Nine wins again? Looks like a possibility

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Jan. 28—CHAMPAIGN — Let the hotel reservations begin. And the flight bookings. And the direction checking.

On Tuesday, the Big Ten finally told its schools when they will play football in 2026, setting off a long day on the computer for fans and media members.

Everyone knew the conference opponents before Tuesday, but didn't have the particulars. Now, they do.

At first glance, the matchups are favorable for Bret Bielema's Illinois football team. Following 10- and nine-win seasons, Illinois is looking for a third consecutive bowl bid in 2026.

Will it happen?

My guess — at least today — is yes. I've got the team finishing 9-3 in 2026, with losses to Ohio State, Oregon and Iowa.

The key for Illinois will be a string of what look like toss-up games or better against Maryland, Michigan State, Purdue and Nebraska.

I'm projecting another 3-0 start in the nonconference for Illinois and a loss in the league opener against to the Buckeyes at the Horseshoe in Columbus, Ohio.

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Sept. 5 vs. UAB

First-ever meeting between the programs will mark the debut of Katin Houser as Luke Altmyer's replacement. If Houser plays like he did at East Carolina, Barry Lunney Jr.'s offense will be buzzing.

Sept. 12 vs. Duke

Illinois got a huge break when star quarterback Darian Mensah decided to enter the transfer portal. Though he wasn't at his best in a home loss to Illinois, he finished the season with 34 touchdown passes while leading Duke to the ACC title. The hope at Miami, where Mensah is expected to transfer with his legal fight now settled, is he will do the same in 2026 for the Hurricanes. No matter whom Duke coach Manny Diaz starts at quarterback in Champaign-Urbana, the player won't be as good as Mensah.

Sept. 19 vs. Southern Illinois

Illinois has never lost to an FCS school and won't start this season against the Salukis. But Southern Illinois did have one monster moment in 2025, clocking eventual FCS runner-up Illinois State, 35-7 … at Normal.

Sept. 26 at Ohio State

The Buckeyes will enter the season ranked among the Top 5 in the AP poll. Probably better to catch Julian Sayin, Bo Jackson and Jeremiah Smith before they get on a roll. And before Ryan Day has a chance to rebuild a defense hit hard by departures to the NFL. It will have been 19 years since Juice Williams led Ron Zook's team to an upset of No. 1 Ohio State in the Horseshoe. I promise to bring it up a few times between now and then.

Oct. 3 vs. Purdue

Barry Odom is going to fix the Boilermakers, but it is going to take more than one season. The Cannon (I really wish it was full-sized) is getting very comfortable in the Illinois trophy case. Maybe Bielema can talk Keaton Wagler into making an appearance just to send Purdue fans into a panic. Let him try a field goal … from long range.

Oct. 10 at Michigan State

Hey, the guy on the other sideline looks familiar. Didn't you used to coach the School up North? Pat Fitzgerald's return to the Big Ten figures to be interesting. For some reason, Illinois often plays well at East Lansing. My guess is this will be another one of those times.

Oct. 24 vs. Oregon

The good break with Mensah leaving Duke went the other way for Illinois when it came to the Ducks. After being considered a likely early draft pick, Oregon quarterback Dante Moore listened to sound advice to spend another year in college and returned to Eugene. Oregon reached the College Football Playoff semifinal before getting run off the field by eventual national champion Indiana. This will be Oregon's first trip to C-U since a 13-7 win against Dana Howard, Simeon Rice, Kevin Hardy and friends in 1993.

Oct. 31 at Maryland

Last time Bielema took his team to College Park, it snuck out of town with a 27-24 victory in 2023. Mike Locksley's team is coming off a rough 2025 season but welcomes back star quarterback Malik Washington.

Nov. 7 vs. Nebraska

Not a great offseason for Nebraska, which lost one-time savior Dylan Raiola to the transfer portal and ultimately Oregon. The Cornhuskers weren't the same in 2025 after the quarterback suffered a broken leg in a close loss to Southern California. Oddly, folks in Lincoln are now concentrating on basketball.

Nov. 14 at UCLA

Hopefully by mid-November, the venue will have been decided. Forever, UCLA has been playing its home games at the Rose Bowl. But the school wants out of the deal, so it can play at SoFi Stadium. New coach Bob Chesney could turn the Bruins in a hurry. He did great work at James Madison. And he has former Tennessee standout Nico Iamaleava returning at quarterback.

Nov. 21 vs. Iowa

As long as Kirk Ferentz is running the show in the I.C., the Hawkeyes will be competitive. Iowa has to replace starting quarterback Mark Gronowski with Wake Forest transfer Jeremy Hecklinski the most likely candidate. The offensive line brings back four starters and Kaden Wetjen is one of the most explosive players in the Big Ten.

Nov. 28 at Northwestern

It will be the first look for Illinois at swanky, rebuilt Ryan Field. The new place will seat 35,000, about 10,000 fewer than the former facility. Not exactly sure why the folks in Evanston didn't put a dome on the place. Oh well. Just good the school decided to fix it up.

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