PEORIA ( 25News Now ) - The Illini will kick off the 2025 football with their highest ranking since 1990 and their second highest pre-season ranking ever. The Illini are ranked 12th in the preseason coaches poll. The Illini were also ranked 12th in 1990 and 10th in 1985. Illinois Coach Bret Bielema talked to the team about the ranking before the team padded up for practice in Champaign under the lights at Memorial Stadium.

Illinois State is ranked #6 in the pre-season Stats Perform FCS Poll. Like the Illini, the Redbirds return 16 starters from a season ago.

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