https://writingillini.com/college-football-playoff-hopes-for-illinois-comes-down-to-three-key-gamesWriting IllinienCollege Football Playoff hopes for Illinois comes down to three key gamescollege football,college football playoff,ap top 25,illinois football,Illinois fighting illini2026-08-17T16:42:46Z2026-08-17T16:43:54Zhttps://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_2439,h_1371,x_0,y_92/c_fill,w_2880,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ReutersImages/mmsport/140/01m089m7m5caay4em209.jpgNov 15, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Hudson Clement (13) reacts after a catch and run during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Imageshttps://writingillini.com/brad-underwood-stacks-5-star-official-visits-with-darius-wabbington-coming-to-illinoisWriting IllinienBrad Underwood stacks 5-star official visits with Darius Wabbington coming to IllinoisIllinois Fighting Illini,Illinois basketball,recruiting,Brad Underwood,Darius Wabbington,David Mirkovic2026-08-17T16:32:21Z2026-08-17T16:32:21Zhttps://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3103,h_1745,x_0,y_104/c_fill,w_2880,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/140/01m085y9m6ngejcpbcjb.jpgIllinois v UConnhttps://writingillini.com/illinois-football-has-another-uphill-climb-to-prove-ap-top-25-doubters-wrongWriting IllinienIllinois football has another uphill climb to prove AP Top 25 doubters wrongillinois football,ap top 25,Illinois fighting illini,college football2026-08-17T16:11:34Z2026-08-17T16:11:34Zhttps://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3552,h_1998,x_0,y_111/c_fill,w_2880,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ReutersImages/mmsport/140/01m087tqsjcxj0w0rdg5.jpgSep 6, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema reacts during the third quarter against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Imageshttps://writingillini.com/prediction-of-first-ap-top-25-should-have-illinois-football-fans-annoyedWriting IllinienPrediction of first AP Top 25 should have Illinois football fans annoyedap top 25,illinois football,Illinois fighting illini,college football2026-08-17T00:45:26Z2026-08-17T00:45:26Zhttps://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4505,h_2534,x_0,y_70/c_fill,w_2880,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ReutersImages/mmsport/140/01m06jv8jkrg6s1tn2xa.jpgSep 13, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema reacts during the second half against the Western Michigan Broncos at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Imageshttps://writingillini.com/david-mirkovic-named-at-top-of-his-position-heading-into-crucial-illinois-basketball-seasonWriting IllinienDavid Mirkovic named at top of his position heading into crucial Illinois basketball seasonDavid Mirkovic,illinois basketball,Illinois fighting illini,college basketball2026-08-16T23:54:33Z2026-08-16T23:54:33Zhttps://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_7494,h_4215,x_0,y_213/c_fill,w_2880,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ReutersImages/mmsport/140/01m05rt6cstb537st1qe.jpgMar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) looks on in the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Imageshttps://writingillini.com/game-by-game-prediction-for-the-illinois-football-2026-seasonWriting IllinienGame-by-game prediction for the Illinois football 2026 seasonillinois football,Illinois fighting illini,college football,2026 schedule2026-08-16T15:19:41Z2026-08-16T15:19:41Zhttps://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_7779,h_4375,x_0,y_208/c_fill,w_2880,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ReutersImages/mmsport/140/01m05habc1m161ph25mt.jpgOct 4, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Ca'Lil Valentine (5) celebrates a touchdown during the second quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Imageshttps://writingillini.com/devon-witherspoon-sets-nfl-and-illinois-football-history-with-his-bank-accountWriting IllinienDevon Witherspoon sets NFL and Illinois football history with his bank accountillinois football,Devon Witherspoon,Seattle Seahawks,Illinois fighting illini,NFL2026-08-15T21:20:24Z2026-08-15T21:24:10Zhttps://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_6251,h_3516,x_0,y_181/c_fill,w_2880,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ReutersImages/mmsport/140/01m03mprmjadme60q8xp.jpgFeb 5, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) talks to media members at the San Jose Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images