College coaches are talking—and they’ve got major respect for Bret Bielema’s Illini. In this episode of Locked On Illini, Sunny Verma is joined by Big Ten Huddle's JR to break down the anonymous coach quotes from Athlon Sports, including a BOLD statement: “Illinois would’ve made noise in the College Football Playoff.”
We cover: What rival coaches REALLY think about Illinois football
🧠 Why Luke Altmyer might be the most underrated QB in the Big Ten
🔥 Can Illinois elevate to the second tier of the conference? The returning talent that makes Illinois a dark horse CFP contender
🌪️ Then we shift to hoops:
🏀 Big returners for Michigan, Wisconsin, Oregon, Ohio State, and more
How these moves shift the early Big Ten basketball power rankings
📊 👥 Guest: JR from @thebigtenhuddle
👍 Don’t forget to hit LIKE & SUBSCRIBE!
🎯 Goal: 5,000 subs before kickoff vs. Western Illinois
📲 Follow Sunny on X: @talkillini
Welcome to Locked On Illini, your one-stop show for all things Illinois Fighting Illini football and basketball! Join host Sunny Verma as he brings you in-depth analysis, game previews, post-game breakdowns, and exclusive interviews with players, coaches, and insiders. Whether you're a die-hard Illini fan or just looking to stay updated on the latest in college sports, this is the podcast for you. Tune in on YouTube and your favorite audio platforms for fresh episodes and all the insights you need to stay ahead of the game. Get ready to be Locked On Illini! Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth coverage of Illini basketball and football!
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