While he is a few years removed from his time as an NFL head coach, the world of football still reveres Jon Gruden's opinions on the sport, even at the collegiate level.
Recently, while attending a high school football game in Champaign, Gruden was asked what he thought about the Illinois Fighting Illini's upcoming season and their program as a whole. The Super Bowl-winning head coach gave the Illini his nod of approval.
"[Illinois is] a factor. You don't want to see them very often on your schedule," Gruden said.
He went on to praise the Illini's head coach, Bret Bielema, who is heading into his fifth season with the team and holds a 28-22 overall record at Illinois.
"[Bielema's] a fighter man, he's a tough guy, his defenses compete," Gruden said. "I got a lot of confidence in their head coach."
Where will Illinois fall in the Big Ten rankings?
While the Illini kick off their season with a (supposed cupcake) matchup against the Western Illinois Leathernecks, they have an uphill battle ahead of them, especially once their conference schedule is underway.
This year, Illinois will face the now-No. 20 Indiana Hoosiers on the road and has to host the defending National Champions, No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes, in Champaign. The Illini will also face the USC Trojans and Wisconsin Badgers in two Big Ten matchups that can't be ignored.
Fortunately, Illinois doesn't have to face the Penn State Nittany Lions or Oregon Ducks in the regular season, giving the Illini slightly better odds when it comes to the final Big Ten standings at the end of the year.
However, Oregon, Penn State, and Ohio State are still favored to be the top dawgs in the powerhouse conference, followed closely by Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana.
The Fighting Illini and the Leathernecks are scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT on Friday, Aug. 29. After the first kick takes place, it's up to Bielema and his players to live up to the expectations Gruden has laid before them.