Illinois Football ranks 12th in USA Today Coaches Poll

Illinois football has not been ranked in a preseason poll since the year 2008. However, after a 10-win season and a Citrus Bowl victory in 2024, expectations for the Illini are at an all-time high. Given that they return their starting Quarterback and several players who would have been NFL prospects, many expect the Illini to repeat their successes. In a recent USA Today Coaches Poll, Illinois Football was ranked 12th overall. The only other Big Ten programs ranked ahead of the Illini were Ohio State at #2 and Penn State at #3.

That is lofty expectations for a team like Illinois. However, they will certainly be ready to work their way to exceed those expectations.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Armchair Illinois (@armchairillini)

Why so high on the Illini?

The main reason that Illinois football is such a hot pick in preseason polls is because of its favorable schedule. Based on the Coaches Poll, the Illini will only have one game against a team that is ranked higher than them  (Ohio State). Outside of that, their other “ranked” opponents will be the Indiana Hoosiers. Two of their opponents (Duke and Washington) were teams that received votes but did not make the Top 25. On top of the favorable schedule, the Illini return some major contributors on both sides of the ball. Bret Bielema and his staff also did a great job at plugging in holes at positions that they needed to bulk back up on, such as Wide receiver and Offensive line.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for reading Armchair Illini! The Armchair team proudly announces that Feedspot has named us a top-10 Illinois news source! Please continue to support us by checking out our original apparel here. 

Above all, for feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher at alexkyi13@gmail.com. Additionally, please use our Seatgeek code for $20 off your purchase on Seatgeek.com: ARMCHAIRILLINOIS. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing Illinois media outlets around.

Finally, subscribe to our newsletter here! Go Illini