Illinois at Duke - 2025 Matchup Preview
Illinois logo   Illinois Fighting Illini at Duke Blue Devils  Duke logo
Saturday, September 6th 2025 (12:00 PM EDT)
Illinois -2.5 (49.0) (-130)  Open: -2.5 | 50.0
Illinois 45 - Duke: 19

 
Fighting Illini (9 - 4) (8 - 4 - 1)
Coach Bret Bielema (27 - 22)
Avg Score : 29 - 24 (27 - 36 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8.3 - 4.7 (#51)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 5) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 3)
DUKE 2nd straight Home Game
Our Line: Illinois -5  (SP+ ILL -6.5)

Projected Score: ILL: 30 - DUKE: 25 (55)
ILL Win prob: 55% | Cover: 49%
ILL Travel: 579 miles, 1 hrs behind
Blue Devils (9 - 5) (7 - 7 - 0)
Coach Manny Diaz (9 - 3)
Avg Score : 35 - 29 (32 - 31 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.5 - 5.5 (#42)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 3) (Avg: 6) (Bad: 1)
 
Illinois's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 8/29 Illinois vs Western Illinois-48.562.5W 52 - 3UY
Sat 9/6 Illinois at Duke-2.549.0W 45 - 19OY
Sat 9/13 Illinois vs Western Michigan-27.550.5W 38 - 0UY
Sat 9/20 Illinois at Indiana+7.051.5L 10 - 63ON
Sat 9/27 Illinois vs USC+6.562.5W 34 - 32OY
Sat 10/4 Illinois at Purdue-7.555.5W 43 - 27OY
Sat 10/11 Illinois vs Ohio State+15.551.5L 16 - 34UN
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/25 Illinois at Washington+3.554.5L 25 - 42ON
Sat 11/1 Illinois vs Rutgers-13.563.5W 35 - 13UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/15 Illinois vs Maryland-15.551.5W 24 - 6UY
Sat 11/22 Illinois at Wisconsin-8.542.5L 10 - 27UN
Sat 11/29 Illinois vs Northwestern-7.044.5W 20 - 13UN
Tue 12/30 Illinois vs Tennessee+3.062.5W 30 - 28UY

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 5, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 5, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Illinois's Schedule
Duke's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 8/28 Duke vs Elon-36.551.5W 45 - 17ON
Sat 9/6 Duke vs Illinois+2.549.0L 19 - 45ON
Sat 9/13 Duke at Tulane+1.552.5L 27 - 34ON
Sat 9/20 Duke vs NC State-3.057.5W 45 - 33OY
Sat 9/27 Duke at Syracuse-4.059.5W 38 - 3UY
Sat 10/4 Duke at California-3.554.5W 45 - 21OY
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/18 Duke vs Georgia Tech-3.560.5L 18 - 27UN
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/1 Duke at Clemson+4.555.5W 46 - 45OY
Sat 11/8 Duke at UConn-7.563.5L 34 - 37ON
Sat 11/15 Duke vs Virginia-5.559.5L 17 - 34UN
Sat 11/22 Duke at North Carolina-6.550.5W 32 - 25OY
Sat 11/29 Duke vs Wake Forest-2.554.0W 49 - 32OY
Sat 12/6 Duke vs Virginia+3.558.5W 27 - 20UY
Wed 12/31 Duke vs Arizona State-4.049.5W 42 - 39ON

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 3, Avg 6, Bad 1, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 3, Avg 6, Bad 1, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Duke's Schedule
Important Stats (2024)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
ILL#31 (.25)45% (45)29.445% (51)3.14 (49)14044% (44)1984.23 (39)#76 (.18)46% (115)23.650% (127)43% (90)3.48 (37)390.91.5
DUKE#109 (.12)39% (116)34.635% (129)2.47 (131)8942% (69)2263.7 (90)#10 (.06)38% (16)29.441% (51)34% (5)3.19 (17)48.91.42
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
ILL0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
DUKE0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
ILL Offense1329.426.644.6%4.230.9193381401984.453%47%45%44%18%.25
DUKE Defense1329.431.337.6%3.192 - - - - - 52%48%41%34%23%.06
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
ILL Defense1323.635.646.3%3.481.5 - - - - - 48%52%50%43%13%.18
DUKE Offense1334.632.238.6%3.71.416315892263.344%56%35%42%19%.12

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Illinois1326:5218.744%50%5.1390.91.53.82.2130.2
Duke1325:0516.329%38%5.148.91.428.53.2131.2
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
ILL Offense1353% (50)45% (51)31.81404.420 (67).13 (67)3.14 (49)81% (17)11% (107)0.91 (95)
DUKE Defense1352% (81)41% (51) - - - - .06 (35)2.74 (28)59% (6)15% (2)0.91 (38)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
ILL Defense1348% (37)50% (127) - - - - .19 (108)3.57 (132)75% (75)8% (120)0.8 (5)
DUKE Offense1344% (110)35% (129)27.589.23.313 (105)-.07 (133)2.47 (131)78% (32)10% (78)0.74 (131)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
ILL Offense1347% (83)44% (44)15.425.5197.87.812.921 (51)5 (6).38 (16)1.8 (15)31% (62)31% (81).42 (31)6% (82)2.3 (5)
DUKE Defense1348% (53)34% (5) - - - - - - 12 (39).06 (7)1.5 (39)34% (35)29% (41).27 (53)7% (28)2.1 (69)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
ILL Defense1352% (95)43% (90) - - - - - - 12 (39).19 (44)1.4 (17)28% (117)34% (111).37 (97)6% (84)1.9 (40)
DUKE Offense1356% (24)42% (69)19.632.5226.1711.526 (26)12 (85).28 (55)1.6 (56)32% (73)29% (98).3 (82)9% (129)2 (78)

Illinois's Power Ratings
Illinois's Power Rating: 17.62  #15
Illinois's Offense Rating: 26.51  #8
Illinois's Defense Rating: 8.89  #37
2025 Talent Rating: 864.00  #37
Blue Chip Ratio: 10%  #39
Illinois's 2025 Expected Record: 8.3 - 4.7
Illinois's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 12.9  #24
Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 33.3  #27
Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.7  #41

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 906.67
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
Illinois: 17.62   Duke: 10.39

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Illinois: 12.9   Duke: 6.6




Duke's Power Ratings
Duke's Power Rating: 10.39  #42
Duke's Offense Rating: 21.58  #23
Duke's Defense Rating: 12.40  #58
2025 Talent Rating: 816.00  #48
Blue Chip Ratio: 5  #54
Duke's 2025 Expected Record: 8.5 - 5.5
Duke's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 6.6  #44
Duke's Offense SP+ Rating: 34.8  #19
Duke's Defense SP+ Rating: 29.2  #86

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 852.82
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76


Illinois Scoring
Offense: 29.4 PPG
Offense on Road: 26.6
Defense: 23.6 PPG
Defense on Road: 35.6

Illinois's 2025 Record
Record: 9 - 4
Record vs Spread: 8 - 4 - 1
Over/Under Record: 5 - 8
Record on Road: 2 - 3
Record vs Spread on Road: 2 - 3 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 6 - 1 - 1
Record as Road Fav vs Spread: 2 - 1 - 0
Projected Score
Illinois 30
Duke 25


Projected Total Points: 55
Duke Scoring
Offense: 34.6 PPG
Offense at Home: 32.2
Defense: 29.4 PPG
Defense at Home: 31.3

Duke's 2025 Record
Record: 9 - 5
Record vs Spread: 7 - 7 - 0
Over/Under Record: 10 - 4
Record at home: 3 - 3
Record vs Spread at home: 2 - 4 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 2 - 2 - 0
Record as Home Dog vs Spread: 0 - 1 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202509/06Duke19Illinois45Illinois -2.5Illinois49.0Over
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Duke001 Overs
Illinois110 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 10 - 10 - 00 - 1
Road Teams1 - 01 - 01 - 00 - 0

(#15) ILL at (#42) DUKE
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatILLDUKE
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #15 #42
SP+SP+ #24 #44
Perf GradeGrade #24 #37
OffenseOff #12 #16
DefenseDef #69 #99
Spec TeamsST #91 #40
TalentTal #37 #48
Blue ChipsBC% #39 #54
Illinois Notes
(11/22) Finishes 2-3 on road after awful L @ Wisconsin
(10/10) 1st in P4 at +42 Pts off TOs w/ a TO margin +7
(9/20) Destroyed by IU, outrushed 267 to 2! Off awful
(8/15) OL banged up in fall camp, not major
(6/6) QB Altmyer 3rd yr w/ OC Lunney. Big goals TY
(6/6) RBs Laughery good, Feegan back from inj (hip)
(6/6) WRs lost top 2, Clement (WVU) + Bowick (BSU)
(6/6) OL has 4/5 back, 3 portals, should improve TY
(6/6) Def looks really deep, could be better unit
(6/6) Secondary one of best in B1G, Pass rush ?
(6/6) Def good LY, returns a lot. 7 portal DL added
(5/23) Illini were 5-1 in 1 score games LY
Illinois Injury Report
Duke Notes
(11/16) Duke just isn't good. 1-3 run, need 1 more to bowl
(11/2) Wild W over Clemson, 6.1% post game win exp!
(10/18) Mistakes killing Duke, Outplayed GT but Run Off bad
(9/20) Great W vs NC St, Mensah better, Def got 4 TOs
(8/16) QB Mensah feels slept on, kid is really dynamic
(7/27) S T Moore & C Weaver the top duo in ACC
(6/6) Secondary a top ACC unit, should be strength
(5/23) Duke was 6-1 in 1 score games LY
(5/2) CB Chandler Rivers/ S Terry Moore top 10 via PFF
(4/4) OT Brian Parker II a top OT via PFF
(3/22) QB Mensah a big portal+ from Tulane
(3/21) RB #1 left (Tenn). Some depth, Castle (App St)
Duke Injury Report
Illinois on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
ILL OffDUKE Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #12 #99
SuccessSuc #45 #16
ExplosiveExp #44 #22
PPAPPA #31 #10
PowerPwr #8 #58
SP+SP+ #27 #86
Pts POPPO #39 #17
HavocHav #103 #2
Illinois Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
ILL OffDUKE Def
Run GameRun #54 #62
Run SuccessRSuc #51 #51
Run ExplRExp #95 #38
PPAExp #67 #35
Run BlockR Blk #5 -
OL YdsOLY #49 #28
Stuff RateStuff #20 #16
TackleTak -  #89
Illinois Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
ILL OffDUKE Def
Pass GamePass #35 #105
Pass SuccessPSuc #44 #5
Pass ExplPExl #15 #39
PPAExp #16 #7
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #74 #68
F7 HavocF7 #107 #2
DB HavocDB #82 #28
Duke on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 45%
CategoryCatDUKE OffILL Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #16 #69
SuccessSuc #116 #115
ExplosiveExp #84 #8
PPAPPA #109 #76
PowerPwr #23 #37
SP+SP+ #19 #41
Pts POPPO #90 #37
HavocHav #115 #117
Duke Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat
DUKE OffILL Def
Run GameRun #36 #51
Run SuccessRSuc #129 #127
Run ExplRExp #131 #5
PPAExp #133 #108
Run BlockR Blk #36 -
OL YdsOLY #131 #132
Stuff RateStuff #130 #134
TackleTak -  #33
Duke Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 45%
CategoryCatDUKE OffILL Def
Pass GamePass #13 #99
Pass SuccessPSuc #69 #90
Pass ExplPExl #56 #17
PPAExp #55 #44
Pass Block/RushP Blk #24 #47
F7 HavocF7 #78 #120
DB HavocDB #129 #84
Program Comparison
DUKE 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg P4
'25 Profile: Remains Below Avg P4

ILL 5 Year Profile: Improving Average P4
'25 Profile: Up to Top 25 Contenders

Weather Forecast
Playing in Wallace Wade Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Rematch from Week 2
Illinois 2.5 (49.0)
Illinois won at Duke this year (45-19)

Previous Matchups
Illinois beat Duke last year (45-19)

  
ILL's OC Barry Lunney Jr. (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Luke Altmyer24636567%30072258.2
Ethan Hampton (Tr)3475%27016.8
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Ca'Lil Valentine13161444.725
Kaden Feagin12250774.226
Aidan Laughery7538235.157
Luke Altmyer10024252.436
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Hank Beatty70864312.362
Collin Dixon35548515.761
Hudson Clement (Tr)36454312.627
Justin Bowick (Tr)22265512.025

View Illinois's Full Roster

ILL's DC Aaron Henry (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Matthew Bailey764012
Miles Scott644104
Dylan Rosiek534013
Torrie Cox Jr.501003
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Gabe Jacas44141161
Leon Lowery203240
Tomiwa Durojaiye (Tr)165231
Joe Barna202212
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaheim Clarke301007
Miles Scott644104
James Kreutz304003

DUKE's OC Jonathan Brewer (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Darian Mensah (Tr)33450067%39733467.9
Henry Belin IV2540%22004.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Nate Sheppard2001132115.760
Anderson Castle (Tr)115488124.266
Jaquez Moore4120114.932
Travis Bates95706.339
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Cooper Barkate (Tr)721106715.477
Que'Sean Brown63842513.469
Sahmir Hagans44512611.635
Jeremiah Hasley40454611.456

View Duke's Full Roster

DUKE's DC Jonathan Patke (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Luke Mergott918293
Caleb Weaver (Tr)896201
DaShawn Stone862013
Jaiden Francois (Tr)738123
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Vincent Anthony3413742
Josiah Green (Tr)387423
Aaron Hall4411340
Wesley Williams4382161
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Chandler Rivers594018
Luke Mergott918293
DaShawn Stone862013