Episode
06/18/26 Hour 2: Illinois Football 3-3-5 Defense Breakdown - Safeties & "Chief" Position, USA vs Australia World Cup Preview & Best Smells Draft Results
- Podcast
- The Drive on ESPN 93.5
- Published
- Jun 18, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3135
- Processing state
not_requested
Actions
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Summary
Hour 2 of The Drive featured a deep dive into Illinois football's evolving 3-3-5 defensive scheme, with a special focus on the safety positions and the versatile "Chief" role. The guys discussed how the position functions as a hybrid defender, blending responsibilities of a nickelback, linebacker, and safety while creating flexibility for defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck's aggressive approach. They also examined which current Illini players are best suited for the role and how the position could impact Illinois' defensive success in 2026. The show also previewed Team USA's critical FIFA World Cup matchup against Australia. Kurtis and Evan broke down the Americans' strong start to the tournament, key players to watch, and what a victory would mean for the United States' chances of advancing out of Group D. They also looked at Australia's strengths and potential challenges the USMNT could face heading into the highly anticipated match. Plus, the results are in from this week's Tuesday Draft as listeners crowned the winner of "Best Smells of All Time." From fresh-cut grass and bacon to movie theater popcorn and a new car interior, the guys reviewed the fan voting and debated which scents truly deserve championship status. Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and Facebook.