The Drive on ESPN 93.5

Saturday night was a rough one for Illini football and fans. Is it time to push the panic button? J Leman says no way!

J breaks down Saturday night's loss, looks ahead to homecoming against USC, and reacts to Bret Bielema's press conference.

The great Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer is back with us! Kyle breaks down the men's basketball schedule and also talks Cubs postseason baseball.

Plus, we share YOUR score predictions for the Illini vs Indiana game and we give our Friday toasts!

Game Day is almost here and we're ready! Illinois vs Indiana kicks off tomorrow night in Bloomington on NBC. We're talking Nick Rodecap from The Hoosier Network about the IU perspective and breaking down the match-ups. 

Mike Schumann is the founder of The Daily Hoosier and has been covering Indiana football since 1995. He joins us to talk about Saturday's primetime game against the Illini.

Also, we need some money! Get those Etched in Stone bets for this weekend!

Breaking News: Xavier Scott is doubtful for Saturday night against Indiana. What will this mean for the Illini defense and how will they adjust? 

Also, the Illini Big Ten basketball schedule has been released. The Illini will take a trip to LA in February, and host Michigan on a Friday night. Get the details this hour!

Plus Ravi Lulla from HurrDat sports joins us to break down the weekend schedule of Big Ten Football.

The Wall Street Journal's senior sportswriter Rachel Bachman joins us to talk about her article on the Illini's Moms' Practice. It's a great a conversation!

Plus, Ben Johnson gets serious during today's Bears press conference. It's a full hour on The Drive!

WCIA 3's Tristan Thomas will be all over Central Illinois on Friday for "Friday Football Fever" and then head to Bloomington on Saturday for the Illini's showdown with the Hoosiers. But first, he joins us in-studio to preview all of this weekend's football action.

Plus, the Cubs have clinched a postseason birth. Are they peaking at the right time?

The Illini have a clean bill of health ahead of their game with Indiana on Saturday, but the same can't be said for The Drive. 

Plus, some nuggets on Illini basketball and the fellas have your chance to score tickets for the sold out homecoming game against USC.

Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti had his press conference today ahead of Saturday's game against the Illini. He seemed a little...tense.

Illini LG Josh Gesky talked with the media today too. He wants the Illini to start fast against the Hoosiers!

Plus, Jeremiah Cox talks expectations for the Cardinals in 2026 and the rest of this year.

The Bears were crushed by the Lions in Ben Johnson's return to Ford Field. Is the season over already? Kurtis and Evan debate what's next as the Bears get ready for the Cowboys on Sunday.

Plus, an Etched in Stone Recap and a Monday Night preview.

The great J Leman is in the studio for the first hour! We're discussing the Illini's dominant win over Western Michigan, and what to watch for against Indiana this weekend.

Plus, J's favorite sports movies. There's a bevy of them!

Patrick Sojka is the Senior Associate Athletics Director for the Illini and is behind your Gameday Experience. We talk about what fans can expect for this weekend and beyond.

Plus, a chat about the best & worst sports movies and our Friday Toasts!

The #9th ranked Fighting Illini take on Western Michigan tomorrow night and we're hyped! 

Plus, the Packers look like they're on another level after crushing the Commanders on Thursday Night Football.

And the great Bears play-by-play man Jeff Joniak calls the show!

Etched in Stone is back! Evan has 5 picks for you, plus a bonus bet for our social media followers.

Also, some Cardinals chatter and good news for the Bears before they play Detroit!

Our guy Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports calls in to talk B1G Ten Football. Ravi was one of the few analysts that had the Illini blowing out Duke last week. How does he feel things will go Saturday at Gies Memorial Stadium? Plus, we take a look at other games in the conference.

Also, Jared White from the Prairieland Counsil BSA is in-studio with details on Brad Underwood being recognized with the "Distinguished Citizen Award." Brad will be honored on Monday night at State Farm Center and you can be a part of it.

IlliniBoard.com publisher Robert Rosenthal joins us in-studio to talk about Illini Football history, his favorite memories, and what he expects for the rest of this season. It's a great conversation with one of the ultimate Illini fans!

We're a day removed from Larry Gies' $100 million donation. We chat more about fans' reactions. Also, Tristan Thomas from WCIA calls in with a preview of Friday Football Fever.

It's a big news day for Fighting Illini Athletics after the largest monetary donation in school history. Gies Memorial Stadium is now the home for Illini Football. The reactions from fans have been all over the spectrum and the conversation is great.

Plus, is it "same ol Bears" after dropping the Ben Johnson debut on Monday Night Football? We dive in!

The conversation about what the Gies donation means for Illinois athletics continues. The text lines were lit up!

Also, we dive into the recent history of Illinois vs Western Michigan.

And have you ever purchased some bootlegged merch of your favorite team? It turns out Illinois is the #1 state for the fake stuff.

The Bears take on the Vikings in Monday Night Football, but before kickoff Kevin Warren dropped a bomb.

The Bears President of Football Operations says the team is officially moving to Arlington Heights. It's The Drive!