The IMPOSSIBLE RISE & REBUILD of Illinois Football (They Were Once A Dead Program)

[@ScottFisherCFB]

I really enjoyed putting a lot of time into this one! Hope you enjoyed the video Illini fans and enjoy the success :) If you want a more in depth video, check out my other Illinois videos John Paddocks crazy 2023 season: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5zUeJynjJKKkJo Rise of Tip Reiman: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJive4Wsbc6VatE

[@BHV0810]

I am currently a student at Illinois. I love seeing our football program succeed.

[@iamza.]

I went to Penn State but live in Champaign

[@BHV0810]

@@iamza. So, who do you root for this weekend?

[@iamza.]

@@BHV0810 WE. ARE. But I do want to see Illinois do well this year. They have a favorable schedule and could end up with 2 or 3 losses. I agree with that. Hopefully they bounce Michigan. Don't think they'll get past Oregon and Penn State

[@BHV0810]

@@iamza. We could theoretically keep it close against PSU and Oregon, but I don't know if we can win either of those. Michigan will be tough, but at home, I like our chances. The rest of the schedule is favorable. We could finish 9-3 or 10-2.

[@iamza.]

@@BHV0810 I want the Penn State game to at least be close. But not too close😂 I don't want to see them drop out of the rankings.

[@LymetimeProductions]

I have been a lifelong Illini fan since I was born. I was 9 when we fired Zook and was confused as to why... then the years I remember the most growing up (besides '07) was 2012-14 with Beckman because of how bad we were. Cubit should have been the hire in '16 instead of Lovie in my opinion. I was at the Nebraska game in 17, Iowa in 18, and Northwestern in 19 and all 3 games left me wondering what the heck Illinois was thinking, especially 63-0 to Iowa. Bielema was absolutely the right move even if I was skeptical at the time of the hire but he was absolutely the right move. Funny little tangent, Illinois basketball having a similar path is even funnier since we fired Bruce Weber and hired John Groce (also from a good MAC school) then were mediocre, fired him and hired Brad Underwood and after a few decent rebuilding years, we won the Big Ten in 2022 and went to the Elite Eight this past season. IT IS SO GREAT TO BE AN ILLINI FAN RIGHT NOW!!

[@ericdailey8587]

I agree with you about Cubit. Given the circumstances, he didn't do bad finishing at 5-7, considering they had been 6-6 in the regular season the year before.

[@mattkayl1396]

Nebraska student and die-hard fan, Illinois is an excellent team with Beilema as the program builder. We are in our own rebuild and it is a good test to play against the Illini. Even though we lost it was a good measuring stick playing against a rebuilt program as well.

[@n1ckinch1]

i’m an illinois student, your huskers offense was tough to defend all night and your QB is a phenomenal talent that I look forward to seeing develop. I think once he gets a season under his belt you guys will be in the midst for a big 10 championship next year. best of luck for the rest of the season!!

[@therealHN1]

@@n1ckinch1Bret is a dang good coach. Illinois will be a tough out for any team this week. Yeah as a Husker fan the loss hurt but we’ll recover. I’ll be rooting for the Illini the rest of the way!

[@ragnarlothbrook7958]

Penn state took them behind the wood shed. Nobody fell for the 300 pound TE . Film

[@irkh875]

Good summary and analysis of Illinois football for the last couple of decades. It's nice to watch a well researched video.

[@Ohio98]

Exciting narration & summary of the last decade of illini's high highs & low lows. Sooo happy to be competitive again!

[@n1ckinch1]

everyone in my extended family has attended UIUC at some point, I myself am a senior at UIUC right now. so as a born and bred illinois fan I am so excited for this season, I got my hopes up in 2022 but we saw how that went so i’m remaining cautiously optimistic. I agree that our ceiling is 10-2, I think either penn st in state college or michigan at home are winnable but oregon looks tough. Illinois football is back!! I-L-L🔶🔷

[@caseysilkwood47]

I'm from Southern Illinois, and both of my favorite cousins attended U of I in the 90s. I'm a Hokie and Green Wave fan first and foremost, but I always enjoy seeing the Illini succeed. Since they hardly ever play Tulane or Virginia Tech, I'm pulling for them to win most weeks. It's awesome seeing them play so well this year.

[@nopenoneforme]

Those 1924 throwback Red Grange uniforms were awesome against Michigan.

[@chiefgangmusic]

I can not believe that you just made me gain respect for Mizzou. That’s something that I thought was completely impossible. But two rights do make a right so blessings to you and I hope that you continue doing great things.

[@michaelbyrne8860]

Finally the Fighting Illini isn't the doormat of the BIG 10! And the Coach! That was a Great Game against the Huskers! The Defense shut it down in the 4th quarter!

[@timcordier9748]

Well honestly the basketball program was headed downhill for about 10 years also. Brad Underwood now has us in the top 25 every season and getting 5 star recruits. This university has NIL money falling out of their butts

[@Jpriv32975]

Great video on U of I! But Tommy devito didn’t play in 2023. You probably meant Altmeyer got hurt

[@LootsMcGoots]

Came here to say this. Devito was busy being a sensation for the New York Giants!

[@warchantillini]

​​​​@@LootsMcGoots🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻 Tommy Touchdowns

[@patrickcatezone1856]

2022 first game was IU. When telling this story important to emphasize Josh Whitman. His leadership brought both football and Basketball teams out of the gutter.

[@bgilliland11]

Bielema also built the most complete and comprehensive program to recruit the entire state of Illinois. They now have the most effective in-state recruiting in the history of the program.

[@marcobarcenas9287]

Bingo

[@ZeusAmun-pt9dc]

I think that the cool underlined helmet is good luck

[@RayC-ns6uc]

I’m a Champaign native… you earned my subscription in the first 2 minutes of the video sir

[@nehemyahyisrael7170]

Born and raised in Champaign Illinois, now in Texas but I still bleed orange and blue!!

[@bebes1961]

I was born and raised in Champaign too. Live in Austin now.

[@RayC-ns6uc]

⁠@@bebes1961born and raised in Champaign as well. Dallas resident now

[@georgesealy4706]

The B1G has been jolted with the 4 new West Coast teams and serious new cash flowing in from the media contracts. It's the place to be in college football. We can expect all of the teams to field competitive teams. The coaches are smart. The schools are adding to their facilities. No longer is there the big 2 and everybody else. There are no automatic Ws. It's great.

[@Gorion-ch9xo]

The Big10 is still a garbage conference overrated asf

[@georgesealy4706]

@@Gorion-ch9xo Huh? They have the best and biggest media contracts. The schools are in the largest metro areas in the US coast to coast. The schools have high academic and research standards. What the heck are you talking about? There isn't even a second place.

[@georgelucas2571]

@@georgesealy4706Nebraska and Oregon do not have “high academic standards”.

[@georgehenan853]

@@georgelucas2571they are still better than the sec

[@supremetaco5]

@@georgelucas2571northwestern, Michigan, UCLA,USC,UW and Maryland Are serious

[@50PullUps]

Who else went to Illinois!

[@tyroilsmoochie-wallace]

I heard Deaz went there

[@BHV0810]

I currently go there!

[@n1ckinch1]

current senior at illinois here!

[@joeedge576]

Who else went to Illinois ? ? ? Well... close to 700,000 + nationally and internationally... that's who...

[@penguinbrony2415]

I'm a lifetime fan of the University of Illinois football team, and let me tell you... i've never been as excited to be a fan than I am now. This is perhaps the best team that the U of I has had since 2001.

[@donaldtaeger918]

I have been an Illini fan since Bob Blackman was the head coach. I’ve seen a lot of ups and downs. If you feel good about Illini football now, it’s too bad you didn’t live through the “80’s”. The slogan at the time was “the 80’s belong to the Illini”. If you get a chance search for videos from that era. You will definitely enjoy many stars on both sides of the ball. Oskee Wow Wow!!!

[@charlesandrews2360]

Hard to believe that anyone would think hiring a former Big Ten coach of the year was a bad idea

[@ericdailey8587]

This has not been impossible. The cupboard was not empty when Bielema took over and he is a good head coach. This wasn't Northwestern after its 34 game losing streak. Illinois is a program that has been up and down (many down years since the Mackovic years). Mike White turned the program around in the 80s and then when things stalled, Mackovic came in and got it going again. It fell off under Tupper, but Turner turned it around and won the Big Ten. But, he could not keep it going. Zook turned it around, but couldn't keep the momentum up and the team became just average. Beckman and Smith could never rise above mediocrity. Bielema has turned things around and we have not had this level of consistency since the Mackovic years, but he did not inherit an impossible task.

[@andreinybakken9252]

Impressive, go Fightin' Illini! Now we need to rebuild the Fightin' Sioux as well, go UND!

[@AceMann-r1y]

Interesting video. But remember ALL of the early good players post Lovie Smith should be credited to Coach Smith. - Chase and Sydney Brown - Devon Witherspoon - Johnny Newton - Isaiah Williams - Casey Washington - Kerby Joseph - Tip Reiman - Doug Kramer - Vederian Lowe - Jartavius “Quan” Martin - Isaac Darkangelo (UDFA) While Coach Bielema has done a good job… RECRUITING and talent wasn’t the issue under his tenure.

[@evanjehle539]

Lovie and his staff could sure scout talent but lovie didn't get enough big recruiting wins in state or otherwise all due to his effort mainly. He didn't put enough of his own energy into the top guys as other B1G and FBS coaches. His defensive scheme was trash until he had enough athletes to play it decently ('19) but he refused to change anything to help the players he had succeed before that. He didn't quite ever get a great hire in at OC either and left the OL in shambles really after his very first recruiting class. So happy with the way Bielema has turned the program around since.

[@ericdailey8587]

You are correct, but I wonder if all of them would have had the same success if not for the coaching change. Yes, they had some experience under their belt when Bielema took over, but I think Bielema and his staffed coached up those players better than Smith and his staff would have done.

[@holyhandgrenadeofantioch2019]

Bielema never should have left Wisconsin. One can only imagine where the Badgers would be….

[@TCRBrad]

I see you updated your "Rise of Illinois" video from last year ;)

[@MrPMOT]

Jumping a little early. Let’s see what they do against their Big10 brethren and going out to Oregon.

[@RayC-ns6uc]

Great video!!!!!

[@jimday3112]

I think people need to wait until the end of the season to see where the Illini stand. Let’s see how Kansa and Nebraska finish their seasons before going crazy over those wins.

[@georgehenan853]

Nebraska will finish good

[@iamza.]

Lovie Smith is the definition of failing upward. I ran into him at dick's in Champaign buying a big ass pallet of powdered blue Gatorade

[@Cooljohn760]

😂😂He still respected in Chicago, Illinois.

[@shawnbirt4161]

​@Cooljohn760 don't know why... got beat in the superbowl and the only reason he was good was because that defensive side had several future HOF ers playing. May be a decent person but failed in Chicago and was a absolute failure in champaign.

[@the1magageneral323]

The Illini defense needs to show that they can sack the QB. They have INTs.

[@anthonycrawley]

They got 5 sacks against Nebraska (3in the last OT drive I think), but once they actually bring pressure it seems like they can.

[@the1magageneral323]

@@anthonycrawley True, I've seen the QB pressure on during games. Who is their sack leader so far?

[@troyhamilton8980]

The defense is capable of playing against any team in college football.

[@antonio_levine]

12:54 *Luke Altmeyer got hurt Devito was alr on the giants

[@ThomasGroves-ll1mw]

Can you make a video on Indiana since they are 4-0

[@ScottFisherCFB]

If they win one more week they are getting one for sure, if not at end of the year

[@the1magageneral323]

Jason Ford was the RB for the Illini in 2011

[@brettk9316]

Like how this made before the penn st beat down 🤣

[@bebes1961]

It will take a perfect game for us to keep this one close.

[@jimdecker4760]

Ceiling will get higher as they keep winning and get better recruits

[@maureencora1]

Illinois (the Immortals) Illini. I Wish Illinois vs Northwestern Play It's Games at Soldiers Field.

[@Metaintelligencia]

The fighting IIIIIIIIIII

[@artdrtr2]

UPDATE: Illinois is 8-3 after a thriller at Rutgers! 9-3 if they beat NW and 10-3 if they win their Bowl game #ILL

[@chrisboots5768]

Best the team has looked since juice Williams in 2007

[@brettk9316]

I'd hold that thought until Sunday ends.

[@brettk9316]

*Saturday*

[@joeedge576]

Best the program has looked since White and Mackovic... In the 80's and early 90's...

[@the1magageneral323]

Who is a huge draft pick on the Illini team? I want to see someone in the LINEBACKER Core win the Butkus award.

[@joeedge576]

Tommy DeVito didn't get hurt in the Minnesota game.... That was Luke Altmyer...

[@heinkampf1447]

R.I.P. Dana Dimel

[@lowers1987]

Indiana is pretty close to having one of these done.

[@billliang6140]

flying to Penn state for the game

[@pdxtim97209]

I'm sorry...how good can they be if they are 18 point underdogs on Saturday???

[@JCOolx]

5 point underdogs and 8 points underdogs against kansas and nebraska, won by 6 and 7 points. u can’t base everything off spreads

[@vadamane]

Let’s go bruh

[@logan42399]

Scheelhause was goated

[@wrjeffers10]

Luke Altmyer was QB in 2023, not DeVito

[@nathankalonji1898]

Xavier Scott also reason we won half of those games 😂

[@BGPLANZ93]

Dont forget the neighbors

[@thlg2jr]

❤

[@MarkCzmic420]

🥂 👍 👍

[@evanbuch]

10-2 Finish with a L @ Oregon and L Vs Michigan or MSU

[@atrainnavy]

Second here

[@matthewhuszarik4173]

Illinois hasn’t done anything yet. They need to beat the top dogs in the Big 10. Ohio St., Oregon, Penn. St., Michigan, USC. After next week if they beat Penn. St. then start talking.

[@georgehenan853]

They just beat Nebraska

[@matthewhuszarik4173]

@@georgehenan853 Who is Nebraska? Give me a break.

[@georgehenan853]

@@matthewhuszarik4173 a top 25 team at the end of the year Likely.

[@matthewhuszarik4173]

@@georgehenan853 More than likely not either one of them. Every year a couple of the normal also ran teams in the Big 10 in combination with a weak schedule run off a string of wins and then there is an expectation they will be competitive with the upper echelons of the conference. More often than not they disappoint in the end. We don’t know if Illinois or Nebraska is any good because neither have beaten anyone good. The odds are neither has a prayer of making the Big 10 Championship game or the college playoffs, but we will see when Illinois plays Penn. St. and Nebraska plays Ohio St.

[@phatgeezer1955]

Calling Michigan and USC "top dogs" is based completely on tradition. Neither of those teams are playing top tier football at all this year. Michigan especially is a program on disarray right now. Only returned 35% of their starters (lowestin the Big Ten), new head coach, 2 NCAA investigations. Played two cupcake games, lgot clobbered by one ranked team only beat the other by three points, a team that itself this year is a shadow of it's former self. Barely slid by an unranked team today by 3 points. Michigan is getting ranking votes this year based solely based on years past...they have not yet this year shown themselves worthy of any ranking, much less the ranking they have.

[@jaredduane1]

Uhh. They lost

[@robertwestling2467]

They have beaten four really bad teams

[@dnmoscato92]

Damn you Illinois. Beating my huskers. We kind of beat ourselves in that overtime

[@ragnarlothbrook7958]

Nah, they did everything they could to beat Nebraska. They will loose at Penn State. And keep losing.

[@RiVer-Parish]

Tennessee would decimate Illinois Geaux Vols!!!

[@Growinggolfing]

Well, no shit.

[@BenSmet-y5d]

very random but okay

[@JeffBird86]

Ya don’t say

[@brettk9316]

So will penn st on Saturday.

[@Growinggolfing]

@@brettk9316 I think Penn State will lose the two they always lose. (OSU AND MU). I also think the Illini are gonna come to Happy Valley and roll the pedo’s. How you people still have a team is just disgusting. You’re just as bad for rooting for them. Pedo’s, all of you.