Illini Inquirer Podcast: An Illinois Fighting Illini athletics podcast

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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Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner react to Illinois football's 42-23 season-opening win over UAB. The guys discusses encouraging signs from the offense — especially QB Katin Houser's debut and star performances from RB Ca'Lil Valentine and WR Collin Dixon — but some concerns (and bright spots) from Bobby Hauck's defense.
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Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner catches up with former IHSA football head coach Mat Pistole to break down the X's and O's of Bobby Hauck's new Illinois defensive scheme, how it fits the Illini's personnel and the exciting and concerning things about the defense in 2026. Then Werner and Joey Wagner preview Illini football's season opener against UAB, what they want to see from the offense and defense, their picks to click and their bold predictions.
Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on:
Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8
Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct
Go VIP for 60% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz
(0:00) - Intro
(1:05) - Mat Pistole on Bobby Hauck's 3-3-5 scheme
(5:05) - Thoughts on bringing defense to Illinois
(9:01) - How Hauck deploys the defensive line
(14:52) - Importance of LBs in this defense
(20:50) - The secondary in this defense
(28:50) - Keys for defense vs. UAB
(30:45) - Question marks of the defense
(33:30) - Illinois vs. UAB preview
(36:38) - What we want to see from offense
(43:02) - What we want to see from defense
(45:34) - Picks to click offense
(49:48) - Picks to click defense
(53:03) - Bold prediction offense
(55:50) - Bold prediction defense

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner make their bold predictions for the 2026 Illinois football season. The guys discuss some potential big goals for the Illini offense, a wide range of possibilities for the defense and some potential breakout performers.
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Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on:
Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8
Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct
Go VIP for 60% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz