We are just hours away from the Illinois football team kicking off against an opponent we aren’t too familiar with.
Despite USC being in the same conference, it has been a long time since the Illini have played the Trojans. You have to go back to the drubbing at the 2008 Rose Bowl to find the last time the two were on the same field.
Illinois fans don’t like to remember the end of that 2007 season. It was more of the middle chunks, when we upset No. 1 Ohio State, that gave us the good memories. Something similar is happening in 2025 as well.
The Illini were handed another drubbing. Indiana dragged us 63-10 last week. It was one of the worst losses of my lifetime, and I can’t shake it yet. But much like the 2007 season, do you know what can put that game in the distant memory bank of my mind?
A win over No. 21 USC.
Heading into Saturday, Illinois doesn’t have a good light shining on them right now. The national media is talking down about the Orange and Blue, and they should after a 53-point loss. But what no one is talking about is the golden opportunity Illinois has on Saturday.
Bret Bielema has a chance to silence all of the critics. We can put that ugly loss in the rear-view mirror with a victory over another top 25 program. No one would talk about the Indiana loss if Illinois could take down a darling of the college football world right now in USC.
This game could also set up a run for Illinois that still keeps us alive for the College Football Playoff. We are still No. 23 in the country, and beating the Trojans will move us into the top 20 again. There is still plenty of work left to do, but this season would be right back on track with a victory.
I think a victory over USC could also mean back-to-back 10-win seasons in the future. Illinois would be on the right track to notch another 10-win campaign, and in the 134-year history, Illinois has never had back-to-back 10-win seasons.
Help arrived on Friday night, and more help could come on Saturday for the Illinois football program
Illinois alone will have a hard time getting to the College Football Playoff. The more carnage from other programs, the better chance Illinois has of getting a coveted spot.
Friday night had some good results. No. 8 Florida State took a hit. They fell to unranked Virginia in overtime. That will surely drop them to outside the top 10 and likely around No. 13.
It wasn’t a bad thing for No. 24 TCU to lose, too. With a win, their resume becomes stronger. Let’s knock those teams down a bit.
Illinois has a big moment on Saturday. We can lay another egg, move to 3-2, and the hope for a spot in the College Football Playoff is over. The other option is shock the world. We are big underdogs, and the country is laughing at us right now. Let’s get things thing back on track and forge ahead. USC is target No. 1.