#12 Illinois vs. Western Illinois

The #12 Illinois Fighting Illini Football team takes on the Western Illinois Leathernecks this Friday, August 29, at 6:30PM. The game will stream on Peacock. 

Looking to get the season started off right, the Illini are 46.5 point favorites (-46.5) at home, the largest point spread in program history. Illinois (0-0) are coming off a 10-3 season (6-3 conf.), including a Citrus Bowl win against #15 South Carolina. The Illini finished the season ranked #16, and look to continue that momentum into this season, starting off the year ranked #12, the highest preseason ranking since 1990. 

The Fighting Illini bring back starting QB Luke Altmyer, who threw for 2,717 yards, 22 TDs, and only 6 INTs at a 60.8% completion rate, best for the 9th most yards in a competitive Big Ten Conference, and 2nd best in INTs by a starting QB. 

Despite losing WRs Pat Bryant and Zakhari Franklin to the NFL, there is optimism amongst the fan base that transfers Hudson Clement (WV) and Justin Bowick (Ball St.) alongside team veterans Malik Elzy, Hank Beatty, and others, can make a difference. 

The defensive line also features a number of transfers, but in his third year of playcalling for the defense, Defensive Coordinator Aaron Henry looks to improve a defense that was 9th in the Big Ten in PPG, 12th in passing YPG, and 14th in rushing YPG last season.