CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — For the first time in over three decades, Illinois football will begin the season as a top-15 team. The Associated Press released its 2025 Preseason Poll on Monday, placing the Fighting Illini at #12 — their highest preseason ranking since 1990, when they entered the year ranked #11.
It’s also the program’s first appearance in the AP Preseason Poll since 2008 (#20) and marks the ninth-highest preseason ranking in school history since the poll began in 1950.
The hype is fueled by the return of 16 starters — tied for the most in the nation — including quarterback Luke Altmyer and linebacker Gabe Jacas, both named to the Big Ten Preseason Honors list.
Jacas led the defense last year with 74 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 8 sacks. Altmyer threw for 2,717 yards and 22 touchdowns in a breakout season that helped Illinois finish #16 in the final AP Poll after a 10-3 campaign, capped by a 21-17 win over #14 South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
The Illini open the 2025 season on Friday, Aug. 29 at home against Western Illinois, with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m.
