Illinois previews 2026 football opponents and their strengths
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 20, 2026, 2:02 PM
Last updated Aug 20, 2026
As Illinois prepares for its 2026 football season, attention shifts to 12 upcoming opponents. Among these teams, UAB enters under new leadership, aiming to improve after a rocky period. Duke, fresh off their 2025 ACC Championship, welcomes quarterback Walker Eget to maintain their offensive momentum. Southern Illinois has quarterback DJ Williams returning, alongside a strong offensive line, while Ohio State looks formidable with returning Heisman finalist Julian Sayin and a robust supporting cast. These matchups promise competitive challenges for the Illini throughout the season.
- •UAB hires Alex Mortensen as Interim Head Coach after a challenging season.
- •Duke replaces Darian Mensah with Walker Eget, a strong passing option.
- •Southern Illinois brings back key players, including DJ Williams at quarterback.
- •Ohio State returns Heisman finalist Julian Sayin and key offensive contributors.
- •Illinois faces a potentially challenging schedule with these formidable teams.
- 2:02 PMYahoo Sports — Let’s get on the hype train for…Illinois’ opponents?
"What the 12 teams the Illini will face in the 2026 regular season have to be optimistic about.
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