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Big Ten analysts leave the Fighting Illini just shy of natty contenders

Two Big Ten analysts have high hopes for the Illinois Fighting Illini, but they both left the team just short of contending for a National Championship.
BySam Fariss|
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) points to one of his blockers as he runs with the ball in the second quarter of a Big Ten football game against Penn State, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in State College, Pa.
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) points to one of his blockers as he runs with the ball in the second quarter of a Big Ten football game against Penn State, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in State College, Pa. | Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Things look promising for the Fighting Illini as the 2025 season rapidly approaches and head coach Bret Bielema prepares his team for yet another year of Big Ten football.

With a fairly easy schedule in conference play and just one notable opponent in its non-conference matchups, Illinois is seemingly set to finish with just a pair of losses on the regular season, including an 8-1 finish in the Big Ten.

However, despite the projected impressive finish in one of the top conferences in the country, not many people are talking about the Fighting Illini as one of the top teams in the nation.

In fact, a duo of Big Ten analysts actually have three conference opponents as "Elite Championship Contenders," while they list Illinois as "Good but not Championship Contenders."

Jon Rhoades and Jeff McMichael are long-time Big Ten experts, breaking down the conference on The Big Ten Huddle, their podcast that provides daily coverage of both men's basketball and football in the Big Ten.

Could Illinois play in the 2025 Big Ten Championship game?

Illinois' biggest conference game of the season will happen when the Fighting Illini host the defending National Champions, the Ohio State Buckeyes. More likely than not, this game will be Illinois' only loss to a Big Ten opponent in the regular season, leading many to believe the team would punch its ticket to the conference championship.

However, without teams like Oregon, Penn State, or Michigan on the schedule, the Fighting Illini's resume won't stack up in comparison to a lot of other teams in the Big Ten.

This isn't to say that it isn't possible for Illinois to make its way to the Big Ten title game. If the other top teams (Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, and Indiana) all beat up on each other, Illinois could walk away from the regular season with the best record in the conference.

It will all come down to the strength of schedule and head-to-head matchups, as well as wins and losses versus common opponents. For example, if Oregon and Illinois both finish with an 8-1 record in Big Ten play but the Ducks defeat the Indiana Hoosiers by more points than the Fighting Illini, Oregon would likely get the nod for the Big Ten Championship.

Could Illinois make the College Football Playoffs?

Last year, everyone watched in horror or satisfaction as teams (i.e., Oregon and Georgie) that won their respective conference championships lost in their opening appearance of the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoffs. Meanwhile, teams like Ohio State and Notre Dame, who didn't even play in their conference title games, stormed their way to the National Championship.

So, yes, if Illinois pulls off an 8-1 record in Big Ten play and a 10-2 or 11-1 record during the regular season, the team would have an incredible argument to earn its first-ever berth into the CFPs.

The Fighting Illini are scheduled to kick off their 2025 campaign on Friday, Aug. 29, when Illinois hosts the Western Illinois Leathernecks.

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