The Illinois football team has taken care of business through the non-conference portion of the 2025 season, and it is now time to get into the meat and potatoes for the Orange and Blue.
There's certainly been some alarming issues through the first couple of weeks. Some key injuries, underperforming position groups we expected to anchor the Illini, and a top receiver struggling to find his rhythm.
With all that being said, the Illini did get through the first quarter of the season unscathed. They move into Big Ten play with expectations higher than they've ever been in my tenure of being a fan.
Growing up, my family had season tickets, and most of my fall Saturdays were spent in Lot 31 and inside historic Memorial Stadium. I endured the final years of Ron Zook, Tim Beckman, and Lovie Smith. I never expected much beyond a good time with my family and friends.
Most years, by October, the stands were half-empty, and the fans started to shift their attention to basketball. There were never high hopes, and a single Big Ten win (outside of Rutgers) was viewed as a defining moment.
11 years ago today the peak of the Tim Beckman era began pic.twitter.com/Ek5eFQ2pzq
— RPO The Jewels (@WhityRemarks) August 30, 2025
Not anymore, those days are gone. Times have changed. Low expectations and fleeting moments of joy have given way to lofty goals and the fear of falling short.
Sometimes I go back and forth on which I enjoyed more. At least, with low expectations, I couldn't really be disappointed, but I also never cared as much as I do now. The answer is quite obvious, though. This is much better.
The chance to play a big game on NBC in a primetime slot? Absolutely. Sign me up. Just a few years ago, Illinois vs Indiana would've been relegated to the BTN overflow channel at 11 AM. I will not take this for granted.
The fact that we're even discussing Big Ten Championships, a Heisman-hopeful quarterback, and the College Football Playoff is mind-blowing to me. Tell that to ten-year-old Kam, and he would've laughed in your face. All I ever wanted was to break even and make the GoDaddy Bowl.
The years of mediocre football were numbing, but they've made me deeply grateful for where this program is now.
So, whether you're in the stands in Bloomington, braving enemy territory, or watching from your couch, take a moment to appreciate how far this program has come. We're lucky to witness this era of Illinois Football
Happy Saturday, ILL.