Bret Bielema Douglas C. and Linda M. Mills Endowed Head Football Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Bret Bielema Douglas C. and Linda M. Mills Endowed Head Football Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
The Illinois football team will start the 2025 season ranked #12 in the US LBM Preseason Coaches Poll, according to an announcement from USA TODAY on Monday. This marks the first time since 1990 that the Fighting Illini have begun a season in the top 15 of the Coaches Poll, matching their #12 ranking from that year.
This #12 preseason ranking is tied for the second-highest in program history since the poll began in 1978. Only the 1985 team had a higher position at #10. The last time Illinois appeared in this poll was in 2008, when they were ranked #19.
Illinois brings back 16 starters from last season, which is tied for most among all teams nationally. The team also returns 18 starters from its Cheez-It Citrus Bowl squad that finished #16 in last year’s final Coaches Poll. That team matched school records with ten wins and four victories over ranked opponents. They concluded their season by defeating #14 South Carolina 21-17 in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
Quarterback Luke Altmyer and outside linebacker Gabe Jacas are among those returning for Illinois. Both players were selected by media to the Big Ten's Preseason Honors list as two of the conference’s top fifteen players. Last season, Jacas led Illinois defensively with 74 tackles, including thirteen tackles for loss and eight sacks, while Altmyer threw for over 2,700 yards and scored twenty-two touchdowns during the 2024 campaign.
Illinois opens its new football season at home against Western Illinois on Friday, August 29 at Memorial Stadium. The game will be broadcast on Peacock starting at 6:30 p.m. Central Time.
Historically, Illinois’ highest preseason rankings in this poll include: #10 (1985), #12 (2025 and 1990), #19 (2008), #21 (2000), #22 (1994), and #24 (1995).
"Illinois' #12 preseason ranking is tied for the second-highest in program history since the Preseason Coaches Poll began in 1978, behind only Illini teams in 1985 (#10) and 1990 (#12). The Fighting Illini are ranked in the Preseason Coaches Poll for the first time since 2008 (#19)."
"Among the returners are QB Luke Altmyer and OLB Gabe Jacas, who were voted by the media to the Big Ten's Preseason Honors list of the top 15 players in the conference. Jacas had 74 tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss, and 8.0 sacks last season to lead the Illinois defense, while Altmyer threw for 2,717 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2024."
"Illinois kicks off the 2025 football season at home against Western Illinois on Friday, Aug. 29, at 6:30 p.m. CT on Peacock."
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