Illinois #12 in preseason poll

Illinois football is enjoying its highest ranking in more than 30 years as the Fighting Illini are ranked #12 in the USA Today pre-season coaches poll.

Texas was in the top spot in the poll released Monday while Ohio State was second and Penn State third.

This is the first time Illinois started the season in the coaches poll top 15 since 1990. The 2025 season starts for Illinois at home against Western Illinois University Friday, Aug. 29.

Georgia and Notre dame round out the top five spots in the poll. The Big Ten has six teams in the rankings while the Big 12 has five, the SEC with nine and ACC with 3.