Two Games Illinois Football Must Win to make a 2024 Bowl Game

How Illinois Football Makes a Bowl Game In 2024

The Fighting Illini kick off on the gridiron in 86 days (8/29), and expectations from Bret Bielema are high. Certainly, fans would love to see Illinois Football in post-season play once again under Bielema, after an 8-5 season in 2022. After receiving a handful of commitments from quality transfer pickups, the buzz surrounding Illinois football seems promising.

According to Fan Duel Sportsbook, the Illini are predicted to be just short of a bowl game in 2024, with an over/under of 5.5 games for the 2024 season. Of course, another 5-7 record would be a tough pill to swallow, after doing so in 2023. Illinois has a tough history of following up (what seems like) big, stepping-stone seasons for the program. Not to mention, the season ended in an absolute gut-wrenching fashion against Northwestern.

What can the 2024 Illini do to secure 6+ wins for the program, in a massive year of college football transition?

The Schedule

VS Eastern Illinois – Aug 29th (Thursday) /  8 pm / Big Ten Network

VS Kansas – Sept 7th  /  6 pm / FOX Sports 1

Homecoming game vs Central Michigan  – Sept 14th  / 11 am / Peacock

AT Nebraska – Sept 20th  /  7 pm / FOX

AT Penn State – Sept 28th /  6:30 pm

BYE

VS Purdue – Oct 12th

VS Michigan – Oct 19th

AT Oregon – Oct 26th

VS Minnesota – Nov 2nd

BYE

VS Michigan State – Nov 16th

AT Rutgers – Nov 23rd

AT Northwestern – Nov 30th

Must Wins and Probable Losses

Of course, it is June, so any predictions before the finalization of rosters is a matter of stat projecting and opinion. However, as the schedule unfolded for Illinois, there were some must-win games, toss-ups, and probable losses for 2024. If Illinois can take care of business vs the four “must-win” teams, that is a major step in the right direction. Additionally, Illinois must also snag a couple more wins vs projected “toss-up” games. Furthermore, giving Illinois the 6+ needed to bowl in 2024.

Must Wins: Eastern Illinois, Central Michigan, Purdue, Minnesota

Toss Ups: Michigan State, Northwestern, Kansas, Nebraska, Rutgers

Probable losses: Penn State, Michigan, Oregon

Two toss-up games you must have

If Illinois wants to bowl in 2024, locking down a couple of the “toss-up” games is key to success. Michigan State, Northwestern, Kansas, Nebraska, and Rutgers are all extremely winnable games for Bret Bielema. However, claiming victory vs any of these 5 opponents certainly won’t be a walk in the park.

Tone Setter

First, my mind immediately goes to Kansas. The Illini dropped a loss 23-34 in Lawrence (KS) last year to Lance Leipold’s tough 9-4, squad. Now, it is in Champaign and Illinois Football’s turn to play host.

Despite losing a plethora of talent from 2023, Kansas still has Jalon Daniels leading the way at Quarterback. Daniels picked the Illini apart, going 21/29 on the night, with 277 total yards, and 2 touchdowns. The Jayhawks QB averaged 9.6 yards per play vs the Illini in last season’s matchup. If Illinois can slip away with a win, they will be in great shape to start the season 3-0. Of course, factoring in wins over EIU and Central Michigan. If that happens, the Illini will then have a stretch of Nebraska, Penn State, and Purdue to follow. Other than a probable loss vs Penn State, that sets up the Illini with a reasonable shot to start the season 5-1, with wins over Purdue and Nebby.

Beat Northwestern

Of course, Northwestern delivered a gut-wrenching loss to Illinois in Champaign in 2023. The Wildcats pounced into Memorial Stadium and stole away a 45-43 win. A brutal loss, that held the Illini from bowl game contention in 2023. Certainly, the Illinois Football program must seek revenge. The two in-state rivals face off on November 30th at Wrigley Field in Chicago. A game that may just be another make-or-break moment for Illinois Football program history.