How will Illinois fare in 2026?

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Sep. 2—Thursday's season opener against UAB marks the start of a 12-game slate for Illinois. An opportunity for the Illini to build off the success from the previous two seasons. Beat writer Scott Richey

goes through the schedule game-by-game to plot out a projected path to another bowl game:

Sept. 3 vs. UAB

The Blazers held on to Alex Mortensen after the former offensive coordinator was elevated to interim head coach during the 2025 season. As a long-term play, it makes sense. UAB was at its offensive best with Mortensen running the show. In the short term, however, the sheer number of newcomers on the Blazers' roster doesn't lend itself to high expectations for success this fall. Illinois 35, UAB 10.

Sept. 12 vs. Duke

Darian Mensah played one of the worst games of his career against Illinois last September in Durham, N.C., throwing one interception and fumbling twice (out of four total fumbles for Duke). So, count the Illini as disappointed as the Blue Devils that Mensah bailed for a bigger paycheck in Miami. Duke might have won the ACC last year, but don't count on a repeat with Walker Eget at quarterback. Illinois 24, Duke 13.

Sept. 19 vs. Southern Illinois

The Salukis have already dumped their Week 0 opener to West Florida, 34-31. If you've never heard of the Argonauts, that's because they just made the move from Division II to FCS. SIU starting quarterback DJ Williams left with an injury and backup Jake Curry threw three interceptions and was sacked three times. Don't expect the Saluks to fare any better in Champaign, as Illinois continues its trend of never losing to an FCS team. Illinois 48, SIU 14.

Sept. 26 at No. 1 Ohio State

Ohio State can lose seven defensive starters and four more on offense to the NFL and still wind up the preseason No. 1 team. Whether the Buckeyes still have that distinction come late September will be dependent on how they fare next week at Texas, but returning the best quarterback/wide receiver duo in the country in Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith doesn't hurt. Ohio State 48, Illinois 21.

Oct. 3 vs. Purdue

Barry Odom had to build his first Purdue team from scratch ahead of the 2025 season, with 83 total newcomers. The Boilermakers went 2-10 and then had more offseason roster churn necessitating more than 50 newcomers for 2026. That includes basically every receiver returning quarterback Ryan Browne will throw to and a pair of former Illini (Curt Neal and Jojo Hayden) on defense. Illinois 31, Purdue 14.

Oct. 10 at Michigan State

Illinois quarterback Katin Houser's return to East Lansing, Mich., comes two coaches removed from the staff he played for during his two seasons with the Spartans. The real question for Michigan State is if it got the version of Pat Fitzgerald that won two Big Ten West titles and four bowl games from 2016-20 or the version that saw the Wildcats go 4-20 in his final two years before being fired. Illinois 24, Michigan State 21.

Oct. 24 vs. No. 2 Oregon

The Ducks have actually made two previous trips to Champaign in the history of a series that now dips its toes into "Big Ten rival" territory. Illinois split those games in 1970 and 1993, with the former the only victory in the series for the Illini. The first Big Ten game between the two was a lopsided Oregon win in 2024, and the Ducks boast enough talent to do the same this fall. Oregon 42, Illinois 17.

Oct. 31 at Maryland

It's not a stretch to say Maryland coach Mike Locksley is coaching for his job this season in College Park, Md. The former Illinois offensive coordinator is 37-49 in his second stint as a head coach. This one has gone far better than the first — a true 21/2-year disaster at New Mexico — but he needs sophomore quarterback Malik Washington to turn into one of the Big Ten's best after consecutive 4-8 seasons. Maryland 28, Illinois 24.

Nov. 6 vs. Nebraska

Illinois has taken advantage of Nebraska's slide into obscurity with four wins in its last five games against the Cornhuskers. (Ignore, if you will, the fact the one loss came in a Friday night game in Champaign). Nebraska coach Matt Rhule's seat isn't all that hot, which illustrates how far the program has fallen that 19-19 in three years is OK. If Nebraska wins seven games again, it won't include the Illini. Illinois 21, Nebraska 13.

Nov. 13 at UCLA

Bob Chesney breathed new life into Holy Cross football and kept James Madison competitive after Curt Cignetti. Not to mention his success at Division III Salve Regina and Division II Assumption. The new UCLA coach has literally won at every level. The Bruins certainly need saving after the last two years, and a coach who's only had one losing season ever seems like the guy to do it. UCLA 24, Illinois 17.

Nov. 21 vs. No. 22 Iowa

If there's one Big Ten coach running his program like it's still 2006, it would be Kirk Ferentz. Iowa added a few transfers that should contribute, including wide receiver Tony Diaz, but the bulk of the players in the Hawkeyes' two-deep called Iowa City, Iowa, home in 2025. Continuity could continue to be a difference-maker for Iowa, which hasn't won fewer than six games since 2012. Iowa 13, Illinois 10.

Nov. 28 at Northwestern

Newly-renovated Ryan Field is a marvel. Consider it $875 million well spent by the Wildcats. Will that change the fact the 35,000 seats will hold more fans decked out in orange and blue than purple? Probably not. That's the ongoing status of the Illinois-Northwestern "rivalry." Illinois will have already clinched bowl status by the regular-season finale, so the only drama left is all Hat-centric. Illinois 35, Northwestern 21.

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