Northwestern at Illinois Game Matchup
Northwestern logo Northwestern Wildcats at Illinois Fighting IlliniIllinois logo
Saturday, November 29th 2025 (12:00 AM EST)
Memorial Stadium - Champaign, IL  (Big Ten)

 
Wildcats (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach David Braun (12 - 13)
Avg Score : 18 - 26 (18 - 29 on Road)
Record Prediction: 3.7 - 8.3 (#124)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 3) (Good: 4) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 3)
NW is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Illinois -18.5   (SP+ ILL -20)
Projected Score: NW: 15 - ILL: 33 (47)
ILL Win prob: 91% | Cover: 44%
NW Travel: 139 miles
Fighting Illini (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Bret Bielema (27 - 22)
Avg Score : 28 - 22 (32 - 18 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.9 - 3.1 (#19)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 5) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 5)
 
Northwestern's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 8/29 Northwestern at Tulane+7.00.0
Sat 9/6 Northwestern vs Western Illinois-21.5
Sat 9/13 Northwestern vs Oregon+26.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27 Northwestern vs UCLA+2.5
Sat 10/4 Northwestern vs UL Monroe-15.5
Sat 10/11 Northwestern at Penn State+33.5
Sat 10/18 Northwestern vs Purdue-13
Sat 10/25 Northwestern at Nebraska+16.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/8 Northwestern at USC+15.5
Sat 11/15 Northwestern vs Michigan+21
Sat 11/22 Northwestern vs Minnesota+9
Sat 11/29 Northwestern at Illinois+18.5

Total: Elite: 3, Good: 4, Avg 2, Bad 0, Poor 3
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 3, Good: 4, Avg 2, Bad 0, Poor 3
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Northwestern's Schedule
Illinois's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 8/29 Illinois vs Western Illinois-37.5
Sat 9/6 Illinois at Duke-5.5
Sat 9/13 Illinois vs Western Michigan-34
Sat 9/20 Illinois at Indiana+1.5
Sat 9/27 Illinois vs USC-5.5
Sat 10/4 Illinois at Purdue-24
Sat 10/11 Illinois vs Ohio State+15
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/25 Illinois at Washington-3
Sat 11/1 Illinois vs Rutgers-10
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/15 Illinois vs Maryland-19.5
Sat 11/22 Illinois at Wisconsin-4
Sat 11/29 Illinois vs Northwestern-18.5

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 5, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 3
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 5, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 3
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Illinois'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
NW#129 (.02)37% (123)17.839% (113)2.63 (124)9936% (116)1863.02 (127)#57 (.15)45% (106)26.344% (80)46% (117)3.74 (64)38.81.51.3
ILL#31 (.25)45% (45)28.345% (51)3.14 (49)14044% (44)1984.23 (39)#76 (.18)46% (115)21.750% (127)43% (90)3.48 (37)390.91.5
 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
NW0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
ILL0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NW Offense1217.817.637.1%3.021.516285991863.445%54%39%36%19%.02
ILL Defense1321.717.646.3%3.481.5 - - - - - 48%52%50%43%13%.18
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NW Defense1226.328.845%3.741.3 - - - - - 47%53%44%46%15%.15
ILL Offense1328.33244.6%4.230.9193381401984.453%47%45%44%18%.25

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
Northwestern1229:491633%50%4.838.81.51.34.81.9328
Illinois1326:5218.744%50%5.1390.91.53.82.2130.2
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
NW Offense1245% (106)39% (113)29.398.63.412 (114).07 (102)2.63 (124)66% (112)11% (98)1.1 (20)
ILL Defense1348% (37)50% (127) - - - - .19 (108)3.57 (132)75% (75)8% (120)0.8 (5)
 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
NW Defense1247% (26)44% (80) - - - - .07 (42)2.99 (63)69% (47)8% (107)0.86 (15)
ILL Offense1353% (50)45% (51)31.81404.420 (67).13 (67)3.14 (49)81% (17)11% (107)0.91 (95)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NW Offense1254% (31)36% (116)17.632.7186.15.710.67 (130)11 (72).02 (132)1.3 (134)35% (119)31% (79).2 (109)8% (121)1.8 (119)
ILL Defense1352% (95)43% (90) - - - - - - 12 (39).19 (44)1.4 (17)28% (117)34% (111).37 (97)6% (84)1.9 (40)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NW Defense1253% (110)46% (117) - - - - - - 10 (66).25 (77)1.4 (13)27% (128)35% (116).28 (55)7% (33)1.8 (24)
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)

Northwestern's Power Ratings
Northwestern's Power Rating: 2.03 #60
Northwestern's Offense Rating: 11.09 #87
Northwestern's Defense Rating: 9.06 #32
2025 Talent Rating: 826.00 #40
Blue Chip Ratio: 3% #61
Northwestern's 2025 Expected Record: 3.7 - 8.3
Northwestern's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -6.1 #87
Northwestern's Offense SP+ Rating: 17.7 #129
Northwestern's Defense SP+ Rating: 23.8 #39

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.44
Average Power Five Talent: 861.13
Average FBS Talent: 684.31

Power Ratings Matchup
Northwestern: 2.03   Illinois: 16.465

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Northwestern: -6.1   Illinois: 14.3




Illinois's Power Ratings
Illinois's Power Rating: 16.465 #23
Illinois's Offense Rating: 24.24 #14
Illinois's Defense Rating: 10.61 #42
2025 Talent Rating: 824.00 #41
Blue Chip Ratio: 9 #40
Illinois's 2025 Expected Record: 8.9 - 3.1
Illinois's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 14.3 #19
Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 32.3 #28
Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 18.0 #20

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.44
Average Power Five Talent: 861.13
Average FBS Talent: 684.31


Northwestern Scoring
Offense: 17.8 PPG
Offense on Road: 17.6
Defense: 26.3 PPG
Defense on Road: 28.8

Northwestern's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Illinois 33
Northwestern 15

Projected Total Points: 47
Illinois Scoring
Offense: 28.3 PPG
Offense at Home: 32
Defense: 21.7 PPG
Defense at Home: 17.6

Illinois's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202411/30Northwestern28Illinois38IllinoisIllinois -8.5Illinois42.5Over
202311/25Illinois43Northwestern45NorthwesternIllinois -5Northwestern46.5Over
202211/26Northwestern3Illinois41IllinoisIllinois -15.0Illinois38.0Over
202111/27Illinois47Northwestern14IllinoisIllinois -7Illinois45.0Over
202012/12Northwestern28Illinois10NorthwesternNorthwestern -13Northwestern41.0Under
201911/30Illinois10Northwestern29NorthwesternIllinois -6.5Northwestern38.0Over
201811/24Northwestern24Illinois16NorthwesternNorthwestern -14.5Illinois56.0Under
201711/25Illinois7Northwestern42NorthwesternNorthwestern -16.5Northwestern46.0Over
201611/26Northwestern42Illinois21NorthwesternNorthwestern -15Northwestern48.5Over
201511/28Illinois14Northwestern24NorthwesternNorthwestern -3.5Northwestern42.0Under
201411/29Northwestern33Illinois47IllinoisNorthwestern -9Illinois0
201311/30Illinois34Northwestern37NorthwesternNorthwestern -4Illinois0
201211/24Northwestern50Illinois14Northwestern
201110/01Illinois38Northwestern35Illinois
201011/20Northwestern27Illinois48Illinois
200911/14Illinois16Northwestern21Northwestern
200811/22Northwestern27Illinois10Northwestern
200711/17Illinois41Northwestern22Illinois
200611/18Northwestern27Illinois16Northwestern
200511/19Illinois21Northwestern38Northwestern
200411/20Northwestern28Illinois21Northwestern
200311/22Illinois20Northwestern37Northwestern
200111/22Illinois34Northwestern28Illinois
200011/17Northwestern61Illinois23Northwestern
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Illinois867 Overs
Northwestern1663 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams12 - 124 - 83 - 41 - 4
Road Teams12 - 128 - 44 - 14 - 3

(#60) Northwestern Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: 2.03 #60
Offense Rating: 11.09 #87
Defense Rating: 9.06 #32
Overall SP+ Rating: -6.1 #87
Offense SP+ Rating: 17.7 #129
Defense SP+ Rating: 23.8 #39
Talent Rating: 826.00 #40
Blue Chip Ratio: 3% #61
Expected Record: 3.7 - 8.3

Team Profile
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 45%
Awful Offense Success Rate of 37%
Awful Offensive Explosiveness
Awful in Scoring Position 3.02 PPO
Awful Run Success 39%
Awful Pass Success 36%
Avg OL Grades, Awful OL Yds Per Rush
Good DL Grades, Poor Sacks/Turnovers
Poor Defense Success Rate of 45%
Avg in Scoring Position 3.74 PPO
Bad Run Def Success 44%
Awful Pass Def Success 46%
Bad Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Good Field Position


Northwestern Notes
(5/21) Can WR Wilde (FCS SDSU) bring hope?
(5/21) DL is light, but has exp and some pass rush
(5/21) CBs exp'd but avg, Safeties are good though
(5/21) WR complete rebuild. Depth looks meh, huge ?
(5/21) OL 3/5 back, awful LY. 3 portals, OT Tiernan great
(4/4) RB Porter back, some depth. Run game awful LY
(4/4) Def good LY, returns a lot. 3 portal adds
(4/4) HC Braun dropped from 8 to 4 wins in year 2
(3/22) QB likely Stone (SMU), Lausch started LY
Northwestern     Ratings Matchup     Illinois
Power #60
#23
Off #87
#14
Def #32
#42
Talent #40
#41
SP+ #87
#19
SP+ Off #129
#28
SP+ Def #39
#20

Previous Matchups
Illinois beat Northwestern last year (38-28)
Northwestern beat Illinois in 2023 (45-43)
Illinois beat Northwestern in 2022 (41-3)

Weather Forecast
Playing in Memorial Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: NW | ILL
Depth Chart: NW | ILL
Rosters: NW | ILL
(#23) Illinois Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: 16.465 #23
Offense Rating: 24.24 #14
Defense Rating: 10.61 #42
Overall SP+ Rating: 14.3 #19
Offense SP+ Rating: 32.3 #28
Defense SP+ Rating: 18.0 #20
Talent Rating: 824.00 #41
Blue Chip Ratio: 9 #40
Expected Record: 8.9 - 3.1

Team Profile
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 53%
Avg Offense Success Rate of 45%
Good Offensive Explosiveness
Good in Scoring Position 4.23 PPO
Avg Run Success 45%
Good Pass Success 44%
Bad OL Grades, Avg OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Awful Sacks/Turnovers
Awful Defense Success Rate of 46%
Good in Scoring Position 3.48 PPO
Awful Run Def Success 50%
Poor Pass Def Success 43%
Awful Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Bad Field Position


Illinois Notes
(5/23) Illini were 5-1 in 1 score games LY
(4/15) RBs Laughery/Feegan good, McCray portaled
(4/5) OC Lunney underrated, good play caller
(4/5) QB Altmyer 3rd yr w/ OC Lunney. Big year?
(4/4) Beilema good HC, returns a ton. Big year?
(4/4) Def good LY, returns a lot. 5 portal DL added
(3/20) TE Rusk hurt LY, could be big target TY
(3/18) WRs lost top 2, need portals to step up
(3/18) OL has 4/5 back, must improve in '25


  
Northwestern's OC Zach Lujan
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Jack Lausch15929654%1714785.8
Preston Stone (Tr)305159%421518.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Cam Porter12650164.044
Joseph Himon II5225724.951
Jack Lausch8721322.429
Caleb Komolafe5013902.817
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Griffin Wilde (Tr)6410401016.360
Cam Porter2317407.628
Frank Covey IV109809.827
Joseph Himon II159616.422

View Northwestern's Full Roster
Northwestern's DC Tim McGarigle
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mac Uihlein844201
Yanni Karlaftis (Tr)572121
Robert Fitzgerald461100
Damon Walters424002
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Aidan Hubbard337671
Anto Saka155440
Michael Kilbane203300
Mac Uihlein844201
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Josh Fussell391005
Fred Davis II (Tr)173004
Evan Smith282003

Illinois's OC Barry Lunney Jr.
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Luke Altmyer21134761%27172267.8
Ethan Hampton (Tr)14324558%16081266.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Aidan Laughery9758946.164
Kaden Feagin6730634.634
Luke Altmyer9921742.237
Ca'Lil Valentine5321214.022
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Hudson Clement (Tr)51741514.544
Justin Bowick (Tr)20383319.257
Hank Beatty20294114.759
Collin Dixon18264014.741

View Illinois's Full Roster
Illinois's DC Aaron Henry
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Matthew Bailey942005
Gabe Jacas7113890
Dylan Rosiek613201
Miles Scott540004
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Gabe Jacas7113890
Alec Bryant222212
Malachi Hood142201
Kenenna Odeluga72200
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Xavier Scott492106
Matthew Bailey942005
Jaheim Clarke341015