Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular

September 16, 2025

The Illinois Fighting Illini football team hasn’t been able to put together a complete game of solid execution to this point in the season. That said, this isn’t your father’s or your grandfather’s Fighting Illini.

Despite slow first halves at Duke and Western Michigan, the Illini are 3-0 with a 135 to 22 advantage in points scored. Yes, those victories come over two directional teams, but it also included a team that won 9 games last year but sits at 1-2 to start the season.

Back in the day (how many bad stories start with that phrase), the Illini would lose one of those early games to the frustration of coaches, players and Illini fans. That was before Bret Bielema showed up.

Under Bielema, the Illini are good enough to struggle through a half and still have the lead. These Bielema Illini can right the ship and produce the wide victory margin that one anticipated when the schedule was released months ago.

This is the Bielema Era of the Fighting Illini football program. It’s whole new world that Illini fans are used to - and it’s more fun!

Hail Mary #1 – Illinois vs Indiana – A Storied Rivalry

This is one of the most storied rivalries in the sport – of basketball.

Illinois versus Indiana in football hasn’t exactly been a hot bed of great games that determined anything on a national basis or even on a B1G basis. That could change this season.

The B1G expects to land 4 spots in the CFP this year. If the season plays out according to expectations, the Buckeyes, Ducks, and Nittany Lions would fill the first three spots. The last spot is expected to be a battle between Illinois, Indiana, USC and possibly Washington or Iowa.

According to Illinois Athletics, the only time both teams met while both were ranked in the AP Top 25 was October 28, 1950. On that day, #12 Illinois beat #19 Indiana 20-0 in Champaign. We will have to ask Loren Tate (the Dean of B1G Sportswriters) for his impressions on that game as I wasn’t even a gleam in my dad’s eye at that time.

When it comes to history of this matchup, the Illini lead the series with 46 wins, 25 losses and 3 ties. Bret Bielema is 8-1 versus the Hoosiers with his only loss coming as the Illini coach during a 23-20 victory marred by some questionable officiating calls. Curt Cignetti the Indiana Hoosiers head coach, has never coached against the Fighting Illini. Indiana leads the series 16-13 when playing in Bloomington, IN.

This game potentially is critical for both programs, for the first time in a long time.

And this time the Illini are ranked #9 and Indiana #19 by the AP. It’s only been 75 years since their last Top 25 matchup!

Hail Mary #2 – Indiana Hoosiers So Far

It’s hard to know what to make of the 2025 Indiana Hoosiers. They are coming off a CFP berth and an 11-2 record with their only losses to Ohio State and Notre Dame (in the CFP).

This season the Hoosiers have replaced many key starters starting with quarterback Kurtis Rourke being drafted by the Niners. Fernando Mendoza transferred from Cal and is another perfect fit for Cignetti’s offense.

It’s hard to know just how good this season’s Indiana team is compared to last year’s level of play. One can’t tell when the opponents are Old Dominion, Kennesaw State, and Indiana State. Illinois has played a Duke team with high expectations but may have hurt their own case by beating Duke so bad that the Blue Devils lost the following week to Tulane. With Duke and Western Michigan, it's a little easier to judge the Illini's abilities.

The Hoosiers will have to adjust to the speed and strength of the Illini compared to the level of teams they have been playing. Can the Illini have an uncharacteristic fast start? It would really help if it takes time for the Hoosiers to acclimate to playing a B1G team.

No one knows what to predict with this matchup. Clearly, Indiana is talented and well coached. We will be able to figure out how talented and how well coached both the Hoosiers and Illini are after Saturday night’s game.

Hail Mary #3 – What We Know

The teams are comparable statistically.

On defense, the Hoosiers are 8^th in scoring defense, and the Illini are 29^th. In rushing defense, the Illini are tied for 11^th while the Hoosiers are at 58^th. In passing defense, the Hoosiers are 10^th, and the Illini are tied for 103^rd. That lower Illini ranking is a tribute to the talent of Duke’s QB Mensah.

On offense, the Hoosiers are 11^th for scoring offense, and the Illini are 14^th. In rushing offense, the Hoosiers are 3^rd, and the Illini are 71^st. On passing offense, the Hoosiers are 24^th, while the Illini are 36^th.

It’s time to see how these statistics square up while facing B1G competition. This should be a fantastic game. Something has to give in this Top 25 matchup.

Hail Mary #4 – Offensive Line

The one area of concern for me is the offensive line. Despite having a ton of experience returning on the offensive line, the Illini have allowed 7 sacks in 3 games. They cannot do this against the Hoosiers.

• If the Illini offensive line plays like they did in the first half against Duke and Western Michigan, the Illini will struggle on the road against the Hoosiers.
• If the Illini offensive line plays like they did in the second half against Duke and Western Michigan, the Illini will have an outstanding chance at beating the Hoosiers in Bloomington.

Even if things don’t go perfectly, the Illini will be facing USC the next week. It’s going to be a weekly war to get through the B1G schedule.

The newer and bigger B1G is a buzzsaw. That's why this matchup is so critical. Either #19 Indiana or #9 Illinois will get a leg up this weekend.

And it’s just the first test of the season!