ESPN Analyst Names Unexpected Team Poised to Become the ‘Indiana’ of 2025—Could This Underdog Shock Everyone?

So, here’s a thought: after Indiana’s Cinderella 11-win run last season, is the Big Ten about to get another fairy tale? ESPN’s Heather Dinich certainly thinks so — and she’s got her money on Illinois for 2025. I mean, it’s not just wishful thinking; Bret Bielema’s got the pieces snapping into place. A returning quarterback with a career-best season, eighteen starters coming back, an offensive line that looks like it could plow through a steel wall, and a schedule that conveniently skips Michigan, Penn State, and Oregon? Sounds eerily familiar, doesn’t it? Illinois already showed flashes with a solid 10-3 record and a Citrus Bowl victory, but can they really step into Indiana’s shoes and make a legitimate playoff push? Given the struggles Illinois endured under previous regimes, Bielema’s progress feels like the kind of underdog story we all love to root for. If Luke Altmyer keeps growing, this Illini squad might just surprise even the most skeptical fans. Will Illinois rise from Big Ten also-ran to breakout powerhouse? Strap in — this one might get interesting sooner than you think. LEARN MORE.

Last season, Curt Cignetti and the Indiana Hoosiers shook up the college football world by posting an 11-win season on their way to the Playoff — the first such instances in program history.

Now ESPN CFB analyst Heather Dinich believes there’s another team in the Big Ten poised to make a similar leap in 2025; and they reside in the state neighboring IU and the good folks in Bloomington.

“I think that Illinois is going to be this year’s Indiana, if I’m being honest with you,” Dinich told the “Pat McAfee Show.“

“I really like what [Bret] Bielema has coming back. They got a quarterback, they’ve got eighteen starters, they’ve got all their stars back on the offensive line, and they don’t play Oregon, Michigan or Penn State. I think that’s right. So think about that schedule like Indiana has last year, so look out for the Illini.”

In fairness to Illinois, the Illini went 10-3 last season with a Citrus Bowl win over Shane Beamer and the South Carolina Gamecocks. So it wouldn’t be a complete shock to see them potentially vie for a College Football Playoff spot this fall.

Bielema has done a solid job of building Illinois back into a respectable B1G opponent following tough stretches under Lovie Smith, Bill Cubit and Tim Beckman who went a combined 34-71 over an eight-year stretch.

Former Ole Miss transfer Luke Altmyer appears to have found a home in Champaign after leaving Oxford for greener pastures.

In 2024, the rising senior threw for a career-best 2,717 yards and 22 touchdowns to six interceptions. If he can take it up another notch, Illinois can definitely compete in an increasingly crowded Big Ten conference.

Related: $100 Million Lawsuit Filed Over Shedeur Sanders’ NFL Draft Slide