Will Illinois Enter Ohio State Matchup Undefeated? CBS Sports Weighs In

The Illini may welcome the Buckeyes to Champaign with a 6-0 record, but first they must get through Duke, Indiana and USC

Nov 30, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Aidan Laughery (21) celebrates with quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) after scoring a touchdown against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images | Matt Marton-Imagn Images

For nearly 30 years, the Illinois-Ohio State matchup has been David vs. Goliath, with David (Illinois) often getting pummeled. Save for a memorable 2007 upset and a couple other rock-slinging wins. the the Buckeyes have defeated the Illini 17 times over that span.

This time around, the matchup could be a bit more like Godzilla vs. Kong, although the Buckeyes and Illini aren't quite evenly matched. Still, that October 11 date marks Illinois’ key hurdle heading into the 2025 season – though that doesn’t mean the Illini won’t be tested before.

On the road against a stingy Duke squad in Week 2 will be anything but a stroll in the park. At Indiana in Week 4 could be a barnburner. And a game against visiting USC (Week 5) has dangerous implications for the home team. So can the Illini make it to their Week 7 outing against OSU undefeated? Well, CBS Sports doesn’t think so.

Mark it, schedule it, book it.

The 2025 Illini Football schedule is here. #Illini // #HTTO // #famILLy pic.twitter.com/rbVbbohymu

— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) December 11, 2024

According to Brad Crawford, who just projected the first loss for each Big Ten team, he expects Illinois to fall on the road against its border-state rival Indiana. The Hoosiers are on the heels of a Cinderella campaign that saw them make a run to the College Football Playoff. With well-respected coach Curt Cignetti now in Year 2 in Bloomington, the expectation for many is that Indiana will prove that last year wasn’t an anomaly.

On the flip side, the Illini have the pieces – including fifth-year quarterback and Maxwell Award watch list honoree Luke Altmyer – to not just recreate but surpass last year’s 10-3 campaign. Regardless of the final outcome of Illinois-Indiana, Crawford recognizes it as a “vital” game for both clubs. And if the Illini manage to triumph – which he doesn’t expect – then he sees Bret Bielema’s squad potentially starting the season 6-0, before running into the freight train that is Ohio State.

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