I learned that I guess the University of Illinois isn't that big a deal.
Entering off the interstate- there wasn't even a sign saying U of I- just xyz road. Thought maybe I had taken wrong turn because for much of the way the road to the University was just 1 lane each way- residential. Like I was going through someones back yard. At 9:45 there was no traffic.
No bars close to campus- tailgating was ok. I parked directly across the street from stadium, could have hit the stadium with a thrown rock. For $25, compared with my long walk to NU games, it was nice.
Fans were cool, no one passionate about Illinois football, just something to do for them. Beer lines were VERY SHORT, well set up, serve yourself type thing. Credit cards only. About 1% of fans wearing masks, which was great.
Got nice secondary market tickets for $40 on 40 yard line about 30 rows up. Good leg room, plenty of modern bathrooms ( no wwII era troughs), no seat backs.