Welcome to “This Week in Illini Athletics,” a weekly review of the past week of Illini sports and a preview of the week to come.

#24 Football (5-1 Overall, 2-1 Big Ten)

Last Week: We are currently experiencing something special. Memorial Stadium was packed to the brim in Orange & Blue, Illini fans were hanging on to every snap, and the student section was wall too wall the whole game. This environment was not created because a top ranked opponent was coming to play in Champaign... it was because the Illini are now recognized as a threat to the B1G.