Record Predictions for Illinois football 2025 season

Armchair Illini Podcast No. 5: After months of offseason anticipation, the 2025 season is finally here, and Illinois Football is set to take the next step toward long-term sustainability under head coach Bret Bielema. Entering his 5th year leading the charge in Champaign, Bielema has clearly turned this Illinois Football program around and has it pointed firmly in the right direction.

The question now becomes: what does taking that next step forward actually look like for this program?

On Episode No. 5 of the Armchair Illini Podcast, I sat down with host Austin Burkland for a full game-by-game breakdown of the Illini’s 2025 schedule—looking at the matchups that feel like wins on paper, the potential losses, the true x-factor games, and ultimately where Illinois may finish when all is said and done this fall.

Can the Illini take that next step forward? Could they emerge as this year’s dark-horse Cinderella in the 2025 College Football Playoff conversation? We break it all down—and more—on Episode No. 5 of the Armchair Illini Podcast.

Nov 16, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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 #5 of the Armchair Illini Podcast!

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