Football
Why Illinois football is set to win big in their season opener
The Illini open as a huge favorite vs the Leathernecks.
Game week is finally here. After a long offseason building toward a 2025 season with sky-high expectations—and a roster capable of taking Illinois Football to heights the program hasn’t seen in years—the Fighting Illini are now just 3 days away from kicking off the season against in-state foe Western Illinois. Friday’s primetime matchup (8/29) offers both programs a chance to make a statement – Illinois with a chance to elevate and build on their success in 2024, and Western Illinois to continue growing momentum under a new and promising head coach.
For Illinois…
Coming off a 10-3 season capped with a Citrus Bowl victory, the Illini enter 2025 aiming to build on last year’s momentum and reach new heights under Coach Bret Bielema, in his fifth year at the helm in Champaign. Illinois Football enters ranked No. 12, with the 12-team College Football Playoffs on their mind, but, as always, their focus is one game at a time—beginning with Friday’s matchup against the Leathernecks.
For WIU…
Western Illinois enters the contest coming off a promising inaugural season as the newest member of the Ohio Valley Conference, with second-year head coach Joe Davis leading the charge. The former Eastern Illinois offensive coordinator helped snap a 27-game losing streak in 2024, finishing 4-8 and showing signs of life in a once solid FCS program. The Leathernecks will face tough challenges against the veteran FBS Illini, but Coach Davis is excited to test his squad in Champaign, just an hour north of his old stomping grounds of Charleston (IL), where he previously spent two seasons (2022–2023).
Of course, it’s Week One, so plenty of questions remain about this team and how strong they will look out of the gates. Friday’s opener against a motivated WIU squad will provide the first real test—so, that said, here are our three predictions for how the Illini will kick off 2025, vs their in-state challengers from Macomb (IL).
3 Predictions for Illinois Football vs WIU
Rushing Attack Leads the Way
If the Illini will want to keep the majority of Barry Lunney Jr’s playbook under wraps ahead of a huge Week two showdown with Duke, expect Bart Miller’s crew to hit the ground running against a Western Illinois defensive line they should dominate. The offensive line – returning all five starters form thier 2024 Citrus Bowl victory – should open up plenty of opportunities for Illinois’ experienced running backs to have big games. If so, the can take advantage of what’s essentially a lower-risk, high-reward matchup at the end of the day.
This game will be a perfect chance for the Illini’s veteran RB’s Kaden Feagin, Aidan Laughery, and sophomore Ca’Lil Valentine—to shake off the offseason rust and build some early confidence ahead of a crucial week two. Injuries have impacted this group in the past, so getting meaningful carries early is going to be key for Thad Ward’s group.
As long as the night is going to plan, expect some heavy third and fourth quarter reps for Valentine, with a dash of true freshman Cedric Wyche II, to give them reps at game speed, ensuring the young rushers are prepared if injuries arise later in the season.
Sep 28. 2024. University Park, Pennsylvania. USA. Illinois Fighting Illini. Kaden Feagin (3). Penn State Nittany Lions. Beaver Stadium. Credit: Matthew O’Haren. Imagn Images.
Trench Domination for the Illini
Illinois Football enters 2025 confident in their front five.
All five starters return from last year’s bowl-winning offensive line, giving coach Bart Miller one of the most experienced units in the Big Ten. That continuity not only provides stability in protection for Luke Altmyer, but also paves the way for what should be a versatile rushing attack in 2025. With veteran leadership from the likes of JC Davis and Melvin Priestly, and plenty of physicality on the interior, this group is capable of controlling the line of scrimmage from the opening snap on Friday night, and will most likely set the tone for the game.
As previously stated – if the Illini’s OL can dominate, they can keep larger chunks of Barry Lunney Jr’s playbook under wraps ahead of tougher tests later in September. I would assume this to be the goal, in some capacity.
On the defensive side of the ball
All-American edge rusher Gabe Jacas anchors the Fighting Illini’s front 7, whose combination of size, strength, and explosiveness makes him one of the most disruptive players in the nation. I would expect the Leathernecks tackles to have a really tough time here. Surrounding him are key offseason transfer portal additions like James Thompson Jr., Leon Lowrey Jr., Tomiwa Durojaiye, and Curt Neal, in addition the Illini’s current developmental depth like Pat Farrell, Joe Barna and others. Together, this group has the depth and versatility to rotate fresh bodies, and live in Western Illinois’ backfield. A strong pass rush and strong run-stopping presence out of the gates should allow Illinois to dictate tempo and put its offense in favorable positions all night.
In short, dominating the trenches is where Illinois can truly separate itself on Friday. If their offensive line establishes control and pace, and the defensive front delivers on high pressure, the Illini will dominate the Leathernecks.
Sep 20, 2024. Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. Illinois Fighting Illini. Memorial Stadium. Credit: Dylan Widger. Imagn Images.
Illinois Football Wins Week 1 in Blowout Fashion
While the Leathernecks have made progress under Coach Davis, Illinois’ experience, talent, and home-field edge make this a prime opportunity for the Illini to open 2025 with a blowout. This opener gives Bielema and his staff the chance to warm up before a massive road trip to Durham, NC.
If all goes as expected, Illinois Football should handle business in convincing fashion. Illini hit the over.
Prediction: Illinois 57 – Western Illinois 10
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