Northwestern at Illinois - 2026 Matchup Preview
Northwestern logo Northwestern Wildcats at Illinois Fighting IlliniIllinois logo
Saturday, November 28th 2026 (12:00 PM EST)
Memorial Stadium - Champaign, IL

 
Wildcats (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach David Braun (19 - 19)
Avg Score : 23 - 20 (15 - 26 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
NW 3rd straight Road Game
ILL 2nd straight Home Game
ILL is playing their 6th straight game
NW is playing their 11th straight game
Our Line: Illinois -10  (SP+ ILL -7)

Projected Score: NW: 18 - ILL: 28 (46)
ILL Win prob: 77% | Cover: 50%
NW Travel: 139 miles
Fighting Illini (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Bret Bielema (37 - 26)
Avg Score : 29 - 24 (31 - 14 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Northwestern's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Northwestern vs South Dakota State-27
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/19 Northwestern vs Colorado-14
Sat 9/26 Northwestern at Indiana+28
Sat 10/3 Northwestern vs Penn State+9
Sat 10/10 Northwestern vs Ball State-27.5
Sat 10/17 Northwestern at Michigan State-3
Sat 10/24 Northwestern vs Rutgers-7
Sat 10/31 Northwestern at Oregon+24.5
Sat 11/7 Northwestern vs Iowa+7.5
Sat 11/14 Northwestern at Ohio State+28.5
Sat 11/21 Northwestern at Minnesota+3
Sat 11/28 Northwestern at Illinois+10

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Northwestern's Schedule
Illinois's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Illinois vs UAB-30.5
Sat 9/12 Illinois vs Duke-9
Sat 9/19 Illinois vs Southern Illinois-34.5
Sat 9/26 Illinois at Ohio State+21
Sat 10/3 Illinois vs Purdue-16.5
Sat 10/10 Illinois at Michigan State-10.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/24 Illinois vs Oregon+12
Sat 10/31 Illinois at Maryland-6.5
Sat 11/7 Illinois vs Nebraska-8
Sat 11/14 Illinois at UCLA-10.5
Sat 11/21 Illinois vs Iowa+0.5
Sat 11/28 Illinois vs Northwestern-10

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

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
NW#83 (.15)43% (57)23.446% (46)2.97 (64)16142% (66)1863.21 (116)#72 (.17)45% (117)19.847% (119)44% (101)3.37 (41)33.81.61.5
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
NW0%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
NW Offense1323.415.243.2%3.211.6203471611864.751%47%46%42%17%.15
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
NW Defense1319.82645.3%3.371.5 - - - - - 52%46%47%44%15%.17
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
Northwestern1332:1819.743%59%4.233.81.61.541.8028.5
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
NW Offense1351% (57)46% (46)34.5160.94.716 (99).14 (58)2.97 (64)76% (41)8% (33)0.91 (92)
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
NW Defense1352% (91)47% (119) - - - - .18 (108)3.16 (113)71% (63)9% (93)0.99 (85)
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
NW Offense1347% (81)42% (66)17.229.1185.96.410.817 (75)13 (108).21 (85)1.5 (97)30% (46)33% (33).31 (66)9% (130)1.8 (128)
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
NW Defense1346% (38)44% (101) - - - - - - 9 (75).24 (63)1.4 (6)28% (119)34% (120).32 (82)6% (62)1.8 (20)
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)

Northwestern's Power Ratings
Northwestern's Power Rating: 1.49  #59
Northwestern's Offense Rating: 11.07  #66
Northwestern's Defense Rating: 14.58  #52
2026 Talent Rating: 886.00  #28
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #24
Northwestern's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Northwestern's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 5.8  #51
Northwestern's Offense SP+ Rating: 24.4  #90
Northwestern's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.0  #30

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18

Power Ratings Matchup
Northwestern: 1.49   Illinois: 13.45

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Northwestern: 5.8   Illinois: 12.9




Illinois's Power Ratings
Illinois's Power Rating: 13.45  #28
Illinois's Offense Rating: 16.72  #27
Illinois's Defense Rating: 12.72  #36
2026 Talent Rating: 876.00  #30
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #24
Illinois's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
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 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18


Northwestern Scoring
Offense: 23.4 PPG
Offense on Road: 15.2
Defense: 19.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 26

Northwestern'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
Illinois 28
Northwestern 18


Projected Total Points: 46
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
202511/29Illinois20Northwestern13Illinois -7Push44.5Under
202411/30Northwestern28Illinois38Illinois -8.5Illinois42.5Over
202311/25Illinois43Northwestern45Illinois -5Northwestern46.5Over
202211/26Northwestern3Illinois41Illinois -15.0Illinois38.0Over
202111/27Illinois47Northwestern14Illinois -7Illinois45.0Over
202012/12Northwestern28Illinois10Northwestern -13Northwestern41.0Under
201911/30Illinois10Northwestern29Illinois -6.5Northwestern38.0Over
201811/24Northwestern24Illinois16Northwestern -14.5Illinois56.0Under
201711/25Illinois7Northwestern42Northwestern -16.5Northwestern46.0Over
201611/26Northwestern42Illinois21Northwestern -15Northwestern48.5Over
201511/28Illinois14Northwestern24Northwestern -3.5Northwestern42.0Under
201411/29Northwestern33Illinois47Northwestern -9Illinois0
201311/30Illinois34Northwestern37Northwestern -4Illinois0
201211/24Northwestern50Illinois14
201110/01Illinois38Northwestern35
201011/20Northwestern27Illinois48
200911/14Illinois16Northwestern21
200811/22Northwestern27Illinois10
200711/17Illinois41Northwestern22
200611/18Northwestern27Illinois16
200511/19Illinois21Northwestern38
200411/20Northwestern28Illinois21
200311/22Illinois20Northwestern37
200111/22Illinois34Northwestern28
200011/17Northwestern61Illinois23
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Illinois967 Overs
Northwestern1664 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams13 - 124 - 83 - 41 - 4
Road Teams12 - 138 - 44 - 14 - 3

(#59) NW at (#28) ILL
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatNWILL
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #59 #28
SP+SP+ #51 #24
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #28 #30
Blue ChipsBC% #24 #24
Northwestern on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
NW OffILL Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #57 #114
ExplosiveExp #108 #37
PPAPPA #83 #96
PowerPwr #66 #36
SP+SP+ #90 #41
Pts POPPO #116 #125
HavocHav #94 #75
Northwestern Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
NW OffILL Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #46 #53
Run ExplRExp #92 #51
PPAExp #58 #50
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #64 #70
Stuff RateStuff #48 #70
TackleTak - NR
Northwestern Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
NW OffILL Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #66 #133
Pass ExplPExl #97 #5
PPAExp #85 #102
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #33 #80
DB HavocDB #130 #67
Illinois on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCatILL OffNW Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #15 #117
ExplosiveExp #118 #12
PPAPPA #39 #72
PowerPwr #27 #52
SP+SP+ #27 #30
Pts POPPO #29 #41
HavocHav #70 #83
Illinois Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
ILL OffNW Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #15 #119
Run ExplRExp #131 #85
PPAExp #87 #108
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #52 #113
Stuff RateStuff #81 #118
TackleTak - NR
Illinois Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCatILL OffNW Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #14 #101
Pass ExplPExl #56 #6
PPAExp #21 #63
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #87 #93
DB HavocDB #51 #62
Program Comparison
ILL 5 Year Profile: Consistent Average P4
'26 Profile: Up to Top 25 Contenders

NW 5 Year Profile: Improving Top G5
'26 Profile: Up to Below Avg P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in Memorial Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Illinois beat Northwestern last year (20-13)
Illinois beat Northwestern in 2024 (38-28)
Northwestern beat Illinois in 2023 (45-43)

  
NW's OC Chip Kelly (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Aidan Chiles (Tr)12820363%13921036.9
Ryan Boe2729%17012.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Caleb Komolafe190941115.056
Gavin Sawchuk (Tr)10948684.540
Joseph Himon II9948614.937
Aidan Chiles (Tr)8122762.864
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Griffin Wilde71880812.449
Hayden Eligon Ii37521314.138
Ricky Ahumaraeze10200020.035
Drew Wagner2217227.840

View Northwestern's Full Roster

NW's DC Tim McGarigle (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Robert Fitzgerald1066014
Braydon Brus815344
Braden Turner522012
Michael Kilbane428481
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Michael Kilbane428481
Braydon Brus815344
Mason Green11100
Kobie McKinzie (Tr)327140
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Josh Fussell291009
Brenden Deasfernandes (Tr)250008
Robert Fitzgerald1066014

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 Aaron Henry (been DC for 3 years)
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