The first month of college football has already thrown off expectations, with major powerhouses like Ohio State, Penn State, and Oregon remaining steady while strong contenders like Florida, Clemson, and Notre Dame fell apart. Due to this disruption, new names have been able to enter the debate. In their last three games, the Illini have completely outscored opponents 64-0 in the second half, securing back-to-back decisive wins that show their ability to perform well in the end.

Bret Bielema is aware of his team’s shortcomings, though. “We can’t give up two quarters of football and expect to be in the contest at the end,” the head coach admitted after a 38–0 sweep of Western Michigan. Illinois led Duke by just one point at halftime before defeating them by a score of 26. They also gave Western Michigan a 10–0 start before pulling away. So his worries are legit. But the buzz hasn’t been diminished by those slow openings. The program is suddenly being positioned as a serious Big Ten dark horse thanks to the Illini’s halftime adjustments, a seasoned offensive line, and a defense that has only given up seven points in the last six quarters.

In a recent episode of Jox 94.5, Dave Pasch admitted that he was one of those people who had been taken aback by Illinois’ early-season rise. “Well, we had Illinois a couple weeks ago. I think they’re a real contender in the Big Ten. I do. I think they’ve got everything you look for to beat a team like Ohio State or Penn State or Oregon,” Dave said. That would have sounded outrageous a month ago, but Illinois has forced people to take notice. They are 3-0, ranked eighth nationally, and have the nation’s longest winning streak, thanks to a veteran roster and a championship-winning defense.

One of Illinois’ biggest early wins was the collapse of Duke. “I know that’s a tall ask. Not saying it’s gonna happen, but I would say that’s a team that has surprised me… Duke clearly isn’t as good as they were last year,” Dave admitted. Illinois forced five turnovers and turned a one-point halftime lead into a 45–19 crushing win, but they didn’t just barely defeat Duke. Later, after the win, Luke Altmyer smiled and said, “Five? You win the turnover battle by five, you got a good chance to win the game.”

And the numbers back up their dominance. Illinois, which is tied for second place nationally with schools like Alabama and Penn State, leads the Power Four in turnover margin. Also, they are among only eight programs in the nation that have not yet committed a turnover. It’s simple to understand why Dave thinks that “Illinois in the second half pulled away… Duke couldn’t stop them.” when you combine that discipline with a fifth-year quarterback in Altmyer, an experienced offensive line, and defensive standouts like Gabe Jacas and Matthew Bailey.“Their schedule is pretty favorable Illinois. So that’s a team that at least I’ve seen in person um that you know I really think can uh contend for a Big 10 championship” Dave added.

Luke Altmyer turns down $2 million SEC offer

Luke Altmyer could have easily left Champaign with the money. According to reports, an SEC powerhouse offered the Illinois quarterback an incredible $2 million to jump ship via the transfer portal. Few would have blamed Altmyer for pursuing that kind of pay in today’s college football world, where transfer moves and NIL deals frequently make headlines. But rather than cashing out, the fifth-year quarterback reaffirmed his dedication to Illinois, a choice that speaks louder about his personality than any stat score could.

Bret Bielema, the head coach, told the story with no hesitation. Bielema stressed his quarterback’s loyalty by saying, “And [Altmyer] never called me once, not a single time to talk about money.” For a team that has frequently struggled to keep talent from leaving, having a leader who prioritizes program stability over monetary gains is a huge blessing. Illinois’ rise into the Big Ten battle is being fueled by Altmyer’s focus on football rather than contracts.

The results are clearly apparent. Altmyer has led the Illini to new heights, including last year’s Citrus Bowl victory, and amassed  5,309 yards and 43 touchdowns since joining the team in 2023. He has improved his accuracy to a career-best rate this fall, earned the respect of teammates with his consistent leadership, and kept Illinois unbeaten through three games. Some may think it’s crazy to pass up $2 million, but Altmyer may see a much greater reward: a run for a Big Ten championship that would solidify his legacy.