Illinois football — ranked No. 12 in all the land?
Sts. Halas, Grange and Butkus, can this be real?
In this week’s “Polling Place,” your home for Sun-Times sports polls on the social platform X, we wanted to know where voters came down on the Illini’s lofty perch in the preseason Top 25. Too high? Too low? Just right?
“I hope they don’t get a nosebleed from climbing so high,” @JeffreyCanalia commented.
But @Mattysports1963 dismissed the topic, writing, “Ranking means nothing.”
Next, we asked if college football Saturdays top NFL Sundays, or vice versa.
“Can’t beat Sundays with a beer in hand in front of the TV,” @ronw_sportsnut offered.
“Nothing beats football Sunday!” @RonaldVoigt4 chimed in.
Last, we asked if the White Sox finishing strong and avoiding another 100-loss season would even matter to you.
“Anyone rooting for them to win games isn’t paying attention,” @dan_starzec commented. “Get the bigger draft pool and better picks.”
“The only thing that matters is making the playoffs,” @RiisPark99 wrote. “Participation medals don’t count.”
On to the polls:
Poll No. 1: College football is here. What do you make of Illinois’ No. 12 ranking?
It’s time for this week’s “Polling Place.” Let us hear from you! Selected comments will appear in Sunday's paper.
Poll No. 1: College football is here. What do you make of Illinois’ No. 12 national ranking?
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) August 28, 2025
Upshot: The Illini won 10 games last season and carried the most returning starters into this season of any team in the Big Ten. That, friends, is a mighty good combination. A strong September would set this team up to remain in the Top 25 from wire to wire.
Poll No. 2: College football Saturdays vs. NFL Sundays — which wins in your book?
Poll No. 2: College football Saturdays vs. NFL Sundays — which wins in your book?
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) August 28, 2025
Upshot: We love our gridiron mercenaries, our soldiers of fortune, our professional warriors who put it all on the line for the highest bidder. But enough about college players …
Poll No. 3: With a decent finish, the White Sox have a chance to avoid a third straight 100-loss season. How much would that matter?
Poll No. 3: With a decent finish, the White Sox have a chance to avoid a third straight 100-loss season. How much would that matter?
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) August 28, 2025
Upshot: Any way you slice it, the Sox will finish with well under 121 losses, their record total from last year. So they’ve got that going for them.