The college football season is inching closer to fruition, and the buzz surrounding Ohio State's national championship repeat bid is only getting more heightened with games against Texas to begin the year before closing with Michigan.
But another game that could sneak up on Ohio State is an Oct. 11 showdown against Illinois in Champaign. The Fighting Illini were one of the Big Ten's biggest surprise teams, finishing 10-3 behind soon-to-be third-year starting quarterback Luke Altmyer. Altmyer is one of 16 starters from the 22 who played this past season and are staying put in Champaign. Some analysts are tabbing the Illini as a playoff contender, while others are not convinced Bret Bielema can put back-to-back winning seasons together.
One of those who sees the Illini as a sleeper team is Andy Anders of Eleven Warriors. Anders gave a thorough review of the team entering this fall.
"Illinois is my answer," Anders wrote. "There's a lot of momentum with that program right now entering year five under Bret Bielema, fresh off a 10-3 season and a memorable win in the Citrus Bowl over South Carolina. It was the Fighting Illini's first 10-win campaign in 23 years. Not only is wind in their sails, but the Illlini also return starting quarterback Luke Altmyer, their best pass rusher in Gabe Jacas and leading tackler in Matthew Bailey. And talk about one of the easiest schedules in the Big Ten, Illinois doesn't play Penn State, Oregon or Michigan in 2025. Outside of a home game with Ohio State, the Illini's toughest matchup is probably at Indiana on Sept. 20 or at Washington on Oct. 25."
The Illini haven't played Ohio State since Nov. 2017, as they seek their first win in the series since 2007 when the then-No. 1 Buckeyes fell to Juice Williams and Co. in Columbus.
Winning in Champaign, however, is a far different story. The Illini haven't done so since 1991, as they have only won eight all-time games in the series.
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It is surely Illinois' most difficult game on a schedule including seven games at Memorial Stadium. The Illini won all but one this past year, missing out on the College Football Playoff.
By August, it remains to be seen how good Illinois is and whether or not Ohio State is the juggernaut everyone assumes it could be.
For now, only time will tell.