What bowl game will Illinois play in? 12 predictions for Fighting Illini

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CHAMPAIGN — Illinois football is headed into back-to-back bowl games for the first time since 2011, but who will the Illini play come late December?

The Illini (8-4) have losses to Ohio State, Indiana, Washington and Wisconsin — but closed the regular season with a victory over rival Northwestern. Experts have yet to come to a consensus on the Illini. Some have them facing off against an SEC team in either the Music City or ReliaQuest bowl, while others have them headed out to Vegas against an old Pac 12 opponent, or at the Pinstripe Bowl against the ACC.

Speculation will end this weekend, when the final bowl game schedule is announced Sunday, Dec. 7.

Here is where 12 of the top college football experts have coach Bret Bielema and the Illini playing in the postseason.

2025 Illinoisfootball bowl projections after Week 14

• Pinstripe Bowl: vs. Clemson, Dec. 27 | Athlon Sports
• Music City Bowl: vs. Missouri, Dec,. 30 | USA Today
• Music City Bowl: vs. Pittsburgh, Dec. 30 | Sporting News
• Music City Bowl: vs. LSU, Dec. 30 | Pro Football Network
• Music City Bowl: vs. Tennessee, Dec. 30 | The Athletic
• Las Vegas Bowl: vs. Utah, Dec. 31 | ESPN (Mark Schlabach)
• Las Vegas Bowl: vs. Utah, Dec. 31 | College Football News
• Las Vegas Bowl: vs. Arizona, Dec. 31 | Sports Illustrated
• ReliaQuest Bowl: vs. Texas, Dec. 31 | Projection Sports
• ReliaQuest Bowl: vs. Tennessee, Dec. 31 | CBS Sports
• ReliaQuest Bowl: vs. Vanderbilt Dec. 31 | ESPN (Kyle Bonagura)
• ReliaQuest Bowl: vs. Vanderbilt, Dec. 31 | On3Sports

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: What bowl game will Illinois make? Predictions, projections, matchups

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