For the final game of the regular season, in-state rival Illinois travels to Ryan Field to battle for The Hat. The Fighting Illini are entering what seems to be a rebuilding year, but you never know in the world of college football. The Land of Lincoln Trophy will be earned by the winner of this rivalry game on Nov. 28.
The BasicsReturning Production: 50% overall (52% offense, 47% defense); 75th in FBS
2025 Record: 9-4 (5-4 B1G)
Head Coach: Bret Bielema (sixth season)
The Stats2026 SP+ Overall: 33rd
2026 SP+ Offense: 28th
2026 SP+ Defense: 44th
2026 SP+ Special Teams: 30th
2025 CapsuleIllinois was ranked No. 12 in the 2025 Preseason AP Poll. The Illini climbed to No. 9 in Week 3 and remained there in Week 4 before Indiana dropped 63 against them. Illinois then bounced back after the blowout loss and got to 5-1, beating USC by two points and Purdue by double digits. The Illini then rode a roller coaster to the finish line: they lost their next two to Ohio State and Washington, won the next two against Rutgers and Maryland, and then fell apart against a disappointing Wisconsin team. Illinois beat Northwestern in Rivalry Week to finish the regular season 8-4, and they also beat Tennessee in the Music City Bowl, but the preseason hype for the Illini ended with them being left out of the final AP Poll entirely.
Offensive OverviewIllinois lost Luke Altmyer to the NFL this offseason. For what he did over the past couple of years for Illinois football, it’s a big loss. However, the Illini did bring in Katin Houser from East Carolina to take over under center. With the Pirates last season, Houser threw for 3,300 yards and 19 touchdowns to go with nine rushing touchdowns. He threw just six interceptions in 2025, five fewer than he did in 2024. If he can prevent turnovers and play the role of game manager, Illinois might not be in that bad of a spot despite Altmyer’s departure.
With Kaden Feagin moving to tight end, the running back room for the Illini seems pretty cut and dry, with both Ca’Lil Valentine and Aidan Laughery returning. In 2025, Valentine, Feagin, and Laughery each got about 30% of the carries, so the carries that went to Feagin will now be distributed between the other returners. Illinois’ rushing attack wasn’t anything spectacular last season, but it also could be more related to the offensive line underperforming.
Speaking of the offensive line, the Illini had multiple returning starters from 2024 play in 2025 but not meet expectations. Bart Miller returns as the O-line coach, which could favor opponents because of his and Bret Bielema’s struggles developing offensive linemen year-over-year on this team. Brandon Henderson is the only returning starter, and he slots right in at right guard. Wisconsin transfer center Jake Renfro does have Big Ten starting experience to pair with Henderson and should also get a starting nod. Maika Matelau is one of the most intriguing players on this entire team, coming in as the No. 1-ranked JUCO interior offensive lineman and likely someone who will start in Week 1. Christian Martin was brought in from Colorado State and will also likely be starting for the Illini this season, as will Nathan Knapik, who is entering his second season with Illinois. It’s a pretty unproven unit in terms of a Big Ten offensive line, but the upside is high.
At tight end, Illinois has had guys the past couple of years in Tip Reiman (2023) and Tanner Arkin (2024, 2025) playing over 600 snaps. This season, Christian Abney is the player most likely to follow suit. Illinois doesn’t tend to use tight end much in the passing game, but having Feagin in the room could add another dimension and open things up outside of being just block-first.
Illinois’ top receiver in 2025, Hank Beatty, is now in the NFL, so the Illini will need to replace his production this season. Collin Dixon and Hudson Clement both return as starters and could help to replace Beatty’s production from a season ago, but Florida Atlantic transfer Jayshon Platt continues to impress in camp and could be a huge impact player for Illinois’ offense. FIU’s Alex Perry and Ball State’s Ty Robinson also transferred in this offseason, but both guys project to be depth pieces—at least for now.
Defensive OverviewIllinois has a new defensive coordinator. Notre Dame hired Aaron Henry following the 2025 season, so Bielema brought in Bobby Hauck to run the defense. Hauck previously coached at Montana before coming to the Big Ten, and he’s bringing his 3-3-5 defense with him. Hauck was hired in February 2026, so he didn’t have much time, if any, to make an impact with the portal acquisitions he wanted, which is especially important because of the uniqueness of his defense. As the 3-3-5 requires three down linemen, losing five to the transfer portal is big time. To combat these losses, Illinois brought in six players, hoping at least a couple will hit. The Illini brought in three Group of 6 transfers, one FCS transfer and two JUCO transfers on the D-line, but only three of these guys feel truly playable. Pat Farrell is the only returning player in the group and projects to have a big role, as do Penn transfer Carter Janki and Jacksonville State transfer Darrell Prater. Bowling Green transfer Isaiah Thomison could also make an impact in this room, but he may play more on the edge.
Speaking of edge, Illinois saw Gabe Jacas go to the NFL, along with losing two other edge rushers that graduated. Joe Barna and Daniel Brown both return for the Illini after playing sparingly in 2025, with Barna projecting more as a down lineman off the edge while Brown looks like he could play the Jack role, which is a hybrid of an edge rusher/defensive end and outside linebacker. The Illini also brought in Utah State transfer Will Holmes, who could slot in at either spot. While there are enough bodies in this room, the size of the players could pose a scheme-fit problem.
At linebacker, Illinois lost four of its top six players in terms of snaps at the position from last year, with the two returning being James Kreutz and Ismael Kante. The Illini brought in Colorado State transfer Robert Edmonson at the position, and he and Kreutz likely will be the starters alongside the Jack in the 3-3-5. Three players in this room were in the 2025 recruiting class and could make an impact, but it’s a very unproven group behind the starters. Kante is also unproven, with a limited snap share throughout his career. Grant Beerman seems to be the name coming up most often among these “others,” but only time will tell.
The secondary is the spot with the most continuity on defense for the Illini, with five returning players who will all almost certainly be playing a lot. Safety Matthew Bailey is back after leading the team in tackles last season, as is Tanner Heckel, who was the main nickelback in 2025. Xavier Scott returns as well and will likely slot right in as the nickel starter, moving Heckel to being a reliable DB backup option. Scott was injured three games into 2025 and missed the rest of the season, but he’s participating in camp and looking healthy. He could be one of the better secondary players in the Big Ten if he stays healthy. Mac Resetich also returns after acting as a backup last season, with him likely beginning the season as a starting safety. Illinois also added James Finley IV and Lavon Williams through the transfer portal to compete for that safety spot next to Bailey. At corner, Juice Clark is back after starting last season. He, Scott and Bailey are likely Illinois’ three best 2027 NFL Draft prospects, so the secondary should be strong, at least on paper. Opposite Clark, JUCO transfer Jakwon Morris seems to be the most likely to start in Week 1, but Illinois also brought in the highest-rated recruit ever under Bielema in Nick Hankins Jr., who could also see a significant role in 2026.
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