Illini Inquirer Podcast: An Illinois Fighting Illini athletics podcast

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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Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Kyle Tausk react to Illinois basketball's 2026-27 Big Ten schedule drop and preview a huge recruiting weekend full of five-star prospects. The guys discuss the setup of the schedule and what it means for the team. Then the guys discuss a star-studded visitor list for the weekend of four Composite five-star prospects: 2027 prospects Darius Wabbington and Moussa Kamissoko and 2028 prospects Bentley Lusakueno and Dylan Betts.

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(0:00) - Intro

(2:53) - Breaking down the tough and soft spots of schedule

(8:55) - Advantage of two-plays

(12:25) - Home weekend schedule

(15:24) - Kyle's most anticipated B1G road trip

(16:40) - B1G game of the season

(20:05) - Over/under wins

(28:43) - Previewing a huge recruiting weekend for Illini

(36:08) - Darius Wabbington

(41:36) - Dylan Betts

(43:15) - Bentley Lusakueno

(46:30) - Moussa Kamissoko

All-American linebacker and Illini Inquirer football analyst J Leman joins Jeremy Werner to react to Illinois football's 31-27 loss to Duke. Leman discusses his concern level after the loss, key miscues that swung the close game, the difference between a great offensive first half and poor close and what Illinois needs to be more successful defensively. Leman also discusses what he wants to see in the Illini's game Saturday against Southern Illinois and what he makes of a bad week for the Big Ten.

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(0:00) - Intro

(1:10) - J Leman's panic meter after Duke loss

(3:00) - Biggest concerns after two games

(5:00) - Secondary has to step up

(7:23) - Missed tackles continue

(12:20) - Limited defensive disruption

(13:43) - Didn't make winning plays in key situations

(18:30) - Offense can't close in winning time

(28:52) - Offensive line injuries & run game inconsistency

(30:50) - Collin Dixon's monster game and emergence

(34:40) - What Leman wants to see vs. SIU

(36:15) - Bad week for the Big Ten

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner react to Illinois football's 31-27 loss to Duke. The guys break down the defense's continued struggles, the offense's tale of two halves and what it means for the team moving forward.

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CBS Sports college basketball writer Isaac Trotter joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to break down the latest college basketball news, including Purdue's Trey Kaufman-Renn and Minnesota's Cade Tyson's chances at another year of eligibility, Michigan freshman Brandon McCoy's season-ending injury and Mark Mitchell's return to Missouri. Then Trotter breaks down his expectations for Illini freshman Quentin Coleman; the latest updates on Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic and David Mirkovic; and his views on Illinois basketball's ceiling and floor for the 2026-27 season.

Read Isaac Trotter's latest

• Illini basketball roster breakdown
• Meet college basketball's polarizing freshman class

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(0:00) - Intro

(3:12) - Latest on Trey Kaufman-Renn, Cade Tyson

(7:40) - Impact of Brandon McCoy's injury on Michigan

(10:40) - Impact of Mark Mitchell back to Missouri

(12:05) - Steve Pikiell announces cancer diagnosis

(14:53) - Latest on Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic and David Mirkovic

(20:18) - Stefan Vaaks and Brad Underwood's comments

(25:23) - How Quentin Coleman fits into national freshman class

(31:44) - Illinois basketball's floor and ceiling

(40:33) - Outro

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner preview Illinois vs. Duke with a six-pack of questions. The guys break down how Brandon Henderson's injury impacts the offensive line, what other personnel changes the Illini could make, the key to Bobby Hauck's defense slowing down Duke's passing attack, the keys for the offense against Manny Diaz's aggressive defense and their biggest concerns and reasons for confidence in the game. The guys wrap up by making their Picks to Click and their bold predictions for the game.

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0:00 - Intro

0:53 - Setting up Illinois vs. Duke

4:55 - Home-field advantage for Illini

7:35 - Impact of Brandon Henderson's injury

14:26 - Personnel changes in Week 2?

23:36 - How does defense slow down Duke rushing attack?

30:00 - How does Illini attack Duke's aggressive defense?

35:12 - Biggest reason for confidence against Duke

41:05 - Biggest reason for concern against Duke

45:54 - Picks to click 5

53:26 - Bold predictions

57:45 - Look around the Big Ten

All-American linebacker J Leman joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to review Illinois football's 42-23 season-opening win over UAB. Leman breaks down Bobby Hauck's defensive coordinator debut, concerns about the Illini's run defense and tackling but encouraging signs from its pass rush. Leman then breaks down his initial impressions of the Katin Houser-led offense and new-look offensive line. He then previews Saturday's non-conference showdown against defending ACC champion Duke.

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