Illini now

Illinois Football Bowl Projections Ahead of Showdown With No. 1 Oregon Have Citrus Flavor

The Illini's win against defending national champs Michigan moved them up in the world – for now

Steven Greenberg

Oct 19, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Matthew Bailey (7) reacts after a turnover against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Oct 19, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Matthew Bailey (7) reacts after a turnover against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images / Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
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At 6-1 after an impressive 21-7 win against Michigan, 20th-ranked Illinois is bowl-eligible and in position for a successful finishing stretch to the regular season. Next up is No. 1 Oregon on Saturday (2:30 p.m. CT, CBS) – a monumental challenge – but after that, the Illini should be favored against Minnesota and Michigan State at home, as well as at Rutgers and in the finale against Northwestern at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

In Week 9, the Big Ten has Oregon, Penn State and Ohio State pegged for the College Football Playoff in nearly all projections. Indiana is 7-0 and the conference’s only other team in a better spot than the Illini. The Big Ten’s non-playoff bowl ties: the Citrus (vs. the SEC), ReliaQuest (SEC), Duke’s Mayo (ACC), Music City (SEC), Pinstripe (ACC), Guaranteed Rate (Big 12) and Quick Lane (MAC).

Here’s where some of the leading prognosticators have the Illini pegged right now:

Duke’s Mayo Bowl, Charlotte, North Carolina, Jan. 3: The Action Network’s Brett McMurphy has them facing Louisville in a reunion with Cardinals coach Jeff Brohm, who was 5-1 against the Illini at Purdue.

Music City Bowl, Nashville, Tennessee, Dec. 30: So predicts CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm, with a matchup against Arkansas.

Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31: This would be a step up in the world for the Illini, and there are several who have this as their destination. Among them are ESPN’s Mark Schlabach (against LSU), ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura (against Texas A&M) and 247 Sports’ Brad Crawford (against LSU).

More From Illinois on Sports Illustrated:

Illinois Football Rises to No. 20 in AP Top 25 Poll – With No. 1 Oregon Up Next

Can Bret Bielema Transform Illinois Into a College Football Powerhouse?

Illinois Football Trolls Michigan With 'Mr. Brightside' Serenade

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Steven Greenberg
STEVEN GREENBERG

Steve Greenberg, a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, has written about college sports since the early 1990s.

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