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RJ Young
FOX Sports National College Football Analyst
This isn’t your average college football ranking.
My Ultimate 136 is a set of rankings that is fluid, but it’s my job to look ahead and make a claim for all FBS teams based on what I know and why I know it. Here are the three pressing questions I started by asking when putting together this list:
- Who do I think is good?
- Why do I think they’re good?
- What are the chances they will finish above or below my expectations?
Here’s a have a look at the place Illinois lands in my Final 136
Illinois rating: 16
Final yr’s rating: 87
High participant: LB Gabe Jacas: Named to each the Lott Affect Trophy and Bronco Nagurski Trophy preseason watch checklist; was one in all 9 Energy 4 gamers to report 8+ sacks and three+ compelled fumbles final season.
[Illinois’ 2025 schedule]
RJ’s take: Bret Bielema coached the Illini to their first 10-win season since 2001 final yr and should be counted as a program able to contending for the Massive Ten title in 2025, particularly with the unprecedented Yr 1 success of Indiana — for which all turnarounds will likely be measured.
Bielema avoids Michigan, Penn State and Oregon on the schedule, and that is not nothing given the bevy of expertise returning to play for him — 19 starters are again in Champaign. For those who did not know that, I’m wondering if he merely hasn’t tweeted about it but?
Illinois Win Whole Odds: Over 8.5 (+144) Below 8.5 (-178)
Have a problem with my rankings? Assume your alma mater is just too low, or your faculty’s rival is just too excessive? Get at me on X, @RJ_Young, and I will choose my favourite tweets and reply to them in a future article.
RJ Younger is a nationwide faculty soccer author and analyst for FOX Sports activities. Comply with him at @RJ_Young.
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