Illinois football ranks games on 2026 schedule, with Oregon matchup highlighted
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 4, 2026, 11:00 AM
Last updated Aug 4, 2026
Illinois football is set to kick off its 2026 season with a Thursday night game against UAB at Gies Memorial Stadium. The schedule features a challenging lineup, including key matchups against Oregon, the preseason No. 2 team, and Ohio State, ranked No. 1. Illinois aims to improve on their previous meeting with Oregon, which ended in a 38-9 defeat. Rivalry games against Iowa and Northwestern also stand out as pivotal for the Illini’s aspirations. The team hopes to maintain a winning record as they navigate their 12-game slate.
- •Illinois opens the season on a Thursday night against UAB.
- •Oregon and Ohio State are top challenges, ranked No. 2 and No. 1, respectively.
- •Rivalry games against Iowa and Northwestern are crucial for Illinois.
- •Illinois aims for a strong season following a recent winning trend.
- •The schedule includes significant games at home and on the road.
- 11:00 AMYahoo Sports — Ranking every Illinois Football game on the 2026 schedule
"A few of the games could take the top spot.
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