Football
Illinois Football Draws ACC Matchup in Latest Bowl Predictions
Week 8 bowl predictions from Brett McMurphy are here, and Illinois Football is projected to face a ACC Opponent.

Week 8 Bowl Prediction for Illinois Football
Illinois Football is now 5-1, despite playing one of their worst performances of the 2024 season at home vs. Purdue. Regardless of the sloppy fashion in which it happened, a win is a win. The Illini’s dicey victory jolted them to No. 22 in this week’s AP Top-25 poll, to which Illinois has impressively been a resident for a 5th consecutive week.
A new week following an Illini win, additionally means updated bowl predictions to check in on. Lucky for Illini fans, postseason talks have been well worth paying attention to, as the national media continues to take notice of the progressing Illini Football program.
This week’s bowl predictions have Illinois facing a somewhat familiar ACC opponent. According to Brett McMurphy of Action Network, Illinois Football is predicted to face the Virginia Cavaliers in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on January 3rd.
Â

Oct 12, 2024;Â Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Â
Notes on the Cavaliers
Â
Head Coach: Tony Elliott
Current Record: 4-2
ACC Ranking: 5th
Best Win: Boston College, 24-14 (Home)
Worst Loss: Maryland, 27-13 (Home)
Â
Throwback to 2022, when Illinois Football defeated Virginia 24-3 at home, in week 3 of the 2022 college football season. Chase Brown (Current Bengals RB) went off for 146 yards rushing on 20 carries, while (Current Giants) quarterback Tommy DeVito tallied up 196 yards, and 2 scores, going 17/25 vs Virginia. It was a big non-conference win for the Fighting Illini, which helped boost them to an 8-4 regular season under (at the time) 2nd-year head coach Bret Bielema.
Â
Thank you for reading Armchair Illini!
Armchair Illini is proudly sponsored by Uncle Fluffy’s Beard Company, the top specialty boutique for homemade beard balms and oils in the state of Illinois. Check out the vast selections of Organic products here to keep your facial hair healthy, tame, and smelling great.
For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher at alexkyi13@gmail.com. Please use our Seatgeek code for $20 off your purchase on Seatgeek.com: ARMCHAIRILLINOIS. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing Illinois media outlets around!
-
Basketball4 days ago
Illinois basketball vs Illinois State: TV Channel and Gameday guide
-
Basketball6 days ago
Why Illini freshman Keaton Wagler is ready to live up to the hype
-
Basketball1 day ago
Illini Freshman David Mirkovic turns heads with stellar exhibition performance
-
Basketball4 days ago
Top Shooting Guard Jasiah Jervis lists Illinois basketball in top-5
-
Basketball6 days ago
Illinois basketball ranked sixth in 2025 preseason KenPom rankings
-
Basketball4 days ago
Where does Illinois basketball sit in all rankings heading into 2025 season?
-
Basketball3 days ago
Why Illinois Basketball is a Top Offensive Team Entering 2025-26
-
Basketball3 days ago
Is Illinois Basketball a Final Four Contender in 2025-26?