Illinois set for Big Ten Media Days in Las Vegas
The 2025 Big Ten Football Media Days kick off Tuesday, July 22 through Thursday, July 24 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, with Illinois taking the stage early on Day 1. Orange and Blue News will be on the ground in Las Vegas with full coverage of the event.
Head Coach Bret Bielema will be joined by three key leaders of the Illini program:
- Luke Altmyer, Quarterback
- JC Davis, Offensive Lineman
- Xavier Scott, Defensive Back
The Illini contingent is scheduled to speak at 1:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday, immediately following Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti, who opens the day at 1:00 p.m. CT.
The Media Days offer a key early spotlight on Illinois’ veteran leadership. Altmyer, who returns for his third season as the starting quarterback, will share the spotlight with Scott, one of the Big Ten’s most experienced defensive backs, and J.C. Davis, an anchor on the offensive line.
Illinois enters the 2025 season riding momentum from a 10–3 campaign that included a win in the Citrus Bowl and the program’s highest final AP ranking since the early 2000s. With a core group of experienced returners on both sides of the ball, expectations are high for another strong year under Bielema.
Bielema enters his fourth season leading the Illini and will likely address topics ranging from returning talent to roster depth and expectations for the 2025 campaign.
The preseason Big Ten football poll will be released ahead of Media Days. The poll is conducted annually by Cleveland.com, which took over the tradition after the Big Ten Conference stopped producing an official poll in 2010.
In the18-team Big Ten, Ohio State, Oregon, and Penn State are viewed as early favorites in the race for a College Football Playoff berth, while Illinois is considered a dark horse contender.
BTN coverage schedule (Central Time)
Big Ten Network (BTN) will provide full live coverage of the event each day. Fans can also stream via the FOX Sports App or BTN+.
Tuesday, July 22
- 1:00–3:00 p.m. CT – B1G Live: Media Day Press Conferences
- 3:00–6:00 p.m. CT – B1G Live: Football Media Day Special
Wednesday, July 23
- 12:30–2:00 p.m. CT – Press Conferences
- 2:00–5:00 p.m. CT – Media Day Special
Thursday, July 24
- 12:30–2:00 p.m. CT – Press Conferences
- 2:00–5:00 p.m. CT – Media Day Special
BTN’s studio crew—Rick Pizzo, Jake Butt, Mike Hall, Yogi Roth, Dave Revsine, Howard Griffith, Gerry DiNardo, and Ashley Adamson—will provide interviews, insights, and team breakdowns live from Las Vegas.
