CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) -- It is game week for Illionois football.

The Illini enter the 2025 season at #12 their highest ranking since 2008, this week is a sortened week with kick off Friday night.

Head Coach Bret Bielema said they expect to have everyone play in their first game which includes offensive lineman JC Davis who was dealing with an injury during fall camp...

In their game against Western Illinois the Orange and Blue are 45.5 favorites but Bielema said they enter this week as if they are playing the top team in the country.

Illinois opens up their season at home Friday August 29 against Western Illinois. Kick off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Peacock.

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