Illinois football just went to the West Coast and got picked apart by the Washington Huskies.
The following days, or really until the next win, won’t be fun for Illini fans. This was a game that, if we won, Illinois had a legit shot to run the table and make the College Football Playoff for the first time ever.
Entering the 2025 campaign, Illinois had something that we haven’t had in 35 years.
Expectations.
The last time the Illini were ranked in the top 15 entering the season was back in 1990, when we started as the No. 11 team in the country. Illinois was coming off a 10-2 campaign, and that 1990 season ended at 8-4 and finished No. 25 in the nation.
Illinois’ current generations of fans, so anyone younger than 45 years old, have never had true expectations. There was a chance Illinois could at least have a ticket to get to the national championship this season. That is something that hasn’t been felt in decades.
It is exciting to have those expectations. Illinois won 10 games last season, beat an SEC team in a bowl game, and we returned a ton of talent. Starting the season ranked No. 12, and getting up to No. 9 is exciting. Illinois shouldn’t forget those feelings.
While excitement is at the party, guess who else is invited?
Pain.
Now, don’t get pain confused with hopelessness. This isn’t the same feeling as you had six or so years ago when the Illini had a stretch in the Lovie Smith era that won 17 games in five seasons. That feeling was hopelessness. During those times, Illinois was running 1000 miles per hour and going nowhere.
The pain we are feeling today comes because the team is good. The expectations were high, and the chips didn’t fall our way. But this pain only means that Illinois is playing meaningful football. In a way, it is a good pain. It means something is being built in Champaign that has staying power. Moreover, it means that fans care again.
College Football Playoff hopes are dashed, but the Illinois football 2025 season is not lost
Man, I was hoping Illinois would get a shot at a national championship. I didn’t expect to win, but to be a part of the hubbub would have been fun.
Now that those hopes are gone, let’s focus on finishing the season strong. So, we can’t make the CFP, but do you know what we can do?
Win 9 games.
Finishing the season 9-3 would give Illinois the third-most wins for the program in a single season since 2000. We could also win the bowl game, notching another 10-win campaign, which would give the Illini back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time…EVER.
The Illinois football team still has plenty to play for on and off the field. Recruiting is also something to keep in mind. Getting the program to another nine or 10-win season would look good for potential recruits.
Don’t lose hope. Don’t lose faith in this program. Illinois isn’t making the CFP, but we are still a good team. While pain is invited to the party, don’t let it control the music and bring down the fun. There is still plenty of partying left to do in 2025.