Should Illini Football buyout their matchup vs Mizzou?

Illini football should certainly consider buying out their matchup vs the Missouri Tigers. The Illini will be playing the Tigers during the 2026 season for the first time since 2010 in Champaign, Illinois. The series continues as the two teams will clash in 2027, 2028 and 2029. The intrigue is very understandable as the two programs have many reasons to consider each other rivals. Particularly, their proximity to each other and the location they both recruit extremely heavily. Additionally, it is safe to say that the two programs hold a fierce rivalry on the basketball court.

However, the two football programs are in very different positions at the moment and the matchup simply does not make much sense for Illinois. The series needs to be bought out or postponed to a later year.

Two programs at different stages

Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

The Illini are in a very different stage in their rebuild than Missouri. The Tigers are 23-16 in their last three seasons and most recently went 11-2 while finishing the season as the 8th-ranked team in the AP Poll. The Illini are 18-19 in their last three seasons, however, they currently need to make bowl games in a desperate way. Missouri, on the other hand, is bringing in a class of 2024 that is ranked number 21 in the 247 rankings. Their 2025 class currently sits at number 13.

The Tigers are competing in the best football conference in the nation, while Illinois is still trying to plant its flag in the ground. They need to schedule three winnable non-conference games so that their chances of making a bowl game in an increasingly difficult Big Ten West are almost certain. Mike Carpenter of the 200 Level has always made the point that winning football games, not bringing in notable opponents, is what will bring fans into the stadium. There will come a time when Bret Bielema will have the Illini playing significant football games.

However, as they attempt to rise in their rebuild, that time simply is not going to be in 2026.

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