Illinois played USC in the 2008 Rose Bowl, but that selection was controversial, given that the Illini had lost multiple games that season and were not Big Ten champions. The Illini have not been consistently successful over the past 60 years of college football. In the early and middle periods of the 20th century, the Fighting Illini were much more prosperous, winning a few Rose Bowls in the 20 years after World War II and creating great programs under legendary coach Robert Zuppke in the first third of the 20th century.
In terms of an individual feat, the greatest moment belonging to Illinois football is Red Grange’s epic performance against Michigan in 1924. However, in terms of a team achievement which belongs more to the program than to one man, the greatest Illinois football moment was the completion of a perfect 1923 season with Grange leading the way. Illinois went 8-0, the Illini’s most recent perfect season. Illinois also went unbeaten and untied in 1914 and 1910, but 1923 was the most impressive perfecto of the three. The last time Illinois went unbeaten was in 1951, going 9-0-1, but one tie prevented the Illini from beig perfect.
It was a long time ago, but Illinois was a legitimate college football powerhouse in the first third of the 20th century. The 1923 and 1924 Illinois teams brought the Illini their greatest fame and their most pervasive level of national college football relevance.
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