Illinois heads into Week 2 with a chance to stack another win against a power four opponent, and Duke is standing in the way on Saturday.
The Illini already handled Duke last season, and before that they beat Kansas in non-conference play the year prior. Another win here would give Illinois three straight power four non-conference victories for the Orange and Blue.
This one won’t come easy. Duke brings a defense that will try to rattle Katin Houser, and the matchup should be a good one.
The game is set for Saturday, September 12, at 2:30 p.m. CT/3:30 p.m. ET and will air on FS1.
The series between Illinois and Duke is short, but it has leaned toward the Illini. Going into last season, the matchup was tied 1-1. Duke won the first meeting in 1958, while Illinois answered in 1965 in Champaign.
Then came last season’s rubber match, when Illinois rolled past the Blue Devils 45-19. The Illini will now look to finish off the all-time series with a 3-1 lead.
A few players could shape what happens next, starting with Duke quarterback Walker Eget. He transferred in with hopes of following in the footsteps of Dariah Mensah, the new Miami quarterback, but his opener against Tulane didn’t inspire much confidence. Eget threw for 131 yards, no touchdowns, and completed just 50% of his passes.
That said, Illinois can make life easier for opposing quarterbacks than it should, especially in the middle of the defense. If Eget is going to find a rhythm, that area of the field is where Duke will try to do it, about five yards downfield and between the hash marks.
If Eget settles in, Duke has a path to the upset. But Illinois also has the more encouraging quarterback situation right now.
Houser looked sharp in Week 1 against UAB, connecting well with his wide receivers and showing the kind of efficiency that can carry Illinois through a lot of games this season. If he keeps that up, the Illini should have enough offense to put Duke away.
In Other News...
Illinois Has A David Mirkovic Decision That Could Shape The Season
Illinois is still waiting on one of the more important health updates of its preseason, as forward David Mirkovic continues to work back from foot surgery he had at the end of July. He is out of his boot now and moving in the right direction, and Brad Underwood said the recovery has gone well so far while making clear the program is not rushing the process.
For an Illini team trying to build off a Final Four run, Mirkovics status matters because his availability could shape both the frontcourt rotation and the way the roster settles early in the season. Underwood has not put a timetable on the return, which leaves Illinois balancing optimism with patience as it waits to see how quickly Mirkovic can get fully healthy. [Read more 🡒]
Illinois Transfer Already Added Some Edge To A Crucial Season
Stefan Vaaks did not waste any time settling into Illinois, and the sophomore transfer from Providence already sounds comfortable with the move. He has brushed off the chatter around his decision and appears focused on carving out a major role for a roster that needed help after some notable departures, with the Illini counting on him to occupy one of the most important openings on the team.
There is real pressure attached to that fit, because Illinois kept several starters in place and also brought in a five-star freshman, giving the group the look of a legitimate contender if the pieces come together. Vaaks does not need to be the headline, but he does need to be one of the reasons this season feels different, and his early edge suggests he is ready for that responsibility. [Read more 🡒]
Duke Brings A New Identity Into A Matchup Illinois Fears
When Illinois and Duke meet again in this nonconference rematch, the Blue Devils arrive with a different identity than the one the Illini may remember. Duke has moved toward a run-first attack built around sophomore Nate Sheppard, forcing opponents to spend more time bracing for the ground game and less time worrying about the passing script that often defines modern offenses.
For Illinois, that change creates a fresh defensive problem at a time when Bret Bielema is already asking his team to clean up its tackling. The Illini are also trying to protect quarterback Katin Houser, who was efficient in his debut, while Dukes defense will be looking to make his night uncomfortable. It is the kind of early-season matchup that can expose exactly where both teams are still sorting out who they are. [Read more 🡒]