Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular

August 25, 2025

We are just a few days until the start of the 2025 Fighting Illini football season. Friday night the Illini face Western Illinois to begin the most anticipated Illini season since the 1990s. Let’s look at the opponents and see if you agree with the way I’ve categorized each game.

Hail Mary #1 – The “Should Dominate” Games

These games are the ones that an Illini team that is coming off a 10-3 season and currently ranked #12 in the country will be expected to win – and to win big. This is not a knock on the opponents, but more of a nod to the talent and depth of the Illini roster. If the Illini loses any of these games, one can expect the fandom to melt down post-game. Not just squawk, but a serious, full-blown meltdown.

Games: Western Illinois & Western Michigan

Hail Mary #2 – The “Should Win in the B1G” Games

The Illini are elevating through the ranks of the B1G football programs, but don’t get too confident too quickly. The Illini are in the process of earning respect across the conference. They haven’t been good enough, long enough to expect to win very often – particularly in conference games.

Still, there are a few games they should win – even in the B1G.

Games: at Purdue, Rutgers and Maryland

Hail Mary #3 – The “Better Beat Your Rivals” Games

There are three programs that the Illini have a long history of fierce battles on a nearly annual basis (as the conference gets bigger, the annual part isn’t automatic anymore). There are a few neighboring states and one in state rival that qualify in this category: Iowa, Wisconsin, Northwestern and Purdue fit this description.

This year, the Illini play Wisconsin and Northwestern. Given their rivalry, I expect hard battles and while this is a cliché, the records really do get thrown out the window before these games start. I don’t have Purdue in there for this season, because they are down. At the same time, with a first-year coach, the Boilermakers would love to beat the Illini. I don’t think that is this year for the Boilers to prevail versus the Illini. While I like the Illini chances in both these games (Wisconsin and Northwestern), they aren’t automatic.

Games: at Wisconsin and Northwestern

Hail Mary #4 – The “This Team Is Better than When We Scheduled Them” Non-Conference Game

The Duke Blue Devils host the Illini in week 2 with a formidable passing offense led by Darian Mensah who threw for 2700 yards and 22 TDs at Tulane last season. The Blue Devils are tough at home, and the Illini will be traveling to play a team that is probably a bit underrated compared to their offensive talent.

This game will be an excellent barometer to measure the strength of the Illini defense and if both Illini lines play well, the Illini should win.

Game: at Duke

Hail Mary #5 – The “Best Game Between Upstart Programs in the Nation” Game

It’s extremely rare that both the Indiana Hoosiers and the Illinois Fighting Illini are strong in the same football season. This is one of those rare years. Unfortunately, the Illini will be playing this game on the road versus Coach Cignetti. One can expect Cignetti to play the “no one respects us card” to motivate his team to play against an Illini team that is at least as much respect from the national media as his Indiana team is getting – despite Indiana's appearance in last year’s College Football Playoff (CFP).

This could be the most important game of the year for the Fighting Illini.

Game: at Indiana

Hail Mary #6 – The “Playing the Bluebloods at Home” Games

Two of the great names in college football over the last 75 years have been the Ohio State Buckeyes and the USC Trojans. These two programs come to Champaign-Urbana with very talented rosters. The Buckeyes are young, and the Trojans desperately need a big season.

On paper, the Illini may be “out-talented” by both teams. At the same time, the Illini have the talent and the coaching to compete - and beat, both teams.

In a season full of tough games, these two games offer the Illini a chance to plant their flag in the minds of entire nation and make the case they deserve to be counted as one of the best teams in the country. Win them both and the Illini are on a path to a CFP berth.

Games: USC and Ohio State

Hail Mary #7 – The “Ultimate Trap” Game

The Illini will travel to Washington to play a talented and speedy team. The Illini play the Huskies after a week off after playing the Buckeyes. Will the Illini be licking their wounds from playing Ohio State or will they be bearing down to keep their CFP chances alive and healthy?

It doesn’t really matter because the Huskies are a formidable team, particularly at home. Last year, the Huskies were 6-1 at home and 0-5 on the road. This will be a very tough game. Don’t buy into any thoughts that the Illini will go out there and coast.

If the Illini can win decisively at Washington, it will signal to the nation that this isn’t your father’s Fighting Illini football team. The last time the Huskies were beaten decisively at home was Friday November 26, 2021, when Washington State beat them 40-13.

Maybe the Illini are due to give the Huskies a beat down at home.

Games: at Washington

Hail Mary #8 – What Makes a Successful Illini Season

There are many ways to describe success for a football team, but it always comes down to winning.

The Illini are not yet a dominant team in the college football world. They are moving up the ladder. This year, Bret Bielema and the Illini are trying to put two winning seasons together. Historically, that hasn't been easy for the Illini football program.

While winning 10 games in a row for the 2^nd year would be a first in Illini football history, it’s hardly a given. Ten wins is a possibility. No doubt it would be fantastic for Illini fans.

In my book, an 8-win season will be a success for the Illini. Winning 18 games (with a chance at 19) in two seasons would be a success.

A 10-win season and a CFP berth would be heaven.

I’m all in for 10 or more wins!