Illinois Fighting Illini 2025 College Football Preview
Posted August 4, 2025
2024 Recap
Record – 10-3
ATS – 9-3-1
The Illini got off to a great start as they upset Kansas and CORN to move to 4-0, and then a few weeks later they surprised mighty Michigan (W 21-7) to take their record to 6-1. Illinois dropped out of Big Ten and CFP picture shortly thereafter by dropping games to Oregon and Minnesota, but they finished strong and won their final three regular season games. Getting paired up with South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl was a tough assignment but Illinois pulled yet another rabbit out of the hat and slithered past the COCKS to get to 10 wins.
Illinois Fighting Illini 2025 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Illini improved their output for the 4th consecutive season LY and put up 28 PPG (#64) thanks in large part to the efficient play of QB Luke Altmyer (22-6 TD to INT, 4 rush TD). Illinois looks poised to take another step forward with the return of Altmyer and all five (!!) starters on the offensive line that should be one of the best in the nation this year. The RB room is deep as the #2, #3, and #4 rushers are back for battle and the 1-2 combo of Kaden Feagin (6-3, 250) and Aidan Laughery (5-11, 200) is gonna be tough to handle whilst getting support from the big boys up front. The WR/TE weaponry looks a bit sketchy as they’ll be without their top-two WRs from LY including star WR Pat Bryant who’s off to the NFL so they’ll need guys like WR Collin Dixon and WR Hudson Clement (West Virginia) to step up and contribute in a meaningful way. WR Malik Elzy has some serious upside according to our DEEP ILLINOIS INSIDERS, but we’ll see how things go.
DEFENSE
The stop unit yielded a respectable 22 PPG LY(#31) but they were still fairly MILQUETOAST in comparison to their brethren in the Big Ten (#14 run D, #8 pass efficiency D, #6 sacks). This year’s defense will be one of the best in the conference as there’s good news to report at every level. The DL looks strong with the addition of a pair of talented starters from Wisconsin added to the mix and DE/LB Gabe Jacas is one of the most devastating pass rushers in the Big Ten (#2 tackles, 8 sacks, 10 QBH). LB Dylan Rosiek (#3 tackles) is a reliable force in the middle of the defense and the Illini return every (!) starter in the secondary including leading tackler Matthew Bailey (7 PBU) and Jim Thorpe Award watch list member DB Xavier Scott (6 PBU, 4 INT). Yup, we’re excited about the potential on this side of the football.
SPECIAL TEAMS
We LIKEY LIKEY.
The Illini boast a solid kicking combo in punter Keelan Crimmins (Purdue) and PK David Olano (17/20 FG LY) and they also have one of the best PRs in the Big Ten in Hank Beatty (14.1).
Schedule Analysis
Overall – There are a pair of layups in non-conference action (Western Illinois, Western Michigan) but the trip to Duke will be a battle. The Big Ten docket shapes up very nicely as they avoid Penn St, Oregon, and Michigan and they get to face Ohio St at home. If Illinois can stay in the hunt rolling into November things will get very interesting as they finish with Maryland (H), Wisconsin (A), and Northwestern (H).
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Western Michigan (Sept 13)
This game is sandwiched between the tough road trip to Duke and the yuuuuge Big Ten opener at Indiana. Also note that HC Bret Bielema has been a poor bet in the role of home favorite (see Tidbits below). This doesn’t look like an ideal situation to lay a ton of points.
Season Win Total
Market consensus – August 4
Over 7.5 -180
Under 7.5 +150
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Over
Illinois has a very strong roster and there isn’t an “unwinnable” game on the schedule.
Note – Our official list of season win total investments will be posted in the blog section of the website.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Head coach Bret Bielema has been phenomenal as a road dog during his tenure with the Illini (12-4 ATS, 75%) but not so hot in the role of home favorite (6-11-1, 35%).
Illinois recorded 10 wins last year for the first time since, wait for it, keep waiting, 2001 (!) when they went 10-2 on their way to a Sugar Bowl appearance behind the arm of Kurt Kittner.
The MEGALOCKS team is reporting LIVE from the city of Chicago and we’ve got another point to make about Illinois football and……ARGH!!! <RAT A TAT TAT…..PEW PEW> Sorry, just a bit of random gunfire and carjackings to step around and it feels like we’re in the middle of a Michael Bay film. <RAT A TAT TAT> <CHILD SCREAMING> <PEW PEW PEW> Somebody call the police! Oh wait, there are no police. Makes sense. We’re sorry, it doesn’t feel right to continue this segment when the uncertainty surrounding our very survival is the real headline.
MEGALOCKS Forecast:
We’re pretty jacked about Illinois football this year as they’ve got one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten and an elite offensive line. The defense will be one of the stingiest in the conference and the schedule will lend a helping hand. The Illini are definitely a SURPRISE PACKAGE lurking in the deep waters of the Big Ten and they’ve got a legitimate shot to contend for a conference title and make the College Football Playoff.