No. 21 Illinois (9-3) had an electric win against Northwestern (4-8) this past weekend at Wrigley Field.
“I don’t know what the future holds; I just know that I’m excited about this football team,” said head coach Bret Bielema. “I think we’re a team that can play with anyone in the country … I think we’re easily in the top 15, maybe in the top 10, so I’m excited to see exactly where we can go and what we can do.”
The Illini’s regular season is over, but battles remain to be fought. Given their nine-win season, the Illini will head into a bowl game with more determination than ever.
While not set in stone just yet, Illinois is predicted to make the trip to Orlando, Florida, to compete in the Citrus Bowl against South Carolina. Not only that, but the Illini landed No. 21 in the College Football Playoff rankings to close out the year, which is a huge accomplishment in itself. They know they can win, and others recognize it, too.
Illinois’ 2023 football campaign left many questioning the team’s success for its 2024 season. The Illini’s talent, resilience and team chemistry this season swiftly put any doubts to rest. From the coaching staff to the brotherhood among the athletes, Illinois has built this program into something special.
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Harmony on offense
When junior quarterback Luke Altmyer found his footing and played confidently, he had the most success. Altmyer struggled with ball security and lacked awareness of his surroundings throughout the season. But, most promisingly, he seemed to learn from these mistakes. After overcoming some mental hurdles, he connected well with his receivers to change the outcome of games.
Senior wide receiver Pat Bryant made history with the Illini this season and became a fan-favorite with his elite athleticism and playmaking skills. Whether it was a simple screen pass or a long bomb 40 yards down the field, Bryant was there. He tied the single-season receiving touchdown record with 10 on the year, rising to every occasion.
Bryant is just one example of the many players that established Illinois’ victorious offense. Senior wide receiver Zakhari Franklin was another reliable asset on the field, who made ridiculous catches to get the team in scoring position.
The running back unit also left a lasting impact this season. Junior Josh McCray, sophomore Aidan Laughery and freshman Ca’Lil Valentine showed Illini fans how quick they can be on the ground and how strong they are after contact. When their offense line blocks with force and gives them room to run, they run long and fast. Having this talent to work in sync with the rest of the offense is a refreshing sight, especially knowing they still have years left with the Illini.
Dedication on defense
Illinois’ defense went through plenty of trials and tribulations this season, but for the most part, the guys fought back. Takeaways were prevalent in the first four games but dipped around the halfway point of the season. Junior defensive back Xavier Scott picked up four interceptions alone, which earned him All-Big Ten First Team as selected by conference media.
The Illini’s secondary, although they allowed many receptions on target, still played with speed and passion. Defensive backs like sophomore Matthew Bailey and juniors Miles Scott and Torrie Cox Jr. followed their targets side-by-side and made strong tackles to minimize the yards after catch. They took advantage of opportunities that came their way, which led to scores on Illinois’ side. Complementary football was always the goal, and they achieved that.
It wouldn’t be fair to talk about Illinois’ defense without mentioning some linemen and linebackers. Outside linebackers junior Gabe Jacas and senior Seth Coleman put up 11 sacks on the season, pressuring the opponent’s offense at the right times, especially in the red zone. Additionally, senior defensive lineman TeRah Edwards notably forced 2.5 sacks and five tackles-for-loss on the year. Illinois’ defense isn’t the biggest or fastest, but they play with the most dedication. Fortunately, this dedication and energy were enough to get nine wins and mentions in the CFP.
What remains: College Football Playoffs
This is the time of year when the “what ifs?” come into play. Things would look different for Illinois’ CFP chances had it not lost to Minnesota, but the team can’t turn back time. The team’s other two losses will compete in the Big Ten Championship game (No. 1 Oregon and No. 3 Penn State).
UNLV takes on Boise State for the Mountain West Championship, and Iowa State takes on Arizona State for the Big 12 Championship. Then, Clemson competes against SMU for the ACC Championship. Losses from any of these teams could give Illinois a chance to rise in the rankings.
Again, Illinois would likely be in more CFP conversations had it not suffered its final defeat against Minnesota. But they cannot dwell on that now. The team cannot control the rankings, but they can control how well they play in their bowl game.
All that’s left for Illinois’ football is for the team to stay focused and continue to play tough, smart and dependable football.
@tess_eken
