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Nov 6, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Katin Houser (4) looks to pass during the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

The Illini, surprisingly, cruised to their fourth win in a row behind their stud connection and a bend-but-don't-break defense

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The Illini, surprisingly, cruised to their fourth win in a row behind their stud connection and a bend-but-don't-break defense

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Nov 6, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Katin Houser (4) passes during the first half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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The Illini, left for dead a couple of weeks ago, have reeled off four straight wins, and social media had plenty to say about it.

Oct 3, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema before a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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Bielema is impressed with the Cornhuskers' defense and says everything on offense circles back to quarterback Anthony Colandrea for Nebraska

Illinois’ Katin Houser throws a pass against Michigan State during the first quarter on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.

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The Friday night clash between the Illini and the Cornhuskers will come down to three things

Oct 31, 2026; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Javari Barnett (24) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

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After three straight wins for the Illini and three losses in a row for the Cornhuskers, do both streaks continue or get snapped?

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The Illini are winners of three in a row and the Cornhuskers are riding a three-game skid, yet ESPN's FPI seems to disregard the momentum of each

Oct 31, 2026; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Jacory Barney Jr. (2) catches a pass against the Washington Huskies during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

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The Illini, seemingly against all odds, are aiming to become bowl-eligible on Friday against a reeling Cornhuskers squad

Oct 31, 2026; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini kicker Ethan Moczulski (37) celebrates with Illinois Fighting Illini punter Lars Rau (81) after hitting the game-winning field goal during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

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It wasn't pretty, but the Illini fought hard and were able to pick up a much-needed win – which led to the usual jpy and snark on social media

Oct 24, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema during the second half against the Oregon Ducks at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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The Illini are now winners of three in a row, their most recent victory thanks to strong quarterback play and timely plays in all three phases

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The Illini will be aiming to continue their mini winning streak on the road in College Park, Maryland, on Halloween

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Despite losing two players for the season, Bielema says Illinois is "getting a little bit healthier" ahead of the Maryland game

Oct 24, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini offensive lineman Nathan Knapik (71) lifts Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Collin Dixon (17) after Dixon scored a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the second half at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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The Illini pulled off a stunning upset over the Ducks behind a true freshman quarterback, and social media erupted in the aftermath

Illinois’ Aidan Laughery runs for a touchdown after a catch against Michigan State during the first quarter on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.

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The Illini didn't have much to hang their hats on before Saturday, but (shockingly) they may be in the midst of building a defensive identity

Oct 24, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Ismael Kante (26) celebrates the 21-10 win over the Oregon Ducks at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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More adversity surely awaits the Illini, but a win Saturday changed the trajectory of what had been shaping up as a lost 2026 season

Oregon quarterback Dylan Raiola throws a pass during warmups as the Oregon Ducks host the UCLA Bruins on Oct. 10, 2026, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

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The Illini face the Ducks on Saturday, and we predict some chaos across the board - especially at quarterback

Oct 26, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning and Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema meet after a game at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

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It has been more than 50 years since Illinois beat Oregon. Can the Illini end that drought on Saturday?

Sep 26, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) throws a pass against the USC Trojans during the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

The Illini may finally see the healthy return of a key player, while the Ducks got stuck with more bad news

Oct 26, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema, left, and Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning talk before a game at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

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ESPN's Football Power Index projects Illinois-Oregon to be more competitive than most expect, but the Illini are still a long shot

Oct 17, 2026; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dylan Raiola (8) celebrates after completing a touchdown pass and two point conversion against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

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After a much-needed bye week, the Illini return to action against a talented-but-teetering Duck squad

Illinois quarterback Michael Clayton II (7) readies to throw a pass against Michigan State in the Illini's 38-37 overtime win Saturday at East Lansing, Michigan.

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After a breakout performance against Michigan State, Clayton – a true freshman – may take over as Illinois' starting quarterback and never look back

Oct 10, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Javari Barnett (24) runs through a hole in the line against the Michigan State Spartans during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images

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After the Illini almost gave away a huge lead in East Lansing, an unlikely hero stepped up – and social media had plenty to say about it

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The Illini dipped back into the junior college ranks to bolster their offensive line, receiving a commitment from Maileoi

Michigan State quarterback Alessio Milivojevic (11) fires a pass during the second quarter of their game against Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.

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The Illini travel to East Lansing this weekend seeking to end their three-game skid and get the season back on track

Oct 3, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Purdue Boilermakers defensive end Trey Smith (23) hangs onto the jersey of Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Katin Houser (4) as he runs with the ball during the second half at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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The Illini got punked at home in a rivalry game, and social media did not hold back in its criticism

Oct 3, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Demetrius John (54) tries to get a hand on Purdue Boilermakers running back Fame Ijeboi (2) during the first half at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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Five games into the 2026 season, the Illini look like a listless, lost group with little hope of finding their way