When Bret Bielema took over in Champaign back in 2021, Illinois football was stuck in neutral. The program lacked direction, identity, and-let’s be honest-relevance in the broader Big Ten picture.
Fast forward to today, and the Illini are no longer an afterthought. Under Bielema’s leadership, they’ve become a team that not only competes but produces next-level talent and racks up wins.
Just look at the names that have passed through the program since Bielema arrived: Devon Witherspoon, now a key piece of the Seattle Seahawks’ defense and headed to Super Bowl 60. Pat Bryant, catching passes in Denver.
Kerby Joseph, making plays for the Detroit Lions. These aren’t just solid college players-they’re Sunday starters, and that speaks volumes about the kind of development happening in Champaign.
But 2026 marks a new chapter. The roster’s turning over in a big way.
Several key players have either transferred or declared for the NFL Draft, and perhaps the most significant departure is quarterback Luke Altmyer. After three years under center and two bowl wins, Altmyer leaves a major void-not just in terms of production, but leadership.
Enter Katin Houser, the former East Carolina quarterback who’s expected to take the reins. He won’t have much of a grace period.
Illinois’ schedule is no joke, featuring two College Football Playoff teams from last season in Ohio State and Oregon. Add in Bielema’s alma mater, Iowa, and a rivalry clash with Northwestern to close the year, and you’ve got a gauntlet that will test this team early and often.
If the Illini can navigate their non-conference slate and roll into Columbus undefeated, they’ll have a real chance to make a statement. That early Big Ten opener against the Buckeyes is more than just a measuring stick-it’s an opportunity to prove that the 19 wins over the last two seasons weren’t a flash in the pan.
There’s an interesting trend under Bielema that’s hard to ignore: Illinois has thrived in even-numbered years. In 2022, they went 8-5.
In 2024, they jumped to 10-3. But in the odd years-2021 and 2023-they stumbled to 5-7 finishes, with painful losses to Iowa and Northwestern knocking them out of bowl contention both times.
This past season was a reminder of what Illinois can be at its best. They won nine games, spent much of the year ranked in the AP Poll, and even flirted with a College Football Playoff berth before losses to Washington and Wisconsin cooled things off. Still, it was a campaign that reinforced Bielema’s impact and the program’s upward trajectory.
Looking ahead to 2026, Illinois will play seven games at home and five on the road. Four of those Big Ten matchups will take place at Gies Memorial Stadium, giving them a solid foundation to build momentum. The conference finalized the schedule this week, with kickoff times and TV details still to come.
Here’s how the Illini’s 2026 schedule shapes up:
Illinois Fighting Illini 2026 Schedule
- Sat., Sept. 5 - vs. UAB | Gies Memorial Stadium
- Sat., Sept. 12 - vs. Duke | Hall of Fame Weekend / FamILLy Day - Gies Memorial Stadium
- Sat., Sept. 19 - vs. Southern Illinois | Gies Memorial Stadium
- Sat., Sept. 26 - at Ohio State | Columbus, Ohio
- Sat., Oct. 3 - vs.
Purdue | Homecoming - Gies Memorial Stadium
- Sat., Oct. 10 - at Michigan State | *East Lansing, Mich.
- **Sat., Oct.
17** - BYE WEEK
- Sat., Oct. 24 - vs.
Oregon | Foundation Weekend - Gies Memorial Stadium
- Sat., Oct. 31 - at Maryland | *College Park, Md.
- Sat., Nov. 7 - vs.
Nebraska | Dads Day / Military Appreciation - Gies Memorial Stadium
- Sat., Nov. 14 - at UCLA | *Pasadena, Calif.
- Sat., Nov. 21 - vs.
Iowa | Senior Day - Gies Memorial Stadium
- Sat., Nov. 28 - at Northwestern | *Evanston, Ill.
This is a schedule that demands growth-and fast. Between high-caliber opponents, emotional rivalry games, and the challenge of integrating new talent, Illinois will need to find its footing early.
But if Bielema’s track record is any indication, don’t count them out. The Illini have shown they can rise in even years.
Now it’s time to see if 2026 follows the pattern.