Finally, the day is here, as the Illinois football team plays the first game of the 2025 season.
Western Illinois travels to Champaign to kick off the much-anticipated campaign. But if the Illini play like the other Big Ten squads, we could be in for a long night.
While last weekend opened up the season for college football, the Big Ten kicked off on Thursday night. Four teams were in action and let me tell you, this seemed like a bit of a bloodbath.
All four games were wins for the Big Ten, so why was this a bloodbath? Well, if one play goes in favor of the other team, that game immediately flips. All four Big Ten teams narrowly came away with the victory.
Wisconsin, which I have toward the bottom of the Big Ten this season, struggled against Miami (OH). It was 3-0 in favor of the Badgers at halftime. They ended up winning 17-0 thanks to the defense, but struggling against the Redhawks is never a good look.
Rutgers went down to the wire with Ohio. No, not Ohio State, just Ohio. This was a tied game into the fourth quarter with Rutgers kicking a field goal to notch the win 34-31. Minnesota was in the same boat, as they were only up 13-10 on Buffalo heading into the fourth quarter. They ended up winning the game 23-10.
And then you have Nebraska. They are a sexy pick to be toward the top of the Big Ten. Instead of coming out firing, the Cornhuskers struggled greatly against a Cincinnati team that didn’t even make a bowl game last season. Nebraska was only up 13-10 heading into the fourth quarter and barely won, 20-17.
Friday night should show that Illinois football fans won’t have to worry about a close game
Thankfully, Illinois has the weapons up and down the roster, to where we don’t have to worry about a tough game on Friday night. In addition to that fact, Western Illinois isn’t a good team.
If Illinois does come out and this is a one-score game even at halftime, I am sounding the alarms. The Illini should be able to be up by at least 17 points by the half. That number should increase to a 40+ point win in the game.
Illinois’ real non-conference starts next week with Duke. We are easing into the season, and that should bode well for the Orange and Blue.