Jon Rhoades

Joined: Apr 25, 2025

Pat McAfee hosts the ESPN College GameDay show before the first round of the College Football Playoff between Notre Dame and Indiana on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in South Bend.

3 ways ESPN has shown a bias against Illinois and Big Ten football

Oct 26, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema watches players warm up before a game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

New metric will have Illinois fresh for a run at the College Football Playoff

Jul 22, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Illinois head coach Bret Bielema speaks to the media during the Big Ten NCAA college football media days at Mandalay Bay Resort. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images

How Illinois head coach Bret Bielema handles NIL with a development focus

Nov 11, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema reacts to a call during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois vs. Indiana position breakdown of the biggest game in series history

Dec 2, 2006; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Illinois Illini head coach Bruce Weber against the Arizona Wildcats at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-US Presswire Copyright Rick Scuteri

Remembering the Miracle on Mannheim: Illinois’ historic 2005 comeback against Arizona

Oct 19, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Why Illinois' College Football 26 roster signals a big 2025 season

Mar 14, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Illinois basketball poised for strong Big Ten title run despite underrated odds

Nov 2, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

What are the floor and ceiling for Illinois football in 2025

Mar 21, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA: Illinois Fighting Illini forward Will Riley (7) drives to the hoop past Xavier Musketeers forward Jerome Hunter (2) during the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

The Illinois basketball path forward without Will Riley

Nov 12, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Purdue Boilermakers running back Devin Mockobee (45) runs with the ball as Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) pursues during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois pass rusher included on ESPN's top 25 playmakers in college football

Oct 26, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema watches players warm up before a game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Illinois poised for College Football Playoff berth with this key win

Mar 11, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; California Golden Bears guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) with the ball in the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Illinois' best addition of the offseason might not be who you think it is

Nov 2, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois football fans shouldn’t underestimate this early opponent

Illinois Fighting Illini forward Will Riley (7) rushes past Iowa Hawkeyes forward Payton Sandfort (20) on Thursday, March 13, 2025, during the second round of the men's Big Ten tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Illinois Fighting Illini defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes, 106-94.

A big reason why Will Riley needs to come back to Illinois for one more season

Mar 23, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the second half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against the Kentucky Wildcats at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Illinois faces tough road during the 2025-26 Big Ten schedule

Sep 14, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema on the sidelines during the second half against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Is Illinois the Big Ten’s dark horse? A bold top 10 ranking explained