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EXPLAINED: 5 | Vintage Vibes

No. 25 Illinois thinks things have improved after an underachieving season

With eight players back from last season, the Illini have one of the most experienced rosters in the nation.

Chicago Sun-Times

Upon further review, it wasn’t the refs who choked away Illinois’ big lead against Wisconsin

Bret Bielema is deep enough into his third head coaching stop that you’re not wrong for worrying that the needle has started to move in the wrong direction.

Chicago Sun-Times

Illini allow 18 fourth-quarter points to lose against visiting Wisconsin

Braedyn Locke threw a 3-yard TD pass to lineman Nolan Rucci with 27 seconds left to lift Badgers

Chicago Sun-Times

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Big Game Hunting: With Jim Harbaugh under scrutiny, Michigan needs tunnel vision at MSU

The sweet stench of payback is in the air after a pair of Wolverines players were beaten by Spartans postgame in 2022.

Chicago Sun-Times

After a big win at Maryland, Illinois coach Bret Bielema needs more of the same, not excuses

Players are to blame in college football only when coaches are made of teflon, and Bielema hasn’t afforded himself that kind of comfort in three years on the job.

Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois beats Maryland on Caleb Griffin’s 43-yard field goal on final play

Luke Altmyer threw two touchdown passes and then guided the Illini into field-goal range after Maryland’s Jack Howes tied it with a 48-yard kick with 1:31 remaining.

Chicago Sun-Times

Big Game Hunting: Hello, Oregon-Washington! Can the Big Ten expect this all the time?

With both the Ducks and the Huskies ranked in the top 10 for the first time in 103 meetings between the schools, this one checks just about every box imaginable.

Chicago Sun-Times

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Illinois’ Bielema, Notre Dame’s Freeman high on list of struggling coaches after Week 6

The Illini have gone so far in the wrong direction, it’s fair to ask if the program is in any better condition midway through Bret Bielema’s third season than it was on Lovie Smith’s last day.

Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois falls at home to Nebraska, drops to 0-3 in Big Ten

The Illini rushed for only 21 yards and managed just one scoring drive against the Cornhuskers.

Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois, Nebraska still searching for first Big Ten win

A key matchup to watch on the field: Illinois’ turnover-prone and slow-starting offense against Nebraska’s defense. Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer has thrown seven interceptions, and the Illini have lost four fumbles.

Chicago Sun-Times

Forde Yard Dash: Struggling Powerhouses Are Running Out of Time

Several giants, from Florida to Nebraska, are in decline to start the season. But which teams can turn things around before it’s too late?

Sports Illustrated

Illinois football has an identity, all right — it’s just not a very flattering one

The Illini, 2-3 after a 44-19 loss at Purdue, are the most disappointing team in what arguably is the worst Big Ten West division ever.

Chicago Sun-Times

Third-quarter flurry leads Purdue to rout of Illinois

Hudson Card threw two touchdown passes, Devin Mockobee and Dylan Downing each had TD runs and Purdue used a 21-point third-quarter to pull away for a 44-19 victory.

Chicago Sun-Times

Big Game Hunting: Is Notre Dame at Duke good timing or bad timing for the Irish?

Marcus Freeman’s team has to pull it together after an inexcusable end to the Ohio State game.

Chicago Sun-Times

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Chicago Sun-Times

Luke Altmyer bounces back, leads Illinois comeback win over Florida Atlantic

Altmyer threw a touchdown pass and ran for another and Isaiah Williams caught eight passes for 120 yards to lead Illinois to a 23-17 victory.

Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois football is an ugly mess … and still good enough to win the Big Ten West

Chances are, it’ll still essentially come down to a round-robin among Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Illini.

Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois turns Memorial Stadium into the gaffe factory in 30-13 loss to No. 7 Penn State

Woe was anyone who watched the Illini shoot themselves in the foot, and then in the other foot, and then in the same two feet all over again during their Big Ten opener.

USA Today Sports Media Group

Jer’Zhan Newton and Olu Fashanu: Scouting review of the Illinois vs. Penn State standouts

Fashanu and Penn State won the scoreboard war, but Newton was the most dominant 2024 NFL draft prospect on the field

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Chicago Sun-Times

Big Game Hunting: Penn State is coming at you, Illini. Are you up to a challenge like this one?

Also: picks for Central Michigan-Notre Dame, Northwestern-Duke, Minnesota-North Carolina, Washington-Michigan State and other Week 3 games.

Chicago Sun-Times

No. 7 Penn State ready for a raucus crowd at Illinois

The Illini are coming off a disappointing loss last week at Kansas. They hope a raucous home crowd can carry them to an upset win.

Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois’ Bret Bielema talked big coming into the season. Now he’s got big work to do.

Bielema “didn’t come here to go 8-5” again, but, with the Illini off to an unimpressive 1-1 start, we have to ask: Is 8-5 even attainable?

Chicago Sun-Times

Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels headlines victory over Illinois

Jalon Daniels threw for 280 yards and two touchdowns in his season debut, Devin Neal ran for 120 yards and a score and Kansas beat Illinois 34-23 on Friday night.

Chicago Sun-Times

Caleb Griffin kicks 29-yard FG in closing seconds to lift Illinois over Toledo

Luke Altmyer threw for two touchdowns. Miles Scott returned an interception 48 yards for a score, and the Illini squeezed out the win in a back-and-forth game to start coach Bret Bielema’s third season.

Chicago Sun-Times

Polling Place: How much college football will you watch (and bet on) this season?

Also, we asked how Illinois will fare coming off an 8-5 season.

Chicago Sun-Times

Big Ten preview: Illinois can end West side story with its first trip to title game in Indy

The Illini have the roster and the momentum to swing for the fences in the lesser, and very winnable, division.

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