CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Expectations for the 2025 Illinois football season are high, and they got a boost after a big 52-3 win over Western Illinois on Friday.

The signs were already there. Coming off a 10-win season and a bowl game victory, season tickets sold out for the first time in 20 years, and student tickets also sold out. Two games — Western Michigan and Ohio State — are also sold out.

The team is ranked No. 12 in the country.

“To even be in the conversation is just amazing,” said lifetime Illini fan Eric Graue. “It’s beyond any of our wildest dreams from just a few years ago.”

“If there’s going to be a season to be excited for, this is it,” said fellow fan Scott Johnson.

The opening game of the season was not sold out, but Illinois Athletics still expected a big turnout. In the tailgating lots, there wasn’t an open space.

“We left this morning at 6 a.m., got here 6:30 or so,” Johnson said.

Graue got to the tailgating lot at 11 a.m.

“We weren’t sure how quick people would get here,” he said.

The season’s first kickoff meant that fans like Johnson and Graue got to break out their tailgating gear or unveil some upgraded tailgate vehicles. Graue bought a trailer, and Johnson spent 20 to 30 hours hand painting his trailer to include the 2025 schedule and a silhouette of the T-pose Bret Bielema performed during the Citrus Bowl.

Another fan, Jeff Kautz upgraded his tailgate with an ambulance.

Fans at the tailgate lots had consistently high expectations.

“If we can get 10 wins again, love it,” Graue said.

“I think we can have a 10-win regular season,” Johnson added.

Kautz is still aiming high, but not as high as the others.

“Expectations have gotten pretty high for a 10-win season,” he said “I’m going to say nine.”

The official attendance at Friday’s game was 56,040. That included 10,735 students.