College football: Predictions, how to watch Illinois vs Michigan State

The University of Illinois football team needs a win. The first two tries in Big Ten Conference action have seen the Fighting Illini get blasted at Ohio State and upset at home by traditional doormat Purdue.

Now comes a trip to Michigan State.

The Spartans have lost three straight games. But then Purdue, last weekend, snapped a 19-game Big Ten losing streak at Illinois' expense, and did it with a defense ranked No. 136 in the nation.

So these two teams get together for a little shared misery in an attempt to regroup in Week 6. The Illini come in at 2-3 overall and 0-2 in the Big Ten. They head to East Lansing, Mich., to face a Michigan State team also 2-3, 0-2, and staging its homecoming weekend.

Neither team is ranked nor among others receiving votes in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll.

When is the Illinois vs Michigan State football game?

Illinois (2-3, 0-2) is on the road at Michigan State (2-3, 0-2) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Mich.

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What channel is the Illinois-Michigan State football game on?

The game is airing on FS1. Check your provider to see if the channel is carried. Streaming options include FUBO (free trial) and FOXSportsGo.

Who is the broadcast crew for Illinois at Michigan State?

Play-by-play: Jack Kizer.

Analyst: Mark Helfrich.

Big Ten injury report for Illinois at Michigan State football

The injury report for Week 6 Illinois at Michigan State in the Big Ten Conference, as of Wednesday night, Oct. 7, 2026.

What is the weather forecast for Illinois at Michigan State football?

For Saturday, Oct. 10, in East Lansing, Michigan: Temperature expected to be 78 at kickoff. Chance of rain 0%. Wind southerly 8-12 mph.

What to know about Illinois vs. Michigan State football

◾The Fighting Illini trail the all-time series with Michigan State, 27-20-2.

◾Illini head coach Bret Bielema makes his first trip to East Lansing with the Illini, who have not played at Michigan State since 2019.

◾Illini WR Collin Dixon is one of only three players in the nation to rank in the top 10 in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, along with Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith and Miami's Malachi Toney. Dixon is two touchdown receptions away from tying Illinois' single-season record of 10. He is fourth in the nation and third in the Big Ten in receptions (40); eighth in the nation and third in the Big Ten in receiving yards (546); 10th in the nation and third in the Big Ten in total touchdowns (8).

◾Illini WR Hudson Clement has caught a pass in 31 straight games, the fifth-longest active streak in the nation.

◾Illinois QB Katin Houser ranks 12th in the nation in ESPN's QBR metric (89.6)

◾Michigan State has lost three straight and out-scored 89-26 in that span.

◾The Spartans five opponents so far are a combined 21-5, the third-toughest schedule in the nation according to the NCAA.

◾Cam Edwards, Michigan State's leader in carries, rushing yards and touchdowns, was injured in WEEK 4 and is out for the season.

What Illinois coach Bret Bielema says about Michigan State game

What Michigan State coach Pat Fitzgerald says about Illinois game

Illinois vs. Michigan State predictions

Illinois 31, Michigan State 17: Both teams are at risk of letting their season get away from them as they cross paths in Week 6. The Illini are winless in the Big Ten and saw quarterback Katin Houser have just a so-so day in the surprise upset dealt to them at home by Purdue in Week 5. The Boilermakers snapped a 19-game conference losing streak at Illinois' expense. Now the Illini head to Michigan State with a chance to push the conference foe to a fourth straight loss. Michigan State offense is in a coma, producing one touchdown in the last two games and none in the last six quarters. Leading rusher Cam Edwards went out for the season at the outset of that offensive stretch. Michigan State has two starters on defense questionable and two backup corners out. Spartans opponents so far are a combined 21-5. — Dave Eminian

Illinois 35, Michigan State 28: The Fighting Illini look to turn it around this week, ending a two-game losing streak following last week's disappointing defeat to Purdue. Illinois looks to revive its offense, which has averaged 18.0 points a game in its last two outings. Illini QB Katin Houser was 21-for-37 passing both against the Boilermakers and Ohio State. WR Collin Dixon ranks in the top 10 in catches (40), yards (546) and touchdowns (eight). Michigan St. has lost three in a row, falling to Notre Dame, Nebraska and Wisconsin over the last three weeks. MSU has scored just nine total offensive TDs (six rushing, three passing) this season, putting up only 26 total points over the last three games. Current Spartans head coach Pat Fitzgerald, the former Northwestern head coach, has a career record of 11-6 against the Illini. — Adam Duvall

Illinois vs Michigan State odds

The betting lines for the Illinois-Michigan State game, as of Thursday morning, Oct. 8, 2026 Vegas Insider.

Point spread: Illinois by 2.5.

Over-under total: 48.5 points

Money line: Michigan State +115. Illinois -136.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: College football: Predictions, how to watch Illinois vs Michigan State

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