The Drive on ESPN 93.5

12/18/25 Hour 1: Andy Villamarzo from Rivals talks IHSA Football Changes, Illini Headlines, Bears vs Packers injury updates, Kurtis' Curveballs

Andy Villamazaro is a national writer for RIVALS and covers high school sports. He wrote about the new changes to the IHSA Football Playoffs system and how it affects area schools. He joins us to further explain the changes, the pros and cons, and how it affects recruiting.

We also check the Illini Headlines, the Bears are down 2 big weapons against the Packers, and Kurtis is firing Curveballs.

12/17/25 Hour 2: Nathalie Jones of ABC-17 talks Braggin' Rights Game, NFL Playoff Picture, and Christmas Movie Draft Results

Nathalie Jones is an award-winning Sports Director for ABC-17 in Columbia, MO and covers the Mizzou Tigers. She joins the show this hour to talk about the Braggin' Rights Game.

This week's draft had more votes than any other so far! So who won our Christmas Movies Draft? 

Plus we take a look at the NFL Playoff picture and who could be on their way to the Super Bowl.

12/17/25 Hour 1: Dave Wischnowsky talks Illini football and basketball, Illini Headlines, Kurtis' Curveballs

Dave Wischnowsky returns to ESPN 93.5 to talk Illini athletics! Dave gives his thoughts on Luke Altmyer playing in the Music City Bowl, Illini basketball & the Braggin' Rights game against Mizzou, and much more! A must-listen conversation!

Plus we give you a check of today's Illini headlines, a recap of our Tuesday Draft, and Kurtis' Curveballs.

12/16/25 Hour 2: College Football Playoffs predictions, Tuesday Draft - Best Christmas Movies of All Time!

The College Football Playoffs start on Friday night and we make our predictions. Kurtis and Evan both have upsets in their brackets, but who wins the Natty?

Tuesday is Draft Day and we're celebrating the holiday season! We're drafting the Best Christmas Movies of All Time! Who won? Which movies did we miss? Vote on Twitter & Instagram @thedrive935, on the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page, or text your vote to 217-359-2255!

12/16/25 Hour 1: Luke Altmyer's decision to play in the Music City Bowl, IHSA votes Yes on Prop 19, College Football Playoff predictions, and Kurtis' Curveballs

Luke Altmyer met with the media and discussed his decision to play in the Music City Bowl. We react to Luke's comments and give you a check of today's Illini Headlines.

The IHSA voted "YES" on Propsal 19, which will expand the post season from 256 to 384 teams. The news has been met with mixed reactions. We explain the changes and give our reactions.

Plus, Evan and Kurtis go head-to-head with College Playoff Predictions! Who's winning the national championship?

12/15/25 Hour 2: Croatian forward Toni Bilić commits to Illinois; Reactions to Illini's loss to Nebraska; Bears dominate Browns, Our next draft, and Kurtis' Curveballs

Another Balkan is coming to town! Croatian Forward Toni Bilic has committed to Illinois and is eligible to play. What does the 6'9" 20-year-old bring to Brad Underwood's team? 

Also, reactions continue to pour in after the Illini's loss against Nebraska on Saturday. What's next for the Illini and what adjustments are in the immediate future?

The Chicago Bears destroyed the Cleveland Browns yesterday at Soldier Field. Our intern Cooper O'Kelly was there and enjoyed wind-chills of up to -20! 

Plus Philip Rivers almost wins, Bo Nix and the Broncos beat the Packers, we announce our next Tuesday Draft, and Kurtis heaves some Curveballs!

12/15/25 Hour 1: J Leman reacts to Luke Altmyer playing in Music City Bowl; comments on Brad Underwood calling out David Mirkovic

J Leman is back in studio for a full hour on The Drive! The conversation starts with football and moves to basketball.

We talk about the risk/reward of Luke Altmyer playing in the Music City Bowl. Plus, JC Davis and Gabe Jacas are sitting out of the game. The Tennessee Vols are currently sitting at 3 point favorites. 

Plus, J gives his thoughts on Brad Underwood calling out David Mirkovic's poor practices ahead of the game against Nebraska. This caused the text lines to BLOW up! 

12/12/25 Hour 2: BREAKING Luke Altmyer is playing in the Music City Bowl; Carson Gourdie from WICS-TV reacts to the Altmyer news, Previews Illini vs Nebraska; Score Predictions and Friday Toasts

BREAKING Illini news - Luke Altmyer WILL play in the Music City Bowl. We react to the news and what it means for Illinois vs Tennessee.

Carson Gourdie covers the Illini for WICS-TV. We get his reaction to the Altmyer news and his thoughts on Illinois basketball's game against Nebraska.

Plus score predictions for Illinois vs Nebraska and our Friday Toasts!

12/12/25 Hour 1: Gabe Jacas Declares for the NFL Draft, Out of Music City Bowl; Brad Underwood Press Conference; Latest on Sherrone Moore; Kurtis' Curveballs

Illini football's Gabe Jacas has officially declared for the NFL Draft and will not play in the Music City Bowl. We look back on Gabe's career at Illinois and look at potential fits at the NFL level.

Brad Underwood met with the media ahead of tomorrow's game against #23 Nebraska at State Farm Center. We have the full press conference this hour.

The Sherrone Moore-Michigan story has another twist. We have the latest news and what's next for the Wolverines.

And Kurtis throws them Curveballs!

12/11/25 Hour 2: Illini vs Cornhuskers w/ Cooper O'Kelly of The Champaign Room; More Bears vs Browns; Notre Dame in Time Out; Philip Rivers starting for Colts

Cooper O'Kelly covers the Illini for The Champaign Room and has joined The Drive in an intern role. We dive into the numbers ahead of Saturday's game.

Plus more on the conditions at Soldier Field this Sunday, the coldest games YOU have ever attended, Notre Dame upsets the rest of college football, and Philip Rivers is in line to START for the Colts!

12/11/25 Hour 1: The latest on Sherrone Moore's firing; Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports talks Illini vs Nebraska; -20 Wind Chills for Bears vs Browns; Coldest game you've ever attended

We have the latest on Sherrone Moore's firing at Michingan, the future of the program, potential coaching replacements, what the university knew, and much more. 

Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports calls in to talk about Saturday's game between the Illini and Cornhuskers. What will be the biggest challenge for Illinois?

And we found out Cooper O'Kelly is going to the Bears game on Sunday. The wind chill will be -20! What's the coldest game you ever attended?

12/10/25 Hour 2: Illini Wrestling's Lucas Byrd; More on Sherrone Moore's Firing; Best Board Games Draft Results

NCAA National Champion Lucas Byrd joins us this hour to talk the 2025-2026 Wrestling Season, his career, and much more. 

More reactions to Michigan's firing of Sherrone Moore "for cause." More details emerge this hour.

The votes have been tallied and we have a winner in our Best Board Games Draft! Who got your vote?

12/10/25 Hour 1: Illini Basketball Beat OSU; Isaac Trotter talks Illini & College hoops; BREAKING Sherrone Moore OUT as Michigan Head Coach

The Illinois Men's basketball team went to Columbus last night and walked out with a W. We break down the game.

Also, Isaac Trotter from 247 Sports & CBS Sports joins us to discuss Keaton Wagler's performance, the state of Illini basketball, and Big Ten hoops.

And BREAKING NEWS! Sherrone Moore has been fired as Michigan's head coach after an internal investigation. 

12/09/25 Hour 2: Evan Stone's Deep Dive into the Illini's Opponents KenPom Rankings; Tuesday Draft - Best Board Games of All Time; Illini vs Buckeyes Predictions

Evan Stone said tonight's men's basketball game against OSU starts "a 10 game stretch in which the Illini should win every game." Need proof? He did a deep dive into the KenPom rankings for every Illinois opponent before meeting Purdue on January 24th.

It's Draft Day! The Drive does a draft every Tuesday and today's topic is The Best Board Games of All Time! Who won? Tell us on the socials @thedrive935 or text us at 217-359-2255.

And we give our final score predictions for tonight's game against Ohio State.

12/09/25 Hour 1: Illini vs Buckeyes Preview; Philip Rivers to the Colts; Oldest Pro Athletes; Tuesday Draft Announcement

The Illinois men's basketball team kicks off Big Ten play tonight in Columbus against The Buckeyes. We preview the game, break down the OSU roster, and more.

The Colts signed Philip Rivers to their practice squad today. It's been 5 years since Rivers threw in the NFL. Will he actually see the field? 

Speaking of which...Who are the oldest pro athletes of all time?

And it's Tuesday, so it's Draft Day! Today we're drafting The Best Board Games of All Time!

12/08/25 Hour 2: Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer and Adam Jardy from The Columbus Dispatch talk Illini vs Buckeyes; Bears vs Packers Recap

We switch gears this hour to Illini basketball.

Adam Jardy from the Columbus Dispatch covers Ohio State Buckeyes basketball. He gives us the OSU side of things before tomorrow night's game. How will guys like Bruce Thorton and Amare Bynum match up with Illinois? 

We also get "The Great" Kyle Tausk of Illini Inquirer's input. Kyle breaks down Illinois' win over Tennessee on Saturday, previews the OSU game, and tells us if he could take Jelly Roll in a fight.

And the Bears lose at Lambeau. What went right and what went wrong against the Packers?

12/08/25 Hour 1: The J Leman Hour gets HEATED over the College Football Playoffs! Plus, J talks Illini in the Music City Bowl.

It's J Leman vs Evan Stone with Kurtis Allen as the referee! 

Evan said the committee "got it right" with their playoff selections and J completely disagrees. We dive into the bracket and the debate is incredible. Which team does J think SHOULD NOT be in the playoffs? The answer might surprise you!

Plus, we take a look at the Illini vs the Vols in the Music City Bowl on October 30th. 

This is a MUST-LISTEN hour!

12/05/25 Hour 2: Colleen Kane from the Chicago Tribune discusses Illini vs Vols; Carson Gourdie from WICS-TV; Friday Toasts and Game Predictions

The Drive welcomes Colleen Kane from the Chicago Tribune to the show! Colleen covers the Illini and gives her thoughts ahead of the game with Tennessee.

Carson Gourdie from Fox Illinois and WICS-TV joins the fellas to talk Illini hoops. Carson gives his thoughts on Coach Underwood saying he'd love to play in Dubai, predictions for Saturday, and the latest injury news. Plus, Carson talks about Bret Bielema & Illini football's class of 2026.

And we've got our Friday toasts! Cheers! 

12/05/25 Hour 1: Brad Underwood's Pre-Game Press Conference (IL vs TN); Chris Kwiecinski from Fox32 talks Bears vs Packers; Ravi Lulla talks Big Ten Championship Game

Brad Underwood met with the media before the Music City Madness game against Tennessee. We've got the full press conference for you. 

Chris Kwiecinski from Fox32 Chicago joins the show with great insight ahead of Bears vs Packers. Rome Odunze is out, Christian Watson is in, and the Bears defense is getting healthy while the Packers have lost some key pieces. Who wins?

Our friend Ravi Lulla covers The Big Ten for Hurrdat Sports. He joins the show to talk about Matt Campbell to Penn State, and the B1G TEN Championship game between Ohio State & Indiana.

12/04/25 Hour 2: Robert Rosenthal talks Illini Football & Basketball; Ben McKee from GoVols247 talks Illini vs Vols basketball; Etched In Stone "Championship Weekend Edition"

Robert Rosenthal from IlliniBoard.com joins us to talk Illini Football recruitment class of 2026, the 2025 season, and Illini basketball ahead of the Music City Showdown against Tennessee.

We also get the Tennessee perspective from Ben McKee of GoVols247. Ben breaks down the Vols' loss to Syracuse and how it affects the game on Saturday. Plus Ben shares some fantastic personal news with The Drive!

And we need some money! Etched in Stone: Championship Weekend Edition. 

LET'S GO!