John Balas

Co-host of @TheFieldPass | #LetLukeRun

[John Balas @AyBayBalas]

@thatsneatdude It’s hard to contain the excitement of this portal class at the top end. Davis, Brooks, and Zakhari are nice nice. Addressing premium positions that are positions of need with those pieces is massive to 2024’s success. Figure out RT & the DL and let’s go get 9 wins 👀

[The Field Pass @TheFieldPass]

TFP 6.9 - Rutgers Preview

The home stretch is upon us, and the boys break down what will hopefully be the start of a season-ending crescendo.

🎙️Apple: https://t.co/8fanVemL9a
🎙️Spotify: https://t.co/OcLa6reJv8
🎥YouTube: https://t.co/Q1jyaWyhHq

[The Field Pass @TheFieldPass]

TFP 6.8 - Washington Preview

It’s been over a decade since the Illini have traveled to Seattle, and after bye week #1 we look at the tone setter for the rest of the year.

🎙️Apple: https://t.co/8fanVemdjC
🎙️Spotify: https://t.co/OcLa6rebFA
🎥YouTube: https://t.co/baGJaJGVV1

[The Field Pass @TheFieldPass]

TFP 6.4 - Indiana Preview

@ALionEye joins us to preview this week's matchup with the Hoosiers and hash out his celebration plans if the Illini can pull off the upset.

🎙️Apple: https://t.co/2KZYMCVz96
🎙️Spotify: https://t.co/e4Mb19w2De
🎥YouTube: https://t.co/IxHVx5LnXg

[The Field Pass @TheFieldPass]

TFP 6.3 - Robert Rosenthal + WMU Preview

@ALionEye joins us to discuss Larry Gies’ historic $100 million gift, future stadium renovations, early season impressions, and more.

🎙️Apple: https://t.co/2KZYMCVz96
🎙️Spotify: https://t.co/e4Mb19w2De
🎥YouTube: https://t.co/AliqH0sqNA

[John Balas @AyBayBalas]

@thatsneatdude Everyone knows that’s the list of CFB blue bloods as well as the AP top 10

[John Balas @AyBayBalas]

Folks, TFP video content is back.

[The Field Pass @TheFieldPass]

TFP 6.2 - Duke Preview

The #11 Illini head to Durham for their first road test of the season. We've got the full preview...matchups, storylines, and our predictions.

Apple: https://t.co/2KZYMCVz96
Spotify: https://t.co/e4Mb19w2De
YouTube: https://t.co/K41fJ7I1cJ

[The Field Pass @TheFieldPass]

TFP 6.2 - Duke Preview

The #11 Illini head to Durham for their first road test of the season. We've got the full preview...matchups, storylines, and our predictions.

Apple: https://t.co/2KZYMCVz96
Spotify: https://t.co/e4Mb19w2De
YouTube: https://t.co/K41fJ7I1cJ

[John Balas @AyBayBalas]

@BobZuppke Shout it from the rooftops

[John Balas @AyBayBalas]

Year 6.

Come along for the ride. Let’s have ourselves a season.

[The Field Pass @TheFieldPass]

TFP 6.1 – 2025 Season Preview

Expectations are sky-high for your preseason #12 Fighting Illini. We break down the roster, walk through the full schedule, and share our predictions for the season ahead.

Full Episode
Apple: https://t.co/2KZYMCVz96
Spotify: https://t.co/e4Mb19w2De

[The Field Pass @TheFieldPass]

TFP 6.1 – 2025 Season Preview

Expectations are sky-high for your preseason #12 Fighting Illini. We break down the roster, walk through the full schedule, and share our predictions for the season ahead.

Full Episode
Apple: https://t.co/2KZYMCVz96
Spotify: https://t.co/e4Mb19w2De

[John Balas @AyBayBalas]

@BobZuppke DL:
- James Thompson is the best DL since Johnny/Keith
- Jamo consistently outperforms expectations

Edge:
- A potential All American solves a lot
- Enough flashes from rotation guys last year to ascend if the transfers are whiffs

ILB:
- Enough experienced bodies to rotate

[The Field Pass @TheFieldPass]

#1 - Pat Bryant. Hero.

[The Field Pass @TheFieldPass]

The 10 Best Plays of the 2024 Illini Football Season

A Thread 🧵:

[John Balas @AyBayBalas]

@BobZuppke I think Brad is doing this specifically to mess with you

[John Balas @AyBayBalas]

@BobZuppke Illinois is also undefeated vs the SEC in the last 2 years 🤷‍♂️

[John Balas @AyBayBalas]

@thatsneatdude And the slides vs shoes thing makes me think they’re both 6’9

[John Balas @AyBayBalas]

@thatsneatdude Oh wait you’re 5 that’s right. Zac, I want you to be as excited as you’ve ever been. I don’t know if we know how to believe in an Illinois football team going into the offseason, but talk as much shit as possible and be so wildly arrogant, because these are the best times ever.

[John Balas @AyBayBalas]

@thatsneatdude It’s still gonna be a season of toss-ups in 2025 just based on play style, but returning as many starters as we do it’s hard not to get excited about being ranked in the top-15 to start next year (I think we should be). CFP is definitely in play with the shift in power

[Zac @thatsneatdude]

So @AyBayBalas explain this football offseason to me like in 5. Are we going to the CFP?