ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit said the Illinois Fighting Illini have a huge opportunity Saturday against No. 19 Kansas. He also praised quarterback Luke Altmyer
"They haven't had a chance like this against a non-conference opponent," Herbstreit said on College GameDay. "I think it was 2011 that the last time they knocked off a non-conference, ranked opponent."
Herbstreit also showed some love for Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer. While Kansas features Jalon Daniels, Altmyer has a chance to make a statement. "Luke Altmyer, by the way," Herbstreit said. "A lot of focus on Jalon Daniels. The kid at Illinois can play. He's got a lot of experience."Kansas into Champaign for the first time since 1968 with a colossal opportunity at stake for fourth-year coach Bret Bielema.
The Fighting Illini carry a sold-out environment into Saturday night for the first time in eight years. After a nearly two-decade spell of turmoil under several coaches, including former NFL mainstay Lovie Smith, the program attempts to turn a corner toward consistency. The Illini are coming off a season in which five of seven losses were decided by a touchdown or fewer. The two other losses were less competitive, which included an 11-point road loss to the Jayhawks, 34-23. It's a game in whichhas gone on record saying he has watched "100 times," arguably making it the most critical of Bielema's tenure.Illinois-Kansas will air nationally at 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT on FS1 from Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit ‘Done Giving Any S—ts’ About Trans Athlete TalkESPN football analyst Kirk Herbstreit is ‘done giving any s–ts’ about being criticized for his stance on trans athletes after ‘biting his tongue’ for years
Read more »
ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit Anticipates Fiery FSU Football Fanbase In IrelandFlorida State and Georgia Tech fans have sold out Aviva Stadium, but it likely won't be a warm welcome for the ESPN analyst.
Read more »
Fired ESPN Analyst Blasts Pat McAfee, Kirk Herbstreit: 'Most Overly Sensitive People I've Ever Met'ESPN college football analyst Ryan Leaf called ESPN colleagues Pat McAfee and Kirk Herbstreit 'overly sensitive' and 'narcissist' in an interview with OutKick.
Read more »
Feud with 'narcissists' Pat McAfee, Kirk Herbstreit led to my ESPN downfall: Ryan LeafLeaf torched the pair of ESPN “College GameDay” personalities while alleging they used their standing within the company to have him ousted from calling games last year.
Read more »
Kirk Herbstreit: ESPN hasn't said a word to me since revealing strong transgender stanceKirk Herbstreit said he hasn’t heard from ESPN about his recent remarks regarding his stance that men don’t belong in women’s sports.
Read more »
FSU Football Fans Voice Displeasure With Kirk Herbstreit on ESPN’s College GameDaySeminole fans booed Herbstreit relentlessly on College GameDay with some of them even being booted from the event.
Read more »