The University of Illinois football team will begin the 2025 season in a position the program has not been in for 35 years.

Illinois was ranked No. 12 in the USA Today Preseason Coaches Poll, released Monday. It's the first time the Illini have been ranked in the top 15 of the preseason coaches poll since 1990, when they opened the season at No. 12.

It's also the first time Illinois has been ranked at all in the preseason coaches poll since checking in at No. 19 in 2008, and only the 1985 team (No. 10) received a higher ranking in the preseason coaches poll, which began in 1978.

The Associated Press Preseason Top 25 Poll will be released Monday, Aug. 11.

Led by senior quarterback Luke Altmyer, the Illini return 16 starters from last season, tied for most in the nation according to the

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