The Champaign Room
A Fighting Illini community since 2012
Total reads
2,724
This week
1
Rank
#87 of 465
Published
1,027 posts
Last 12 weeks
Most read posts
Featured on Sportsblogs
Run this blog? Add the badge to your site to show readers you're featured — it links back to this page.
Latest Entries
Why Illinois will make the College Football Playoff in 2026
I’m calling it now: Illinois is making the College Football Playoff. Illinois is finishing 11-1, with its only loss coming at Ohio State. The path is there. Illinois opens with three straight home games against UAB, Duke and Southern Illinois. Most likely, by the time you’re reading this, they’ve already handily defeated UAB. They’re winning […]
TCR Daily Brief: Thursday, Sept. 3
Good morning, Illini fans! It’s finally here. Football is back. 🏈 The big story Illinois football is officially back tonight. The Illini open the 2026 season against UAB at Gies Memorial Stadium at 8 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network. Katin Houser will make his Illinois debut at quarterback, while new defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck […]
Illinois women’s basketball sell out lower bowl seats
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illini have sold out reserved lower bowl season tickets in consecutive years for the first time in program history. This comes in a period of resurgence under head coach Shauna Green, who will be heading into her fifth season with the orange and blue. Under Green, the Illini have finally found […]
The Champaign Room Reacts Survey
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NCAA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Illinois fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys:
One day away: Illinois kicks off against UAB Thursday
We are officially one day away from the first kickoff for the Fighting Illini. After an offseason of change and realignment, the wait is over: Grange Grove will be filled with tailgaters once more, and Gies Memorial Stadium will be roaring again. It’s been 278 days since the orange and blue graced Zuppke Field, and […]
Illinois’ five best uniform combos of the Bielema era
A familiar buzz has returned to Champaign-Urbana. The student body has arrived en masse. Classes are underway. Illinois football has resumed their winning habit. The townsfolk’s lives trundle onward under the ominous glow of the nation’s largest college football video board. We are so back. It has been nearly a decade since I set foot […]
Will Illinois-Missouri football rivalry actually return in 2027?
The wait continues to find out when and where the 2027 football matchup between Illinois and Missouri will take place. Josh Whitman told the press on July 25 that the location has yet to be discussed and needs to be addressed soon. “Not today,” Whitman said when asked about the location of the 2027 game. […]
TCR Daily Brief: Wednesday, Sept. 2
Happy Wednesday! Here’s what you need to know today. 🏈 The big story Illinois football is officially one day away from kickoff. The Illini open the 2026 season Thursday night against UAB at Memorial Stadium. Katin Houser will make his Illinois debut at quarterback, while Bobby Hauck’s revamped defense gets its first test. Kickoff is […]
Kaden Feagin’s move to TE adds a new element to Illinois’ offense
In this episode of ‘Oskee Talk’ I’m joined by TCR’s Pleas Honeywood to preview Illinois’ receivers & tight ends. We discuss: Click below to listen! Join the conversation! Comment below and make sure to subscribe to Oskee Talk wherever you find your podcasts!
Three biggest question marks going into the 2026-2027 Illinois Football season
Illini Isaac gives his three biggest question marks facing the Illini as they prepare to take on UAB to kickoff the 2026-2027 season. Check out State Farm Agent Brian Hanson for a home, auto, business, and life insurance needs quote today: https://gtlk.link/5zlx5Emx Chief’s Naturals provides all-natural dog treats to Illini dogs and pups everywhere looking for […]
UAB Blazers preview – Illinois Football game 1 | TCR Podcast
Illini Isaac is joined by Ethan Pavey of The Champaign Room to break down the UAB Blazers and preview what they hope to see in Illinois’ first game of the season. Check out State Farm Agent Brian Hanson for a home, auto, business, and life insurance needs quote today: https://gtlk.link/5zlx5Emx Chief’s Naturals provides all-natural dog treats […]
What to expect when Illinois women’s basketball heads to Bahamas
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illini women’s basketball 2026-27 schedule is coming together as the team announced a trip down to the Bahamas over Thanksgiving weekend in the Baha Mar Hoops Nassau Championship Tournament. Illinois is set to duel Marquette on Friday, Nov. 27, followed by a matchup with Saint Jospeh’s, Sunday, Nov. 29 before gearing […]
Illinois extends contract with Nike through 2033
The Swoosh isn’t going anywhere as Illinois has signed an extension with Nike through the year 2033. Illinois and Nike have been partners since 1995, and this agreement makes sure the school/brand relationship won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman expressed his satisfaction with the new deal in a statement, […]
Illinois women’s basketball adds two games in Bahamas to 2026-27 schedule
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois women’s basketball now knows two more opponents on its 2026-27 non-conference schedule. The Illini will travel to Nassau, Bahamas, for the Baha Mar Hoops Nassau Championship from Nov. 27-29 at the Baha Mar Convention, Arts & Entertainment Center. Illinois opens the event against Marquette on Friday, Nov. 27, at 10 a.m. […]
TCR Daily Brief: Tuesday, Sept. 1
Happy Tuesday! Here’s what you need to know today: 🏈 The big story Illinois football is officially in game week. The Illini open the 2026 season Thursday night against UAB at Gies Memorial Stadium. Katin Houser will make his Illinois debut at quarterback, while Bobby Hauck’s new-look defense gets its first test. Kickoff is set […]
Get the best of The Champaign Room on the new SB Nation app
It’s a big day for The Champaign Room. Today, the SB Nation app is live, and it’s the best way to follow the Illini. You can download it by searching SB Nation for iOS or Android. A year ago we made some big changes to our community, including offering fewer ads and the addition of […]
How to Watch Illinois vs. UAB: Game Time, TV Channel, Online Streaming and Odds
How to Watch Illinois vs. UAB Game Time: 8 p.m. Thursday TV Channel: BTN Online Streaming: FoxSportsGO Odds: ILL -27.5, O/U 54.5 Quick Hits: Illinois Fighting Illini (0-0, 0-0 Big Ten) Head Coach: Bret Bielema (6th season) Last Game: Illinois 30, Tennessee 28 (Music City Bowl) UAB Blazers (0-0, 0-0 The American) Head coach: Alex Mortensen (1st season) Last […]
TCR Daily Brief: Monday, Aug. 31
🏐 The Big Story Illinois volleyball finally has its first win of the 2026 season. The Illini bounced back from Friday’s brutal five-set loss to Cincinnati by sweeping Syracuse, 3-0, Sunday at Huff Hall. It was the first victory of the Chris Tamas era’s latest chapter and gives Illinois some momentum heading into a very […]
Stability in the run game should give Illinois’ offense a boost
In this episode of Oskee Talk my preseason position previews continue by spotlighting Illinois’ running backs: Click below to listen! Join the conversation! Comment below and make sure to subscribe to Oskee Talk wherever you find your podcasts!
Lions waive former Illinois QB Luke Altmyer
Luke Altmyer’s first NFL roster battle has officially come to an end. The former Illinois quarterback is being waived by the Detroit Lions, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Sunday. It puts a pause on Altmyer’s attempt to earn a spot on Detroit’s 53-man roster. Altmyer entered training camp with a legitimate opportunity to stick around […]
TCR Daily Brief: Sunday, Aug. 30
Happy Sunday! Here’s what you need to know today. 🏐 The big story Illinois volleyball gets its chance to bounce back today. The Illini dropped a heartbreaking 3-2 decision to Cincinnati in Friday’s season opener at Huff Hall, despite winning the first two sets. Alyssa Aguayo led Illinois with 15 kills, while Paityn Chapman recorded […]
Keaton Wagler, Kylan Boswell return to Champaign for workout
Illinois basketball may be preparing for a new season, but a pair of familiar faces are back in Champaign. Former Illini stars Keaton Wagler and Kylan Boswell appeared to return to campus this weekend to get a workout in with the Illinois basketball team, according to Adam Fletcher’s Instagram story. Wagler and Boswell helped form […]
TCR Daily Brief: Saturday, Aug. 29
Happy Saturday! Here’s what you need to know today: 🏐 The big story Illinois volleyball opened the 2026 season with a five-set loss Friday night, falling to Cincinnati 3-2 at Huff Hall. The Illini dropped the deciding fifth set to the Bearcats. Illinois will have a chance to bounce back Sunday against Syracuse. 🏀 Basketball […]
Ohio State picked to win 2026 Big Ten title
Well, well, well. What’s old is new again. Fresh off INDIANA winning the Big Ten title, nobody believes in the Hoosiers once again — and it’s Ohio State that everyone is favoring (read: expecting) to win the conference title in December. In a new poll out Friday, 42% of fans nationwide are predicting OSU wins […]
New faces, new systems: Illinois coaches prepare for UAB opener
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — With less than a week until Illinois returns to Memorial Stadium, the Illini are preparing to take the field with a team that looks much different than it did a year ago. Following an offseason full of turbulence, Illinois will finally have the chance to show what its new-look roster can do […]
Displaying items 151-175 of 1027 in total