Big Ten Football: Picking the best season for each program since 2000
By Shane Lunnen
2001. Record: 10-2. player. 807. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Illinois Fighting Illini. 1
With not many good teams to choose from, the best Illinois team of this century was the first one of this century. The 2001 season is the last time the Illini won the Big Ten title.
Led by quarterback Kurk Kittner, the Illini were an offensively explosive team. Surrounded by running back Walter Young and wide receivers Brandon Lloyd, Greg Lewis and Aaron Moorehead, Kittner and the Illini accumulated 5,041 yards of total offense and averaged 32.5 points per game, both school records at the time.
The Illini kicked off the season with non-conference wins at California, at home against Northern Illinois and a 25th ranked Louisville. The win over the Cardinals gave the Illini a No. 22 ranking before their trip to face 17th ranked Michigan. The Illini would suffer their first loss of the season in Ann Arbor, but it would be their last of the regular season.
Illinois would win the next seven games straight. The streak was highlighted by wins at 20th ranked Purdue, a come from behind late victory over Penn State and a win in Columbus over 25th ranked Ohio State.
Illinois would finish 7-1 in conference and outright Big Ten champions. With the Rose Bowl hosting the BCS National Championship, seventh-ranked Illinois was invited to the Sugar Bowl to face No. 12 LSU. Despite a 47-34 loss to the Tigers, Illinois would finish ranked 12th in the polls.
A Big Ten title and 10-win season is still fondly remembered by Illinois fans.