Sturdy's Rewind: Time To Believe

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

September 8, 2025

Being an Illini football fan has been a labor of love, something that it’s almost impossible to give up and almost impossible to not feel some form of anxiety no matter how far and fast the hype train goes. Even national pundits still doubted the Illini despite the #11 ranking and the 18 returning starters.

They picked Duke, one by one, heading into the game. Duke had the $4 million dollar quarterback, won 9 games a year ago and were at home, of course. And . . .

 

Premium Members Only. Please Subscribe To View The Full Article

  • One-stop destination for Illini sports news, analysis and interactive contents.
  • Weekly podcasts including "Sturdy for 30" and "I on the Illini"
  • Illini Guys Zoom Calls" during games and special events
  • Special appearances by "Illini Legends" and other national sports personalities
  • Video breakdowns and game analysis
  • Owned, managed and run by diehard Illini fans for Illini fans everywhere

Podcasts

Illini Football Preview - Wisconsin #525

Listen

Fighting Illini Smother Maryland 24-6 #524

Listen

Fighting Illini Paste Colgate 84-65 #523

Listen

IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular - Illini BB Defeat Texas Tech, FB Over Rutgers & Illini Legend Craig Swoope's Battle - S5Ep14 - 11.14.25

Listen

I on the Illini LIVE - Illini Defeat Texas Tech 81-77 Thriller #522

Listen

Illini Football Preview - Maryland #521

Listen

IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular – Illini FB, BB, Ked Prince & Illini Women's BB's CeCe Parchment – S5Ep13 – 11.7.25

Listen

Illini Crush Jackson State 113-55 #520

Listen

Illini Pound Rutgers for 35-13 Victory - #519

Listen

IlliniGuys Pregame LIVE & Halftime LIVE Sampler - Rutgers at Illini #518

Listen

IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular – FB vs Rutgers, BB Opener Coming, Women's BB Exhibition & Soccer Wins in B1G – S5Ep12 – 10.31.25

Listen

Illini Football Preview - Rutgers #517

Listen

Illini Fall to Huskies 42-25 - #516

Listen

Sports Spectacular - Illini FB Clash with Washington & Illini BB Ready for Tipoff - S5Ep11 - 10.24.25

Listen

Illinois Football Preview - Washington #515

Listen

Subscriber Testimonials:

"I am a member of three different paid sites, [but] I wanted to tell you that the collective insight from the leadership of this place is second to none.  
 
It is remarkable how often I feel like I know what is going to happen before it happens. I am so appreciative of the obvious hard work that you guys are giving ....
 
You guys, in a short time, have shown me that you are the best at what you do."
Join the conversation here!

Not a member? Join our mailing list:

© 2025 LMBC Sports, LLC. All rights reserved. 

Use of any part of this site constitutes express acceptance of the Site Terms. LMBC Sports, LLC, including its Illini Guys website, is an independent media organization, and is not affiliated with the University of Illinois.