Illinois Football Bowl Predictions After Four Straight Victories

This Illinois Football team has completely changed the outlook of their season over the last month. After a frustrating 2-3 start, capped by a brutal loss to Purdue, the Fighting Illini have responded with 4 straight in-conference victories over Michigan State, Oregon, Maryland, and last week under the lights against Nebraska. Impressively, Friday night’s win over Matt Rhule’s Huskers officially secured bowl eligibility for Illinois for the 3rd consecutive season and the 4th time in Bret Bielema’s tenure since taking over the program back in 2021. 

However, despite getting that key 6th win for bowl eligibility, this team is aiming high.

At 6-3, Illinois still has 3 regular-season games remaining, beginning with a massive opportunity against No. 8 UCLA this Friday in Pasadena. The undefeated Bruins will arguably present the Illini’s toughest remaining test, but that final stretch also includes senior day against Iowa and a road trip to Northwestern. None will be easy, but Illinois has a real shot to keep up momentum and finish the regular season with an even bigger postseason opportunity.

If Bret Bielema’s team can keep this momentum rolling, Illinois could once again find itself playing in a high-profile bowl game in late December or even around New Year’s. That’s a pretty remarkable turnaround considering where this program stood just a few weeks ago.

The Illini have already checked the bowl eligibility box. Now, the question is how high they can climb.

Here’s where ESPN, CBS, and The Athletic currently project this Illinois team with momentum on their side.

ESPN Week 10 Bowl Projections

Frisco Football Classic: Illinois vs. Louisiana

Location: Frisco, Texas.

Projected by: Kyle Bonagura.

Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl: Illinois vs. Pittsburgh

Location: Yankee Stadium, New York.

Projected by: Mark Schlabach.

Read the full Week 11 Projections: ESPN’s Week 10 Bowl Projections.

CBS Sports Week 10 Bowl Projections

Music City Bowl: Illinois vs. Texas A&M

Location: Nashville, Tennessee.

Projected by: Brad Crawford.

Read the full Week 11 Projections: CBS Sports’ Week 10 Bowl Projections.

The Athletic Week 10 Bowl Projections

Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl: Illinois vs. Pittsburgh

Location: Yankee Stadium, New York.

Projected by: The Athletic.

Read the full Week 11 Projections: The Athletic College Football Coverage.

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