reportedDaily Illini football desk@By Brendan Gallian, Staff Writer
12hUnconfirmed tip on Smith’s status against Oregon on Saturday.
Champ Smith · OLCHECKING
Big Ten · 3-3 · 1-2 CONF · ATS 2-4 · O/U 5-1
Illinois Fighting Illini
HC Bret Bielema (6th yr) · OC Barry Lunney Jr. · DC Bobby Hauck
STARTS IN 11 PERSONNEL (5 OF 6) · BASE D 3-3-5 · SHOTGUN 91%
Power rating−1.379th
CFP odds0%—
PLAYOFFOUT→OUT
Proj. wins4.7of 12
Fan pulse+8▲16
Big Ten · 3-3 · 1-2 CONF · ATS 2-4 · O/U 5-1
Illinois
Fighting Illini · HC Bret Bielema (6th yr) · starts in 11 (5 of 6) · base D 3-3-5
Power rating−1.379th
CFP odds0%—
Proj. wins4.7of 12
Fan pulse+8▲16
Illinois
3-3 · 1-2 Big Ten
POWER RATING−1.379th in FBS
CFP ODDS0%no change
PROJ. WINS4.7of 12 games
Fan sentiment
NET −100 TO +100 · WEEKLYNET SENTIMENT −100 TO +100 · WEEKLY · 2026FANSHAVOC MODEL EXPECTATIONUNDER 30 SCORED POSTS · NO SCOREEVENTPOSTS / WEEK
FANSMODELUNDER 30 SCOREDEVENTPOSTS
| Week | Fans | Model | Posts | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WK 1 · UAB | no score (too few posts) | — | 121 | — |
| WK 2 · DUKE | no score (too few posts) | — | 144 | — |
| WK 3 · SIU | no score (too few posts) | — | 4 | — |
| WK 4 · @OSU | no score (too few posts) | — | 6 | — |
| WK 5 · PUR | no score (too few posts) | — | 13 | — |
| WK 6 · @MSU | −16 | −21 | 187 | — |
| WK 7 | −8 | −21 | 183 | — |
| WK 8 · ORE | +8 | −21 | 46 so far | Katin Houser out (game) |
| Week | Fans | Model | Posts | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WK 1 · UAB | no score (too few posts) | — | 121 | — |
| WK 2 · DUKE | no score (too few posts) | — | 144 | — |
| WK 3 · SIU | no score (too few posts) | — | 4 | — |
| WK 4 · @OSU | no score (too few posts) | — | 6 | — |
| WK 5 · PUR | no score (too few posts) | — | 13 | — |
| WK 6 · @MSU | −16 | −21 | 187 | — |
| WK 7 | −8 | −21 | 183 | — |
| WK 8 · ORE | +8 | −21 | 46 so far | Katin Houser out (game) |
- 1INJURY · WK 8Katin Houser out (game)
| Week | Fans | Model | Posts | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WK 1 · UAB | no score (too few posts) | — | 121 | — |
| WK 2 · DUKE | no score (too few posts) | — | 144 | — |
| WK 3 · SIU | no score (too few posts) | — | 4 | — |
| WK 4 · @OSU | no score (too few posts) | — | 6 | — |
| WK 5 · PUR | no score (too few posts) | — | 13 | — |
| WK 6 · @MSU | −16 | −21 | 187 | — |
| WK 7 | −8 | −21 | 183 | — |
| WK 8 · ORE | +8 | −21 | 46 so far | Katin Houser out (game) |
NET SENTIMENT = % POSITIVE − % NEGATIVE POSTS · n 704 SINCE WK 1 · REDDIT 78% · RSS 22%
MODEL EXPECTATION = MOOD IMPLIED BY POWER RATING + CFP ODDS · RIVAL FANS FILTERED · UPDATED 7:03 AM ET
NET = % POSITIVE − % NEGATIVE POSTS · n 704 SINCE WK 1 · REDDIT 78% · RSS 22%
MODEL EXPECTATION = MOOD IMPLIED BY POWER RATING + CFP ODDS · RIVAL FANS FILTERED · UPDATED 7:03 AM ET
n 704 POSTS SINCE WK 1 · UPDATED 7:03 AM ET
REDDIT 78% · RSS 22%
MODEL = MOOD IMPLIED BY POWER RATING + CFP ODDS
Fan pulse
WK 8 · SO FAR+8▲ 16 vs wk 7
Model expects−21
−100 GLOOMY0EUPHORIC +100
Fans 29 pts more upbeat than the model
Illinois is 3-3 after a 1-point win over Michigan State.
Illinois is 3-3 after a 1-point win over Michigan State.
Where this week’s posts come from | Mood | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| r/fightingillini | 63% | +11 | |
| r/UIUC | 30% | +9 | |
| IlliniGuys | 15% | 0 |
Who covers Illinois
12 SOURCES · GRADED12 SOURCES · GRADED AGAINST OFFICIAL REPORTSReporter | Reporter | Links | Tier | Hit rate | First | Lead | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BB Bret Bielema weekly press conference videosofficial Illinois Athletics · Team officialfightingillini.com/sports/football· PDF · last — source of truth · reference for grading | BB Bret Bielema weekly press conference videosIllinois Athletics · Team officialIllinois Athletics ·fightingillini.com/sports/football | fightingillini.com/sports/footballPDF · reference for grading | official | source of truth | — | — | — |
IA Illinois Athleticsofficial Illinois Athletics · Team officialfightingillini.com/· PDF · last — source of truth · reference for grading | IA Illinois AthleticsIllinois Athletics · Team officialIllinois Athletics ·fightingillini.com/ | fightingillini.com/PDF · reference for grading | official | source of truth | — | — | — |
IF Illinois Footballofficial Illinois Athletics · Team officialfightingillini.com/sports/football· PDF · last — source of truth · reference for grading | IF Illinois FootballIllinois Athletics · Team officialIllinois Athletics ·fightingillini.com/sports/football | fightingillini.com/sports/footballPDF · reference for grading | official | source of truth | — | — | — |
IF Illinois football news feedofficial fightingillini.com · Team officialfightingillini.com/sports/football· PDF · last Sun source of truth · reference for grading | IF Illinois football news feedfightingillini.com · Team officialfightingillini.com ·fightingillini.com/sports/football | fightingillini.com/sports/footballPDF · reference for grading | official | source of truth | — | — | Sun |
BS Ben Somervillereported The Daily Illini (student paper) · Beat writerdailyillini.com/staff_name/ben-somerville/· last — source of truth · reference for grading | BS Ben SomervilleThe Daily Illini (student paper) · Beat writerThe Daily Illini (student paper) ·dailyillini.com/staff_name/ben-somerville/ | dailyillini.com/staff_name/ben-somerville/Site | reported | source of truth | — | — | — |
BA Bob Asmussenreported The News-Gazette (Champaign) · Beat writer@BobAsmussen· last — source of truth · reference for grading | BA Bob AsmussenThe News-Gazette (Champaign) · Beat writerThe News-Gazette (Champaign) ·@BobAsmussen | @BobAsmussenSite | reported | source of truth | — | — | — |
DI Daily Illini football deskreported The Daily Illini (student paper) · Beat writerdailyillini.com/sports-stories/mens-sports/football/feed/· last 12h source of truth · reference for grading | DI Daily Illini football deskThe Daily Illini (student paper) · Beat writerThe Daily Illini (student paper) ·dailyillini.com/sports-stories/mens-sports/football/feed/ | dailyillini.com/sports-stories/mens-sports/football/feed/RSS · Site | reported | source of truth | — | — | 12h |
MD Matt Danielsreported The News-Gazette (Champaign) · Beat writer@mdaniels_NG· last — source of truth · reference for grading | MD Matt DanielsThe News-Gazette (Champaign) · Beat writerThe News-Gazette (Champaign) ·@mdaniels_NG | @mdaniels_NGSite | reported | source of truth | — | — | — |
SR Scott Richeyreported The News-Gazette (Champaign) · Beat writer@srrichey· last — source of truth · reference for grading | SR Scott RicheyThe News-Gazette (Champaign) · Beat writerThe News-Gazette (Champaign) ·@srrichey | @srricheySite | reported | source of truth | — | — | — |
JW Jeremy Wernerrumor Illini Inquirer (On3) · Insider@JWerner247· last 4h source of truth · reference for grading | JW Jeremy WernerIllini Inquirer (On3) · InsiderIllini Inquirer (On3) ·@JWerner247 | @JWerner247Bluesky · Site | rumor | source of truth | — | — | 4h |
JW Joey Wagnerrumor 247Sports Illinois · Insider@mrwagner25· last — source of truth · reference for grading | JW Joey Wagner247Sports Illinois · Insider247Sports Illinois ·@mrwagner25 | @mrwagner25Site | rumor | source of truth | — | — | — |
KT Kyle Tauskrumor 247Sports Illinois · Insider@ktausk13· last — source of truth · reference for grading | KT Kyle Tausk247Sports Illinois · Insider247Sports Illinois ·@ktausk13 | @ktausk13Site | rumor | source of truth | — | — | — |
HIT RATE = CLAIMS LATER CONFIRMED BY THE OFFICIAL REPORT OR BOX-SCORE PARTICIPATIONHIT = LATER CONFIRMED BY THE OFFICIAL REPORT
FIRST = SHARE OF CONFIRMED CLAIMS THEY BROKE · LEAD = MEDIAN HOURS AHEAD OF THE OFFICIAL REPORTFIRST = SHARE THEY BROKE · LEAD = HOURS AHEAD
NEW ACCOUNTS START AS RUMOR · REPORTED AT ≥ 75% OVER 8 GRADED CLAIMSNEW ACCOUNTS START AS RUMOR
Latest from the beat
LAST 72 H · 7 CLAIMSreportedDaily Illini football desk@By Brendan Gallian, Staff Writer
12hUnconfirmed tip on Schuster’s status against Oregon on Saturday.
Dezmond Schuster · OLCHECKING
reportedDaily Illini football desk@By Brendan Gallian, Staff Writer
12hUnconfirmed tip: Platt could be questionable against Oregon on Saturday.
Jayshon Platt · WRCHECKING
reportedDaily Illini football desk@By Brendan Gallian, Staff Writer
1dUnconfirmed tip: Perry could be out for the season.
Alex Perry · WRCHECKING
How a tip becomes a status
- 1A free source posts a tipForum, Reddit, Bluesky or RSS. “The starting QB missed practice.”
- 2One targeted X checkfrom:[Illinois writers] Smith · last 72 h
- 3A cited status, graded laterShown next to the official one. Scored against the next report.
- official
- Conference report or team statement. The status of record.
- reported
- Writer with a proven record. Shown beside official, cited.
- rumor
- New, fan or unproven. Feed only until confirmed.
Fan sources
7 SOURCES · TIPS + PULSE7 SOURCES · TIPS AND FAN PULSESource | Source | Size | Posts / wk | Mood | Tier | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
r/ r/fightingillinirumor Subreddit · Reddit—29/ wkmood+11 | r/ r/fightingilliniSubreddit · Reddit | — | 29 | +11 | rumor | TIPS · MOOD |
r/ r/UIUCrumor Subreddit · Reddit—14/ wkmood+9 | r/ r/UIUCSubreddit · Reddit | — | 14 | +9 | rumor | TIPS · MOOD |
B IlliniGuysrumor Team blog · IlliniGuys (independent)348 followers7/ wkmood0 | B IlliniGuysTeam blog · IlliniGuys (independent) | 348 followers | 7 | 0 | rumor | TIPS · MOOD |
W Fighting Illini Athleticsofficial YouTube · Illinois Athletics——mood— | W Fighting Illini AthleticsYouTube · Illinois Athletics | — | — | — | official | TIPS |
RSS Illini Boardrumor Team blog · Illini Board (independent)——mood— | RSS Illini BoardTeam blog · Illini Board (independent) | — | — | — | rumor | TIPS |
B Illinois Football Focusrumor Fan account · Bluesky1.5k followers—mood— | B Illinois Football FocusFan account · Bluesky | 1.5k followers | — | — | rumor | TIPS · MOOD |
W The Champaign Roomrumor Team blog · SB Nation——mood— | W The Champaign RoomTeam blog · SB Nation | — | — | — | rumor | TIPS |