Illini Inquirer Podcast: An Illinois Fighting Illini athletics podcast

Jeremy Werner previews Illinois vs. Purdue with Gold & Black's Tom Dienhart and Illini Inquirer's Joey Wagner. Dienhart breaks down the state of the Purdue program, which is on a 19-game Big Ten losing streak, and he breaks down the strengths and weaknesses of the 2026 team and what the game at Illinois means for Purdue. Wagner then joins Werner to welcome Noah Cowell to the Illini Inquirer team and then answer a six-pack of questions about the Illini defense after Bobby Hauck, the latest on the injury report and the matchup against the Boilermakers. The guys wrap up by giving their picks to click and bold predictions for the game.

0:00 - Intro

0:52 - Previewing Purdue Football with Tom Dienhart

24:30 - Noah Cowell welcomed to Illini Inquirer team

29:50 - State of Illini defense after Bobby Hauck

40:38 - Who needs to step up most on defense?

45:17 - Status of injured offensive lineman

49:20 - Injury Report notables

52:57 - Biggest concern against Purdue?

55:45 - Reasons for optimism outside of Katin Houser?

59:00 - Picks to Click

1:03:36 - Bold Predictions

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All-American linebacker and Illini Inquirer football analyst J Leman joins Jeremy Werner to react to defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck's departure after just four games. They discuss what Bielema said of why it happened, what went so wrong and what must happen next for the defense to succeed this season. The guys then look ahead to Saturday's must-win game against Purdue and the keys to victory.

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Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner react to the news that Illinois and defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck have "mutually agreed" to part ways. The guys discuss why they think Bielema showed this urgency and what this means for the program and this season.

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Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner react to Illinois football's game at No. 7 Ohio State. The guys discuss another defensive letdown and Jeremiah Smith's dominance and how Bret Bielema and Bobby Hauck address that side of the ball moving forward. Then the guys discuss positives on offense, including QB Katin Houser, the running game and a thin offensive line.

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Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner preview Illinois football's Big Ten opener at No. 7 Ohio State. The guys break down the latest injury report and what it means for Illinois and how the Illini can compete with the Buckeyes' far more expensive and talented roster. The guys close out by making their picks to click and bold predictions for the game.

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Illini Inquirer's Kyle Tausk and Jeremy Werner discuss a five-star-heavy fall of recruiting for Illinois basketball. The guys discuss the latest buzz following official visits for Darius Wabbington, Bentley Lusakueno and Moussa Kamissoko and an unofficial visit for Dylan Betts. The guys then discuss upcoming official visits for five-star prospects Brady Pettigrew and Benjamin Berrouet.

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(0:00) - Intro

(3:30) - Early impressions from big recruiting weekend

(14:50) - Moussa Kamissoko

(17:45) - Bentley Lusakueno

(20:16) - Dylan Betts

(25:00) - Benjamin Berrouet

(31:30) - Darius Wabbington

(36:50) - Brady Pettigrew

(43:22) - Biggest storylines of the start of fall practice

Illini Sports Network analyst Carey Davis joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to evaluate the Illini through three games, including QB Katin Houser, WR Collin Dixon, the running backs and tight ends and the defense. Then Werner catches up with 247Sports Ohio State expert Dave Biddle of Bucknuts.com to preview the Illini's trip to No. 7 Ohio State. Biddle breaks down expectations in Columbus, the loss to Texas, WR Jeremiah Smith, QB Julian Sayin, the run game, a new-look defense and what Saturday's game against Illinois means for Ohio State.

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(0:00) - Intro

(2:48) - Carey Davis on moving to booth

(5:20) - Thoughts on QB Katin Houser

(7:45) - What's behind WR Collin Dixon's success

(8:43) - Evaluating the Illini run game

(11:29) - Thoughts on RB Javari Barnett

(13:09) - Evaluating the tight ends

(15:20) - Evaluating the Illini defense

(17:56) - Will Holmes impressing

(18:58) - Previewing Ohio State challenge

(20:20) - Davis on Illini recruiting

(23:10) - Dave Biddle joins to talk Illibuck

(24:30) - Expectations at Ohio State

(26:00) - Jeremiah Smith's standing in OSU history

(30:15) - Conversation around QB Julian Sayin

(32:23) - Ohio State's run game

(37:37) - What Illinois game means for OSU

(40:54) - Wrapping up the pod

(34:38) - Ohio State's defense

All-American linebacker J Leman joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to review Illinois football's 48-10 win over Southern Illinois. Leman breaks down another strong passing performance for Katin Houser, Collin Dixon and crew; what improvements he saw from the Illini defense; lingering concerns heading into Big Ten play; and flashes from some freshmen, including RB Javari Barnett. Then Leman looks ahead to the Illini's monumental task at No. 7 Ohio State on Saturday.

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(0:00) - Intro

(2:08) - Leman's thoughts on SIU win

(4:08) - Thoughts on Illini's strong passing attack

(9:28) - Concerns in running game

(12:30) - Freshman RB Javari Barnett's strong first impression

(16:50) - Did defense take step forward?

(20:30) - DB Tanner Heckel's strong game

(21:59) - Defensive playmakers

(27:05) - Memory lane of 2007 Illini win at Ohio State

(40:50) - Keys for Illini against Ohio State

(47:47) - Final thoughts

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner break down Illinois football's 48-10 win over Southern Illinois. The guys discuss big games against from Katin Houser and Collin Dixon, getting more weapons involved offensively, piecing together an offensive line, freshman RB Javari Barnett and a far cleaner day for the defense. Then the guys look ahead to Saturday's game at No. 6 Ohio State.

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Jeremy Werner chats with River Radio Group's Matt Varney and Illini Inquirer's Joey Wagner to preview Saturday's non-conference finale between Illinois and Southern Illinois. Varney breaks down SIU, including star QB DJ Williams, what the Salukis bring on defense and expectations against Illinois. Then Werner and Wagner break down the Illini side of the matchup with a six-pack of questions and their picks to click and bold predictions. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on:

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