Buckle up, football fans – the University of Illinois is gearing up for what might just be the most electrifying home game in over a century, pitting the 17th-ranked Illini against the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. But here's where it gets controversial: even after a jaw-dropping 53-point thrashing by Indiana, the Illini are still dreaming big about College Football Playoff glory. And this is the part most people miss – the excitement in Champaign is palpable, with fans and experts alike buzzing about the stakes. Let's dive into the insights from seasoned Illinois beat writer Bob Asmussen, who has been chronicling the Illini for The News-Gazette for 37 years, as he breaks down the recent loss, playoff prospects, and what Saturday's showdown could look like.
In this edition of Across The Field, our Q&A series where we chat with media pros covering the opposing team before each matchup, Asmussen opens up about the Hoosiers' demolition of Illinois in Week 4, the must-improve areas for facing Ohio State, the Illini's chances at a CFP spot, the electric atmosphere in Champaign, standout players who might trouble the Buckeyes, and his forecast for the game. For those new to college football, the College Football Playoff (CFP) is like the NCAA's version of the NFL playoffs – a select group of teams compete for the national championship, and making it requires a stellar record and often some luck with how other teams perform.
Illinois endured a brutal 63-10 defeat at the hands of Indiana in Week 4, but they've otherwise dominated their other contests this season. How do you evaluate the team's performance in the first half of the year overall?
Asmussen: Heading into the season, I anticipated Illinois would head into the Ohio State clash with a 5-1 record. My miscalculation was pinpointing the wrong setback – I thought the road game against Duke, led by their skilled transfer quarterback, would be the hiccup. Instead, the Illini rallied strongly in the second half against the Blue Devils and secured a convincing victory.
I've seldom been as shocked by an Illinois outing as I was during that Indiana trip, where they were utterly overwhelmed. It caught me off guard completely, and from what I gathered, the players and coaches were equally devastated. An early blocked punt that resulted in a touchdown set a disastrous tone for the Hoosiers, who then built an unstoppable momentum. As a fun fact for beginners, blocking a punt for a score is a rare and often game-changing event – historically, teams that pull this off win about 95% of the time in college football. Indiana kept piling on, and Illinois simply couldn't counter. They probably should have called it quits at halftime to regroup.
What are the primary improvements Illinois needs to make compared to their Indiana performance to stand a better chance against Ohio State?
Asmussen: Primarily, they must prevent explosive plays on defense and enhance their blocking on offense. These were the critical factors that allowed Indiana to dominate, peppering the Illinois defense with repeated big gains. Meanwhile, the offensive line struggled to shield quarterback Luke Altmyer or open up lanes for the running game. If Illinois had turned the ball over even once or twice – they had zero – Indiana might have racked up 80 points. That said, you have to hand it to Indiana's coach Curt Cignetti for having his squad primed and ready.
Before the Indiana debacle, Illinois was seen as a serious candidate for the College Football Playoff. Is a CFP appearance still within reach?
Asmussen: Absolutely, but it'll demand a tight contest on Saturday – ideally keeping the margin under 20 points – plus some favorable outcomes elsewhere in the league. I foresee the Big Ten earning four CFP invitations. Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana are currently in prime position. For that fourth spot, could it be Illinois, Michigan, or Penn State? When Penn State stumbled against UCLA, it arguably boosted Illinois' playoff stock, even if they drop this one to Ohio State. They'll need to sweep their remaining games for a 10-2 finish and hope Duke, Southern Cal, Indiana, and Ohio State keep rolling. If Duke and Southern Cal hit eight or nine wins, it would elevate Illinois' victory over them even further.
What's the vibe in Champaign as this game approaches? It feels like this could be the most significant home event for Illinois in quite a while.
Asmussen: This might rival the excitement of when Michigan visited in 1924, a game where Red Grange sealed a 39-14 win for the Wolverines. Football has really captured the hearts of Illinois fans lately. We've had three straight sellouts, and the whole town is abuzz. I reside about a mile from the stadium and usually arrive around two hours early, but for Saturday, I'm planning to head out four hours in advance. The crowd will be roaring as long as Illinois stays competitive. Supporters are pumped and optimistic, yet they're realistic about Ohio State's superior talent level.
Which Illinois players stand out as potential threats to Ohio State?
Asmussen: A great starting point is wide receiver Hank Beatty, who's a jack-of-all-trades. He's among the nation's elite receivers, but he's also scored on the ground, via punt return, and even through the air. The coaching staff even joked about trying him at defensive back to snag an interception. His smaller stature actually works in his favor, allowing him to maneuver nimbly.
Linebacker Gabe Jacas has climbed the Illinois all-time sacks leaderboard quickly. He brings to mind the legendary Simeon Rice. And quarterback Luke Altmyer is enjoying one of the finest seasons by an Illini signal-caller in over two decades – think back to Kurt Kittner's standout 2001 campaign.
(Note: Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas has amassed 20 career sacks, with four this year alone. Photo: Zachary Taft – Imagn Images)
What's your outlook on how Saturday's game might unfold?
Asmussen: I've kept Ohio State at No. 1 on my Associated Press poll all year. I'm amazed at their dominance despite losing numerous stars to the NFL, which speaks volumes about coach Ryan Day and the resources in Columbus. Illinois would need a near-perfect performance to keep things close. Their defense is dealing with a major blow, as top player Xavier Scott is sidelined for the season with a leg injury. I predict standout efforts from Ohio State's Julian Sayin, Jeremiah Smith, and Carnell Tate in a 35-21 Buckeye triumph.
There you have it – a deep dive into the Illini's world from Bob Asmussen. But here's the controversial twist: some might argue that Illinois' playoff dreams are overly optimistic after such a lopsided loss, while others see it as a rallying cry. What do you think – can the Illini defy the odds and make the CFP, or is Ohio State simply too powerful? Do you agree with Asmussen's picks for game-changers? Share your opinions in the comments below – let's debate!
