5 key observations from the Illinois football win over Central Michigan

5. This was the perfect start for the 2024 Illini season

This is a rarity for the Illinois football program. They have started better than I predicted in the game-by-game 2024 season outlook.

I would say about 99% of the time, I have Illinois winning games that they actually end up losing. This season is different, though. Illinois has started 3-0, and I had them projected to lose to Kansas.

This is the perfect start for the Illini this season. I know people are going to read that and say, “Yeah, duh, we are 3-0.” While that is literally a perfect start, beginning the season 3-0 is bigger than just being undefeated.

Illinois starting 3-0 is huge because of what lies ahead on the schedule. We are about to enter a stretch on the schedule that I am not sure I have ever seen in program history.

Through the first three games, Illinois has already beaten a top-25 program in Kansas. Now, we get a chance at a few more. This Friday, Illinois travels to Nebraska to take on the No. 23 Cornhuskers. That is going to be an insane test.

Following the Nebraska game, Illinois stays on the road and travels to No. 8 Penn State. We get a little bit of a break with a home game against Purdue, but then the schedule ramps back up with a home game against No. 17 Michigan and then on the road against No. 9 Oregon.

So, in the next five games, Illinois plays four top-25 programs. Three of those ranked opponents are on the road as well.

When I say this was a perfect start to the Illinois season, it means more than just being undefeated. That win over Kansas gives us a cushion and confidence over the next month of contests.