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Sep 12, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Katin Houser (4) before a game with the Duke Blue Devils at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Katin Houser has experience under bright lights, but his track record isn't the most glamorous. Will that change against Ohio State?

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Katin Houser has experience under bright lights, but his track record isn't the most glamorous. Will that change against Ohio State?

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Sep 12, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema before a game with the Duke Blue Devils at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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The Illini don't have many advantages over the Buckeyes on the field, but an unexpected one could represent a pathway to a massive upset

Sep 12, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema during the first half at against the Duke Blue Devils at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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These key statistical categories – and each team's ability to optimize them – may determine the final outcome of Illinois-Ohio State

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Bielema discussed his club's unique preparation for the OSU environment, his quarterback's experience playing in Columbus and more

Sep 19, 2026; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) celebrates with fans after the game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

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Illinois opens Big Ten play on the road with its toughest test yet, traveling to Columbus for a matchup with a dangerous Buckeyes squad

Dec 30, 2025; Nashville, TN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema calls time out against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

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The Illini surprisingly soared up the SP+ after beating Southern Illinois, but the same metric doesn't predict a welcome outcome for Week 4

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The Illini's performance against the Salukis was encouraging in a variety of ways – especially heading into a massive Week 4 test

Sep 16, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) runs against Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Mason Muragin (18) during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

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Muragin, who already has emerged as one of Illinois’ biggest defensive surprises, will have a chance to carve out a meaningful role the rest of the way

Sep 19, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois fighting Illini cheerleaders during the first half against the Southern Illinois Salukis at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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After a relatively rough first two weeks to the season, the Illini came down hard on the Salukis, finally giving fans something to praise

Sep 19, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Hudson Clement (13) poses after getting first down during the second half against the Southern Illinois Salukis at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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The Illini bounced back in Week 3 against the Salukis, but even among the many positives were a handful of concerns as they enter the Big Ten schedule

Sep 6, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils cornerback Kimari Robinson (5) is tackled by Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Jojo Hayden (30), linebacker Kenenna Odeluga (39), linebacker Ismael Kante (26) and defensive lineman Gentle Hunt (92) during the fourth quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

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Kante has stepped into a starting role in 2026 and is already showing his playmaking ability in the heart of the Illini defense

Nov 1, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker James Kreutz (41) sacks Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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Kreutz has stepped into a larger role at linebacker this season and is already making his presence felt in the Illini defense

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The Illini landed a high-level gunslinger in Herrick, who could develop into the program's quarterback of the future

Nov 1, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema before an NCAA game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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There are swirling questions on both sides of the ball for the Illini, including three we consider critical in Week 3

Sep 3, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema during the second half against the UAB Blazers at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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Flailing and falling to Duke fell short of the Illini standard under Bret Bielema – but let's remember who set it

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Guard TJ McMillen will miss the remainder of the 2026 season because of a foot fracture, which compromises the Illini in several ways

Sep 12, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Katin Houser (4) walks off the field during the second half against the Duke Blue Devils at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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The Illini have clearly taken a step in the wrong direction in 2026, but does ESPN's FPI believe it can turn things around?

Sep 12, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema walks off the field after a 31-27 loss to the Duke Blue Devils at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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Bielema has brought Illinois football a long way, but the Illini still can't seem to take the final step toward becoming a true contender

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Bielema shouldered the blame for many of Illinois' Week 2 disappointments, offered injury updates and gave his take on Katin Houser's afternoon

Sep 12, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Duke Blue Devils running back Nate Sheppard (20) scores a touchdown during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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The Illini suffered their first defeat of the 2026 season in disappointing fashion, and as usual social media had plenty to say about it

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The Illini offense may not be as potent as expected, and the primary defensive woe is as bad as we thought (if not worse)

Aug 22, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Gabe Jacas (50) in the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Edward Finan-Imagn Images

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Big NFL performances from alums such as Jacas can help the Illini keep building – but they alone won't create a powerhouse

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SP+ is yet another metric that isn't exactly loving the Illini – but does it like them to get by the Blue Devils in Week 2?

Sep 3, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Katin Houser (4) scores a touchdown during the second half against the UAB Blazers at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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Despite beating UAB by 19 points last week, Illinois is still unranked – but would a big win over Duke change that?

Nov 1, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema on the sidelines during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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Bielema shrugged off the Illini's Week 1 tackling problem, saying it will be corrected with more in-game action