How Illinois Football Delivers ‘First-Class’ Treatment to it’s Linemen

Illinois Football head coach Bret Bielema and starting quarterback Luke Altmyer joined Kayce Smith and Brandon Walker on Barstool Sports’ popular college football podcast, Unnecessary Roughness, ahead of leading the Wrigley Field crowd in a rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” later that evening.

You know, just another typical day in the Windy City…

Though teased earlier in the week, the full episode dropped Thursday (7/17), and the duo gave fans an unfiltered look inside the minds of Illinois’ starting QB and head coach. Over the course of the conversation, Bielema and Altmyer hit on a wide range of topics, including the ever-evolving College Football Playoff, Illinois Football’s steady climb under Bielema’s leadership, and the outlook for a 2025-26 roster that’s loaded with potential, especially with a 12-team playoff format now in place.

The group additionally covered an array of fun “behind-the-scenes topics,” including diving into how Illinois Football rolls out “First-Class” treatment for the big men up front.

Offensive and defensive linemen have always been the backbone of Big Ten football — the position group that often makes or breaks a team’s season. Keeping those units healthy, focused, and, of course, happy is essential to sustaining success week after week.

However, Altmyer and the Illinois Football program are taking that commitment to a whole new level.

New episode is live ft. @IlliniFootball’s @BretBielema & @lukealtmyer9

Watch Now: https://t.co/hRdfCMasnd pic.twitter.com/Xd4iyhrljn

— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) July 17, 2025

How Illinois Football Delivers “First Class” Treatment to Their Big Men Up Front

When co-host T-Bob asked if Altmyer takes care of the offensive linemen who protect him week to week, the Illini duo offered an even deeper look into how the Illinois Football program shows its appreciation for the big men in the trenches.

“Oh yeah — every week, not just the starting five, but the whole travel squad, like 12 or 13 guys. Thursday nights, we go tear it up on Hibachi,” Altmyer said.

Coach Bielema then added, “Yeah, he does. He’ll be the first one to tell you — when we fly, like this year, our longest trip is to Washington — our linemen fly first class. Everybody else is in the back, but the O-line and D-line sit up front.” Bielema finished, “As a fellow big man, I know how big those first-class seats are.”

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