In this special episode of the Armchair Illini Podcast, we get ready for "Duke Week" by sitting down with Connor O'Neill, the Duke writer for the On3 Network. He gives us an exclusive look at the upcoming football game between the ranked Illinois team and the Duke Blue Devils.

Connor shares his initial thoughts on this exciting matchup, predicting a competitive four-quarter battle between two teams with similar returning talent. He discusses the current era of Duke football, explaining how the program is moving away from being a developmental program and is now able to attract top-tier transfers and recruits.

We get a full breakdown of the Duke offense, including a deep dive on new quarterback Darian Mensa, a transfer from Tulane. Mensa is described as a "precision passer" who is a great fit for Duke's offense. Connor also highlights key offensive weapons such as top target Cooper Barkate and a deep stable of running backs, including Jacquez Moore and Peyton Jones.

On the defensive side, Connor explains Manny Diaz's "high pressure, high TFL" system. He points out the team's strengths in the secondary, led by preseason All-American Chandler Rivers, but notes a potential weakness in linebacker play and safety depth due to an injury.

Finally, Connor gives his prediction for the game and reveals what he thinks will be the deciding factor.

00:00:11 - Welcome & Guest Introduction

00:01:17 - Initial thoughts on the Duke vs. Illinois Matchup

00:02:24 - Describing the Current Era of Duke Football

00:05:12 - Player Spotlight: Duke QB Darian Mensa

00:07:57 - Duke's Offensive Strategy & Key Weapons

00:10:20 - Manny Diaz's Defensive Philosophy

00:14:59 - Team Strengths and Weaknesses

00:16:28 - Fan Excitement and University Resource Allocation

00:20:08 - Final Prediction & Why

00:21:42 - Where to Find Connor's Work

Duke football, Illinois football, Duke vs. Illinois, College football, NCAA, football podcast, Connor O'Neill, On3 Network, Devils Illustrated, Armchair Illini Podcast, Mike Elko, Manny Diaz, Darian Mensa, Luke Altmeier, Cooper Barkate, Jacquez Moore, Chandler Rivers, football preview, college football analysis, Duke football program, Illinois football program

Welcome back to the Armchair Illini Podcast! The offseason is over and we're officially in week two of the Illini football slate. Host Austin Burklund is joined by Alex Kyi of Armchair Illini to discuss all things Illini football and basketball. They'll break down the Illini's dominant win over WIU, preview the upcoming game against Duke, and dive deep into the new-look Illini basketball roster.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

0:12 - Welcome & Offseason is Over

0:41 - Hamilton Walker's Sponsorship

1:14 - Welcoming Alex Kyi

1:43 - The idea behind Armchair Illini and its goals

3:40 - Illini Football discussion begins

3:56 - Initial thoughts on the WIU game

4:15 - Takeaways from the WIU game

4:45 - Previewing the Duke game

5:14 - X-factor for the Illini vs. Duke

5:53 - Confidence in the running game

6:36 - Thoughts on the wide receiver room

7:44 - How the Illini can stop Mensa

8:45 - Taking stock of Duke's week one performance

9:45 - Luke Altmyer's standing in the Big Ten QB rankings

10:52 - Campus Ink Sponsorship

11:24 - Predictions for the Illinois vs. Duke game

12:54 - Illini Basketball discussion begins

13:09 - Confidence in the basketball team's tournament chances

14:17 - Kylen Boswell's potential jump in his second year

15:51 - Concerns about the team's athleticism

17:23 - Most exciting newcomers on the basketball roster

18:18 - Expectations for Ben Humrichous

19:59 - Expectations for Tomislav

21:17 - Brad Underwood's roster building philosophy

23:21 - Message to current Illini students

25:22 - Closing remarks and thank you to Alex

25:56 - Outro

Keywords: Illinois Illini, Illini Football, Illini Basketball, Duke Blue Devils, Big Ten Football, College Football, College Basketball, Brad Underwood, Bret Bielema, Luke Altmyer, Armchair Illini, Alex Kyi, podcast, sports podcast, game preview, Illinois vs Duke, Tomislav Ivisic, Kylan Boswell, college sports, NIL.

Welcome back to the Armchair Illini Podcast! The offseason is over and we're officially in week two of the Illini football slate. Host Austin Burklund is joined by Alex Kyi of Armchair Illini to discuss all things Illini football and basketball. They'll break down the Illini's dominant win over WIU, preview the upcoming game against Duke, and dive deep into the new-look Illini basketball roster.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

0:12 - Welcome & Offseason is Over

0:41 - Hamilton Walker's Sponsorship

1:14 - Welcoming Alex Kyi

1:43 - The idea behind Armchair Illini and its goals

3:40 - Illini Football discussion begins

3:56 - Initial thoughts on the WIU game

4:15 - Takeaways from the WIU game

4:45 - Previewing the Duke game

5:14 - X-factor for the Illini vs. Duke

5:53 - Confidence in the running game

6:36 - Thoughts on the wide receiver room

7:44 - How the Illini can stop Mensa

8:45 - Taking stock of Duke's week one performance

9:45 - Luke Altmyer's standing in the Big Ten QB rankings

10:52 - Campus Ink Sponsorship

11:24 - Predictions for the Illinois vs. Duke game

12:54 - Illini Basketball discussion begins

13:09 - Confidence in the basketball team's tournament chances

14:17 - Kylan Boswell's potential jump in his second year

15:51 - Concerns about the team's athleticism

17:23 - Most exciting newcomers on the basketball roster

18:18 - Expectations for Ben Humrichous

19:59 - Expectations for Tomislav

21:17 - Brad Underwood's roster building philosophy

23:21 - Message to current Illini students

25:22 - Closing remarks and thank you to Alex

25:56 - Outro

Keywords: Illinois Illini, Illini Football, Illini Basketball, Duke Blue Devils, Big Ten Football, College Football, College Basketball, Brad Underwood, Bret Bielema, Luke Altmyer, Armchair Illini, Alex Kyi, podcast, sports podcast, game preview, Illinois vs Duke, Tomislav Ivisic, Kylan Boswell, college sports, NIL.

The Fighting Illini football season is finally here! Hosts of the Armchair Illini podcast, Austin and Kirkland Chappell, break down every single game on the 2025-26 schedule. They discuss the team's strengths, potential pitfalls, and bold predictions, including a possible college football playoff run!

In this video, you'll find:

Game-by-game predictions: A full breakdown of the Illini's schedule and the outcome for each matchup.

Insights on key players: Why quarterback Luke Altmeyer and the returning coaching staff are crucial for success.

Hot takes and bold predictions: Is a college football playoff berth a real possibility for the Illini?

Discussion on the new Big Ten: How the conference's changing landscape, with new teams like USC and the evolving dynamics, will impact Illinois.

The future of the program: What a successful season could mean for fan engagement, donations, and future recruiting under head coach Bret Bielema.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro & Sponsor: Hamilton Walker's

1:00 - Welcome Kirkland Chapel of Armchair Illini

1:51 - Expectations for the season

3:21 - What could cause the Illini to fail?

4:45 - The team's biggest strength: Coaching retention

5:25 - Thoughts on the 2024 schedule

6:16 - Game 1: Western Illinois Leathernecks

7:29 - Game 2: Duke Blue Devils

10:42 - Game 3: Western Michigan Broncos

12:10 - Sponsor: Campus Ink

12:57 - Game 4: Indiana Hoosiers

16:15 - Game 5: USC Trojans

18:06 - Game 6: Purdue Boilermakers

19:30 - Game 7: Ohio State Buckeyes

23:00 - Will Illinois vs. OSU be a "GameDay" game?

24:30 - Game 8: Washington Huskies

25:58 - Game 9: Rutgers Scarlet Knights

27:09 - Game 10: Maryland Terrapins

28:45 - Game 11: Wisconsin Badgers

30:56 - Game 12: Northwestern Wildcats & Final Record

33:55 - College Football Playoff predictions and the future of the program

36:00 - Outro & Socials

Keywords:

Illinois Football, Fighting Illini, Illini, Armchair Illini, College Football, Big Ten, Big Ten Football, Illinois Football Predictions, Bret Bielema, Luke Altmeyer, College Football Playoff, Western Illinois, Duke, Western Michigan, Indiana, USC, Purdue, Ohio State, Washington, Rutgers, Maryland, Wisconsin, Northwestern.

The Fighting Illini football season is finally here! Host of the Armchair Illini podcast, Austin and guest Kirkland Chappell, break down every single game on the 2025 schedule. They discuss the team's strengths, potential pitfalls, and bold predictions, including a possible college football playoff run!

In this video, you'll find:

Game-by-game predictions: A full breakdown of the Illini's schedule and the outcome for each matchup.

Insights on key players: Why quarterback Luke Altmeyer and the returning coaching staff are crucial for success.

Hot takes and bold predictions: Is a college football playoff berth a real possibility for the Illini?

Discussion on the new Big Ten: How the conference's changing landscape, with new teams like USC and the evolving dynamics, will impact Illinois.

The future of the program: What a successful season could mean for fan engagement, donations, and future recruiting under head coach Bret Bielema.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro & Sponsor: Hamilton Walker's

1:00 - Welcome Kirkland Chapel of Armchair Illini

1:51 - Expectations for the season

3:21 - What could cause the Illini to fail?

4:45 - The team's biggest strength: Coaching retention

5:25 - Thoughts on the 2024 schedule

6:16 - Game 1: Western Illinois Leathernecks

7:29 - Game 2: Duke Blue Devils

10:42 - Game 3: Western Michigan Broncos

12:10 - Sponsor: Campus Ink

12:57 - Game 4: Indiana Hoosiers

16:15 - Game 5: USC Trojans

18:06 - Game 6: Purdue Boilermakers

19:30 - Game 7: Ohio State Buckeyes

23:00 - Will Illinois vs. OSU be a "GameDay" game?

24:30 - Game 8: Washington Huskies

25:58 - Game 9: Rutgers Scarlet Knights

27:09 - Game 10: Maryland Terrapins

28:45 - Game 11: Wisconsin Badgers

30:56 - Game 12: Northwestern Wildcats & Final Record

33:55 - College Football Playoff predictions and the future of the program

36:00 - Outro & Socials

Austin brings Courtney Brewer of WCIA 3 on the show to talk about the Illini football camp storylines, Bret Bielema, The coordinators, Luke Altmyer and more! 

ESPN's Heather Dinich talks Illini and the college football playoff. 

Austin talks with Ben Stevens about the Illini hype, Luke Altmyer's place in the B1G QB hierarchy, and Austin throws out some Big Ten Superlatives at Ben.  

Heather and Austin talk Illini and the college football playoff. 

Austin Burklund is joined by Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports and the Cover 3 Podcast to discuss the Illini's expectations, the B1G race, coaching hot seat, and much more!