Iowa at Illinois - 2026 Matchup Preview
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Iowa Hawkeyes at Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois logo
Saturday, November 21st 2026 (12:00 PM EST)
Memorial Stadium - Champaign, IL  (Big Ten)

 
Hawkeyes (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Kirk Ferentz (213 - 128)
Avg Score : 29 - 16 (30 - 17 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8.5 - 3.5 (#22)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 3) (Good: 2) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 3)
ILL is playing their 5th straight game
IOWA is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: Iowa -1  (SP+ IOWA -7)

Projected Score: IOWA: 25 - ILL: 24 (49)
IOWA Win prob: 48% | Cover: 46%
IOWA Travel: 204 miles
Fighting Illini (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Bret Bielema (37 - 26)
Avg Score : 29 - 24 (31 - 14 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.3 - 3.7 (#26)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 1) (Avg: 5) (Bad: 3)
 
Iowa's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Iowa vs Northern Illinois-35
Sat 9/12Iowa vs Iowa State-12
Sat 9/19Iowa vs Northern Iowa-40
Sat 9/26Iowa at Michigan+5
Sat 10/3Iowa vs Ohio State+10.5
Sat 10/10Iowa at Washington+7.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/24Iowa at Minnesota-8
Sat 10/31Iowa vs Wisconsin-19
Sat 11/7Iowa at Northwestern-11
Sat 11/14Iowa vs Purdue-22
Sat 11/21Iowa at Illinois-1
Fri 11/27Iowa vs Nebraska-13

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

Predictions for Iowa's Schedule
Illinois's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Illinois vs UAB-27.5
Sat 9/12Illinois vs Duke-8.5
Sat 9/19Illinois vs Southern Illinois-36.5
Sat 9/26Illinois at Ohio State+19
Sat 10/3Illinois vs Purdue-18.5
Sat 10/10Illinois at Michigan State-10.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/24Illinois vs Oregon+11
Sat 10/31Illinois at Maryland-8.5
Sat 11/7Illinois vs Nebraska-9.5
Sat 11/14Illinois at UCLA-7.5
Sat 11/21Illinois vs Iowa+1
Sat 11/28Illinois vs Northwestern-12

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 1, Avg 5, Bad 2, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 1, Avg 5, Bad 2, Poor 1
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 (2025)
 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
IOWA#73 (.17)44% (45)29.348% (16)3.29 (15)17739% (97)1434.44 (20)#26 (.08)39% (29)16.141% (54)37% (25)3.34 (38)30.211.1
ILL#39 (.21)48% (15)29.448% (15)3.04 (52)13848% (14)2364.21 (29)#96 (.2)45% (114)23.641% (53)49% (133)4.33 (125)39.50.81.2
 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
IOWA0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
ILL0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
IOWA Offense1329.329.844.5%4.441173201771434.660%38%48%39%11%.17
ILL Defense1323.614.445.2%4.331.2 - - - - - 44%54%41%49%15%.2
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
IOWA Defense1316.117.238.5%3.341.1 - - - - - 48%50%41%37%17%.08
ILL Offense1329.431.347.8%4.210.8213741382363.951%48%48%48%16%.21

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Iowa1331:2717.543%67%330.211.14.81.9533.3
Illinois1330:5421.242%57%4.639.50.81.24.92.2130.3
Run Game Stats (2026)
 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
IOWA Offense1360% (12)48% (16)38.8176.94.628 (23).19 (34)3.29 (15)81% (10)8% (32)0.9 (98)
ILL Defense1344% (10)41% (53) - - - - .07 (50)2.88 (70)75% (97)9% (80)0.92 (51)
 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
IOWA Defense1348% (45)41% (54) - - - - .08 (53)2.92 (75)69% (50)10% (52)0.89 (33)
ILL Offense1351% (59)48% (15)35.2138.23.921 (40).08 (87)3.04 (52)73% (56)10% (87)0.8 (131)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
IOWA Offense1338% (126)39% (97)13.822143.26.510.312 (128)8 (60).24 (71)1.5 (68)27% (15)26% (112).2 (110)3% (4)1.9 (92)
ILL Defense1354% (122)49% (133) - - - - - - 6 (123).32 (102)1.3 (5)28% (126)36% (130).39 (112)6% (67)2 (62)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
IOWA Defense1350% (91)37% (25) - - - - - - 11 (38).16 (30)1.4 (8)29% (105)24% (10).22 (41)7% (32)2 (52)
ILL Offense1348% (76)48% (14)19.328.6235.88.212.223 (33)6 (7).41 (21)1.6 (56)29% (34)37% (14).37 (43)6% (51)1.9 (111)

Iowa's Power Ratings
Iowa's Power Rating: 13.67  #26
Iowa's Offense Rating: 15.37  #49
Iowa's Defense Rating: 6.70  #19
2026 Talent Rating: 876.00  #41
Blue Chip Ratio: 17%  #26
Iowa's 2026 Expected Record: 8.5 - 3.5
Iowa's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 19.7  #12
Iowa's Offense SP+ Rating: 32.1  #37
Iowa's Defense SP+ Rating: 14.2  #6

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 916.78
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81

Power Ratings Matchup
Iowa: 13.67   Illinois: 15.54

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Iowa: 19.7   Illinois: 12.9




Illinois's Power Ratings
Illinois's Power Rating: 15.54  #27
Illinois's Offense Rating: 19.46  #24
Illinois's Defense Rating: 11.28  #37
2026 Talent Rating: 914.00  #31
Blue Chip Ratio: 9  #44
Illinois's 2026 Expected Record: 8.3 - 3.7
Illinois's 2026 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 916.78
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81


Iowa Scoring
Offense: 29.3 PPG
Offense on Road: 29.8
Defense: 16.1 PPG
Defense on Road: 17.2

Iowa's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Iowa 25
Illinois 24


Projected Total Points: 49
Illinois Scoring
Offense: 29.4 PPG
Offense at Home: 31.3
Defense: 23.6 PPG
Defense at Home: 14.4

Illinois's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202311/18Iowa15Illinois13Iowa -2.5Illinois33.5Under
202210/08Illinois9Iowa6Illinois -3.5Iowa36.5Under
202111/20Iowa33Illinois23Iowa -12Illinois37.5Over
202012/05Illinois21Iowa35Iowa -13.5Iowa53.0Over
201911/23Iowa19Illinois10Iowa -15Illinois48.5Under
201811/17Illinois0Iowa63Iowa -15.5Iowa60.0Over
201710/07Iowa45Illinois16Iowa -16Iowa42.5Over
201611/19Illinois0Iowa28Iowa -10Iowa45.5Under
201510/10Iowa29Illinois20Iowa -10Illinois47.0Over
201411/15Illinois14Iowa30Iowa -3Iowa0
200811/01Illinois27Iowa24
200710/13Iowa10Illinois6
200609/23Illinois7Iowa24
200510/01Iowa35Illinois7
200410/30Illinois13Iowa23
200311/01Iowa41Illinois10
200010/13Illinois31Iowa0
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Illinois345 Overs
Iowa1464 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams11 - 61 - 91 - 50 - 4
Road Teams6 - 119 - 14 - 05 - 1

(#26) IOWA at (#27) ILL
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatIOWAILL
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #26 #27
SP+SP+ #12 #24
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #41 #31
Blue ChipsBC% #26 #44
Iowa Notes
(2/14) Vibes: Good, but desperate for decent Offense
(2/1) 64th (of 68) in P4 Returning Production. Rebuild?
(2/1) QB1? H. Brown vs J. Hecklinski (both '25 Portals)
(2/1) RB Moulton (RB1 LY) + Phillips (SD Portal, 1.8K)
(2/1) WR can James (Fur Portal) help? Big bodied depth
(2/1) OL 2 starters back but good depth w some exp
(2/1) DL 4 G5/FCS portal adds. V Green but has parts
(2/1) LB 1 back, good talented depth but unproven
(2/1) CBs are great, took 4 portals at S (3 starters)
Iowa Injury Report
Illinois Notes
(2/17) Vibes: V high, 19 wins in past 2, love HC B.B.
(2/9) New DC Bobby Hauck was Montana's HC (7 yrs)
(2/7) Getting CB Scott back after missing LY a huge boost
(2/4) QB Houser (ECU) a great add. No proven depth
(2/4) RB has top 3 back. Very good stable w depth
(2/4) WR has 4 exp'd & productive starters. Nice rotation
(2/4) OL rebuild w 2 portals & 3 JUCO's. Big ?
(2/4) DL counting on 5 G5 portals. Have exp but ?
(2/4) LB should be good unit w exp and depth options
(2/4) DBs return a lot but torched LY. Must improve
(2/4) Lots of ? esp on lines. Counting on a lot that's new
Illinois Injury Report
Iowa on Offense
Very Run heavy Offense 60%, Pass: 38%
CategoryCat
IOWA OffILL Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #45 #114
ExplosiveExp #132 #37
PPAPPA #73 #96
PowerPwr #49 #37
SP+SP+ #37 #41
Pts POPPO #20 #125
HavocHav #6 #75
Iowa Run Game
Very Run heavy Offense 60%, Pass: 38%
CategoryCat
IOWA OffILL Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #16 #53
Run ExplRExp #98 #51
PPAExp #34 #50
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #15 #70
Stuff RateStuff #15 #70
TackleTak - NR
Iowa Pass Game
Very Run heavy Offense 60%, Pass: 38%
CategoryCat
IOWA OffILL Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #97 #133
Pass ExplPExl #68 #5
PPAExp #71 #102
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #32 #80
DB HavocDB #4 #67
Illinois on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCatILL OffIOWA Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #15 #29
ExplosiveExp #118 #8
PPAPPA #39 #26
PowerPwr #24 #19
SP+SP+ #27 #6
Pts POPPO #29 #38
HavocHav #70 #42
Illinois Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
ILL OffIOWA Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #15 #54
Run ExplRExp #131 #33
PPAExp #87 #53
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #52 #75
Stuff RateStuff #81 #71
TackleTak - NR
Illinois Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCatILL OffIOWA Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #14 #25
Pass ExplPExl #56 #8
PPAExp #21 #30
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #87 #52
DB HavocDB #51 #32
Program Comparison
ILL 5 Year Profile: Consistent Average P4
'26 Profile: Up to Top 25 Contenders

IOWA 5 Year Profile: Consistent CFP Hopefuls
'26 Profile: Remains CFP Hopefuls

Weather Forecast
Playing in Memorial Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Iowa beat Illinois in 2023 (15-13)

  
IOWA's OC Tim Lester (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Hank Brown112152%107115.1
Jeremy Hecklinski22100%8004.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
L.J. Phillips Jr. (Tr)2811860196.667
Kamari Moulton17087855.234
Xavier Williams4928535.843
Nathan Mcneil3716904.624
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Tony Diaz (Tr)678811113.175
Evan James (Tr)65796712.261
DJ Vonnahme29434315.051
Reece Vander Zee15219214.629

View Iowa's Full Roster

IOWA's DC Phil Parker (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Zach Lutmer716107
Tyler Brown (Tr)715105
Jayden Montgomery441022
Deshaun Lee341006
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Lance Ingold (Tr)172220
Zach Lutmer716107
Tyler Brown (Tr)715105
Kahmari Brown (Tr)31000
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Zach Lutmer716107
Deshaun Lee341006
Tyler Brown (Tr)715105

ILL's OC Barry Lunney Jr. (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Katin Houser (Tr)26940866%33001968.1
Ty Robinson (Tr)2367%770025.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Ca'Lil Valentine13161444.725
Kaden Feagin12250774.226
Aidan Laughery7538235.157
Katin Houser (Tr)8519392.314
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Alex Perry (Tr)56840915.064
Jayshon Platt (Tr)46720515.748
Collin Dixon35548515.761
Hudson Clement36454312.627

View Illinois's Full Roster

ILL's DC Bobby Hauck (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Matthew Bailey764012
Robert Edmonson (Tr)474150
William Holmes (Tr)457250
James Thompson Jr.403221
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Darrell Prater (Tr)214400
William Holmes (Tr)457250
James Thompson Jr.403221
Joe Barna202212
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaheim Clarke301007
James Kreutz304003
Deuce Fillmore (Tr)390003