Illinois Fighting Illini: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Illinois' Brad Underwood Pinpoints the Key to Success in Big Ten Play

The Big Ten slate is not for the weak. The never-ending grind wears on even the toughest teams, stripping away much of a club’s mental and physical capacities during the months of January and February.

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Watch: Illinois vs. Penn State | HIGHLIGHTS | Big Ten Men's Basketball | 01/03/26

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 3

Where College Basketball's Top Experts Rank Illinois: Too High or Too Low?

In the thick of the holidays, AP voters didn’t cast a ballot last Monday, meaning the rankings haven’t shifted since the morning of December 22, hours before Illinois’ decimation of Missouri.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 3

Brad Underwood on the Power of Illinois Athletics' Success: 'Winning's Contagious'

Illinois basketball has compiled an early record of 10-3 and is seemingly on its way to yet another 20-win season in Champaign. If the Illini reach that mark, it would be the seventh straight season under coach Brad Underwood that the club has reached that plateau.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 3

Illinois Football Takes More Personnel Losses Through the Transfer Portal

Illinois football has officially arrived at the level of success that nobody warns you about: the roster turnover hangover. After finishing the best two-year stretch in program history, the Illini now stare into the swirling chaos of the transfer portal, where depth charts dissolve and offseason optimism is tested daily.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 2

Three More Illinois Football Players Are Set to Transfer – What It Means

Illinois' Bret Bielema became the first head coach in program history to win at least nine games in back-to-back season, and also the first Illini coach

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Swish Appeal / January 2

Maryland, LSU are no longer undefeated thanks to the clutch play of Illinois, Kentucky

The first day of 2026 gave us a pair of upsets in women’s college basketball. First, unranked Illinois beat previously undefeated No. 7 Maryland, 73-70.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / January 1

Watch: Maryland vs. Illinois | Highlights | Big Ten Women's Basketball | 01/01/26

David Olano News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 1

Illinois Kicker David Olano Enters the Transfer Portal – What It Means

After authoring one of the all-time highlights in Illinois football history just two days ago with a game-winning field goal as time expired in the Illini's

Preview: Illinois WBB vs. No. 7 Maryland

Illinois women’s basketball tips off the new year with its toughest challenge yet, hosting undefeated Maryland (14-0, 2-0 Big Ten) in a game that should be revealing.

Luke Altmyer News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / December 31

How Luke Altmyer Changed Illinois Football for the Long Haul

There was a time not long ago when Illinois football lived in a very specific Big Ten neighborhood. You know the one. The street where bowl eligibility was considered a luxury item, eight wins required divine intervention and optimism was mostly reserved for basketball season.

Luke Altmyer News / Larry Brown Sports / December 31

Illinois QB Luke Altmyer runs over a referee during Music City Bowl

Luke Altmyer left a referee with tire marks all over his face during Tuesday’s bowl game. The senior quarterback Altmyer and Illinois squared off against Tennessee in the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / College Football Talk / December 30

Illinois beats Tennessee in the Music City Bowl to keep Big Ten undefeated this bowl season

The Fighting Illini helped the Big Ten stay undefeated this bowl season, improving to 6-0. The Southeastern Conference dropped to 2-5 with this loss.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / December 30

Watch: Tennessee vs. Illinois | MUSIC CITY BOWL HIGHLIGHTS | 12/30/25

College Football News / Yardbarker / December 30

Illinois staves off Tennessee on walk-off field goal to win Music City Bowl

The win is the second straight bowl win for Bret Bielema and Illinois.

The 25 greatest players in SEC football history

The 'College nicknames that don't end in s' quiz

College Football News / Athlon Sports / December 30

Tennessee vs. Illinois Prediction: Music City Bowl Preview

College football’s postseason continues on Tuesday evening with a Big Ten-SEC clash in Nashville, as Tennessee and Illinois meet in the Music City Bowl.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / CFB-HQ on SI / December 29

Tennessee vs. Illinois prediction: Who wins the Music City Bowl, and why?

The latest offering from college football bowl season brings us a notable SEC vs. Big Ten clash from Nashville as Tennessee and Illinois face off in the 2025 Music City Bowl game.

Bret Bielema News / A to Z Sports / December 29

Illinois HC Bret Bielema accidentally told a lie about Tennessee ahead of matchup against the Vols in the Music City Bowl

The Tennessee Vols and the Illinois Fighting Illini will face off on Tuesday in Nashville in the Music City Bowl. Coaches from both programs met with the media on Monday to preview the game.

Bret Bielema News / A to Z Sports / December 28

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema explains why Tennessee didn't want to practice at Vanderbilt ahead of the Music City Bowl

The Tennessee Vols arrived in Nashville shortly after Christmas to continue preparations for their upcoming matchup against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Music City Bowl.