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Rob Barnes earns recognition for predicting Illinois college football score

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 10, 2026, 2:48 PM

Last updated Sep 10, 2026

College Sports

Summary

Rob Barnes, a 1985 Illinois graduate, earned recognition as the weekly winner of a prognosticator contest for accurately predicting the Illinois score in a recent game. Barnes correctly identified the 42-point mark for Illinois and missed the UAB total by only two points. The participant has a long history with the university, having been a member of the Marching Illini and attending home games for 46 years. He typically watches games from the West Balcony at Memorial Stadium with a group of fellow band alumni. The contest offers a $50 gift card to participants who accurately predict scores for upcoming Illinois matchups. Fans interested in the challenge are encouraged to submit their predictions for the Illinois-Duke game via email before the weekend.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Rob Barnes correctly predicted the 42-point score for Illinois.
•The participant missed the UAB total score by two points.
•Barnes is a longtime season ticket holder and former Marching Illini member.
•Predictions are now open for the upcoming Illinois-Duke football game.
•Accurate score predictors receive a $50 gift card for Papa Del's.

Latest Updates

2:48 PMYahoo Sports — Can't Wait For Saturday And the winner is ... Geneva's Rob Barnes

What they're saying

"
Sep. 10—*** Tip of the cap to Barnes, this week's star prognosticator. He nailed the Illinois score on the button, 42. And he missed UAB's total 23 by two points. Barnes went with 21. So close to a perfect score and the Papa Del's gift card that goes with it. Barnes, a Class of 1985 Illinois graduate is a repeat winner and clearly good at this. I'm hoping he will send me his picks for the ...
— Yahoo Sports

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