Can't Wait For Saturday Work to do if Illinois wants to go bowling for the third year in a row
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Sep. 30—***
What has a 2-2 start meant for Illinois' bowl hopes in 2026? Nothing good.
The loss to Duke in a tossup game is actually a bigger deal than the expected fall at Ohio State. Even the most optimistic booster didn't imagine the team would win in Columbus for the first time in 19 years.
Suddenly, the many bowl projections being published and updated weekly don't have much room for 2-2 Illinois. Taken a step further, it means they don't expect Bret Bielema's team to reach the required six victories.
Because if the team is bowl eligible, there will be a spot for Illinois. Too many TV sets and smartphones in the state for Illinois to be passed over.
In a quick glance, the two bowls tied to Illinois this week were the very-yearly Frisco Football Classic in Texas on Dec. 15 and the Jan. 2 First Responder Bowl in Dallas. That game could feature Army as a a possible opponent. Illinois is 0-1 against the service academies in the postseason.
If it beats Purdue as expected on Saturday and wins at Michigan State the following weekend, interest in Illinois from the bowls will climb significantly.
The fact that the team still needs four wins makes bowl committees nervous. They want more of a sure thing. Stay tuned.
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