League: NCAAF Sport: College Sports Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Illinois football aims for bowl eligibility after strong nonconference play

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 23, 2026, 2:47 PM

Last updated Sep 23, 2026

College Sports

Summary

Illinois football has concluded its nonconference schedule with notable victories against SEC opponents in the past two seasons. Under coach Bret Bielema, the team previously defeated South Carolina and Tennessee in postseason matchups. Currently, Illinois is projected to play in the Cactus Bowl against teams like West Virginia or TCU, or potentially face UCLA in the First Responder Bowl. Illinois needs four more wins to secure bowl eligibility, with upcoming games against Purdue, Michigan State, Northwestern, and Maryland seen as opportunities. The team faces tougher challenges against Ohio State, Oregon, UCLA, and Iowa in later matchups.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Illinois closed nonconference season with wins over SEC teams.
•Projected to play in the Cactus Bowl or First Responder Bowl.
•Needs four wins for bowl eligibility, with key upcoming games.
•Upcoming opponents include Purdue, Michigan State, and Northwestern.
•Tougher matches ahead against Ohio State and Oregon.

Latest Updates

2:47 PMYahoo Sports — Can't Wait For Saturday With noncon in the books, Illinois postseason outlook still sunny

What they're saying

"
Sep. 23—*** Two years in a row, the Illinois football team closed its season with a win against the big, bad SEC. Not too shabby for a team that had never knocked off the SEC in the postseason before Bret Bielena's team beat South Carolina at the Citrus Bowl following the 2024 season. Then came a Music City Bowl win against Tennessee. To be fair, there had been only four earlier opportunities ...
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

NCAAF College Sports