CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illinois football team will begin the 2025 season ranked #12 in the AP Preseason Poll, the Associated Press announced Monday. The Fighting Illini begin the season in the AP Poll top 15 for the first time since 1990, when Illinois checked in at #11 in the AP Preseason Poll.
The Fighting Illini are ranked in the AP Preseason Poll for the first time since 2008 (#20). Illinois' #12 preseason ranking is the ninth-highest in program history since the AP Preseason Poll began in 1950.
Illinois returns 16 starters from last season — tied for the most in the nation — and 18 starters from last year's Cheez-It Citrus Bowl team that finished #16 in the final AP Poll. Last year's team tied the program record for wins with 10 and tied the program record for ranked wins with four. The Fighting Illini capped one of the best seasons in program history by beating #14 South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, 21-17, in one of the top bowl game victories in Illinois history.
Among the returners are QB Luke Altmyer and OLB Gabe Jacas, who were voted by the media to the Big Ten's Preseason Honors list of the top 15 players in the conference. Jacas had 74 tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss, and 8.0 sacks last season to lead the Illinois defense, while Altmyer threw for 2,717 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2024.
Illinois kicks off the 2025 football season at home against Western Illinois on Friday, Aug. 29, at 6:30 p.m. CT on Peacock.
Illinois All-Time in the AP Preseason PollÂ
#3 — 1964
#5 — 1960
#5 — 1954
#5 — 1952
#8 — 1950
#10 — 1951
#11 — 1990
#11 — 1985
#12 — 2025
#20 — 2008
#20 — 1956
#21 — 2000
#21 — 1994
#22 — 1989
