review showcases how sophomore walk-on quarterback Cole Freeman had no chance for success outside of the pocket. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 30, 2022

Ryan Walters had a very specific plan for the sophomore walk-on quarterback his Illinois defense was facing in the regular season finale. 

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

November 30, 2022

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

Good luck following the transfer portal as it’s already out of control and the FBS window hasn’t even opened.

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

November 28, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

While Illinois' last regular season game devolved into a JV contest against Northwestern for the second year in a row, I'm still smarting enough from the Wildcats' previous six wins that I'm willing to sit through several more games like that before I'll be satisfied after watching all too many Northwestern celebrations recently.  Regardless, there were still quite a few fun plays to break down before the Mildcats lost their steam and Illinois subbed in the reserves.

I'm going to start this week's report with back to back plays that highlight the present and the future of the Illini running game.  The first play is the play in which Chase Brown got a little dinged up and the second is a similar play to the other side of the field with Reggie Love carrying the ball.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

November 28, 2022

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

The regular season is in the books with a surprise 8-4 record but also some disappointment at losing the Big Ten West when it was theirs to have.

Mike Cagley, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular Cover photo courtesy […]

Before the death of his father-in-law, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema verbally laid into his players Tuesday causing a mental reshift and leading into a 41-3 win at Northwestern.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 26, 2022

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Bret Bielema said he felt his Illinois football team would play “extremely pissed off this week” and it turns out the Illini head coach was the cause for some of that anger. 

By IlliniGuys Staff

November 26, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

EVANSTON, Ill. - Sydney Brown forced three turnovers and scored two defensive touchdowns as Illinois forced six turnovers in all to snap a three-game slide with a 41-3 demolition of rival Northwestern Saturday afternoon.

The win kept the Illini (8-4, 5-4 in Big Ten) in play for the conference's West Division title and a shot at a Big Ten Championship game berth next Saturday in Indianapolis for the moment, but a short time later Purdue rallied from a 7-3 deficit to post a 31-10 win at Indiana to clinch the West and head to Indy to face East Division champion and 3rd ranked Michigan.  The eight wins represents Illinois' most successful season since 2007, when they won 9 games en route to a Rose Bowl appearance.

By Larry Smith - IlliniGuys Staff

November 26, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy David Craan/Illinois Athletics)

Remember that moment when Illinois found itself among the College Football Playoff rankings for the first time ever?  The pride within the program.  The euphoria among fans.  The giddy speculation by the media.  

It was a glorious time in the annals of Illini football.  It was a moment that happened...just 25 days ago.

November 26, 2022 The Illini's losing streak moved up […]