Is Illinois Football Playoff Bound? ESPN’s Heather Dinich weighs in

Armchair Illini Podcast #3: Anticipation surrounding Illinois Football is seemingly at an all-time high, and with just mere days now separating Bret Bielema’s Illini from kickoff of the 2025 season, the stakes for this program have rarely felt bigger in the modern era.

Of course, fans are eager to see if the Fighting Illini can sustain success and maintain momentum from a 10-3 campaign in 2024, which was capped off by a thrilling Citrus Bowl victory over South Carolina. However, with more than 76% of last year’s production returning — including QB Luke Altmyer leading the way — a staff that knows this roster inside and out, and a confident head coach entering his fifth season in Champaign, this veteran team has both its fanbase and much of the national media daring to dream even bigger.

So, is Illinois Football college football playoff-bound in 2025?

ESPN Senior Writer and National College Football analyst Heather Dinich joins host Austin Burklund on Episode No. 3 of the Armchair Illini pod to discuss the Fighting Illini’s overall outlook in 2025, their chances of making the college football playoff in 2025, in addition to several other topics surrounding the current state of college football.

WATCH: Armchair Illini Podcast  Episode #3 – Is Illinois Football a Playoff Contender? Ft. ESPN’s Heather Dinich

For more Illini coverage and conversation to get you gameday ready, host Austin Burklund has got you covered on the Armchair Illini Podcast. With exciting guests and fresh insight every week, it’s another quality podcast to add to your rotation!

Be gameday ready — SUBSCRIBE BELOW and enjoy Episode #3 of the Armchair Illini Podcast!

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