College Football Playoff Bubble Watch after Week 9
A conference-by-conference look at which teams are contending for the playoff, who's close and who's out.
Illinois Fighting Illini
cfb5–3 (3–2 Big Ten)Coach Bret Bielema
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- Nebraska HC Matt Rhule shares disturbing fan encounter involving daughter after Washington lossNebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule met reporters on Monday in Lincoln with a 17-10 loss to the Washington Huskies behind him and a Friday trip to the Illinois Fighting Illini ahead. The session covered turnovers, play calling and a coaching move to the press box, but the answer that traveled furthest concerned one of […] The post Nebraska HC Matt Rhule shares disturbing fan encounter involving daughter after Washington loss appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.
- Five storylines to watch for 2026-27 Ohio State women’s basketball seasonThe wait is over. Ohio State women’s basketball returns to the court Monday to start the 2026-27 season. While a matchup against the University of Illinois Chicago is not the brightest beginning to the new campaign, and might not be too close after the first few minutes, it is a basketball game that counts. Head […]
- How to Watch Illinois vs. Nebraska: Game Time, TV Channel, Online Streaming and OddsLooking to be bowl eligible.
- Nebraska and Illinois meet in Big Ten actionNebraska (5-3) at Illinois (5-3), Nov. 6 at 8 p.m. EST.
- Seeds of optimism for Maryland football after Illinois loss | TAKEAWAYSCritics will argue that despite firing coach Mike Locksley and replacing him with interim coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim, Maryland football hasn’t changed. And that’s difficult to challenge after the Terps sustained their sixth consecutive loss via Saturday’s 20-17 setback to Illinois at SECU Stadium in College Park. But a reversal can take time, and for now, even a small step can be relished. Take ...
- Second-round playoff pairings: 2026 IHSA football brackets, schedule for Peoria-area teamsThe 2026 Illinois high school football playoffs second-round pairings are set for Peoria-area teams. See the entire IHSA bracket and schedule.
- UNLV survives Halloween fright against Northern IllinoisLAS VEGAS—It was fitting that a Halloween night in Las Vegas would see the football equivalent of a slasher movie play out.
- Oregon Ducks Football vs Northwestern Wildcats Football RecapThe Oregon Ducks were looking to rebound after a loss on the road at Illinois the previous week. The major fallout from the upset loss against the Illini being the dismissal of offensive coordinator Drew Merhinger. The biggest storyline coming into the game against the Wildcats was how would Oregon’s offence perform after the major […]
- That’s three in a row; Illinois walks-off Maryland to extend streakMoczulski game winner and big fourth quarter comeback fuel Illini victory.
- 3 Game Balls for Illinois' 20-17 Road Win Over MarylandThe Illinois Fighting Illini scored a huge gut-check win over the Terrapins on the road. These players deserve recognition.
- Illinois HC Bret Bielema Gets Honest About Michael Clayton II's PlayIllinois football coach Bret Bielema has weighed in on fill-in quarterback Michael Clayton II's game thus far for the up-and-down Illini.
- Illinois vs. Maryland Preview: How to Watch, Injury Report & OddsHere's everything you need to know before the Illinois Fighting Illini face the Maryland Terrapins on the road:
- 4 Unsung Heroes for Illinois Football This SeasonIllinois football is still in the hunt for a prime bowl game, and these players are a big reason why.
- Illinois QB Katin Houser a Gametime Decision for Maryland GameIllinois' starting quarterback could take the field against the Terrapins in College Park, Maryland.
- Oregon makes official Dylan Raiola decision for Northwestern clash after ugly Illinois outingOregon Ducks quarterback Dylan Raiola has been involved in a quarterback controversy with Brock Thomas ever since Dante Moore’s frightening concussion suffered in Los Angeles against the USC Trojans, and hasn’t played up to his capabilities this season based on his past body of work with Nebraska. Moore is still expected to be a first-round NFL […] The post Oregon makes official Dylan Raiola decision for Northwestern clash after ugly Illinois outing appeared first on ClutchPoints.
- Figuring out new-look Terrapins easier said than doneOct. 30—CHAMPAIGN — Get ready for anything. That's the approach Illinois football coach Bret Bielema is taking going into an 11 a.m. Saturday kickoff at Maryland. Since they last played on Oct. 17, losing 37-30 at Rutgers, the Terrapins have dumped Bielema's friend, Mike Locksley, and replaced him on an interim basis with Aazaar Abdul-Rahim. "When the transition happened at first, my thing was ...
- Rhea turning D-II success into D-I opportunityOct. 30—CHAMPAIGN — Ean Rhea's performance in his Illinois football debut was impressive. The former Division II All-American made five tackles — four solo — and notched the first sack of the season for the Illini defense by taking down UAB quarterback Ryder Burton. Worth noting not just among his teammates and coaches. It was, in fact, a performance that resonated more than 500 miles away. An ...
- Maryland football vs. Illinois previewThe Terps look to reset as interim head coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim takes the reins for the final five games.
- Jahmiere Daniels-Portis' decision gives new life to Illinois football in recruitment of 2027 linebackerBret Bielema has been searching for an answer for the Illinois football defense, and he may have just found one in a player who reopened his recruitment.
- Key Players To Watch In Illinois Vs. MarylandA new era of Maryland football begins Saturday at home against Illinois. Aazaar Abdul-Rahim leads the Terps in hopes of ending a five-game skid.
- Betting the Big Ten surveys the carnage in the middle of the conferenceFor as disastrous as the Michigan football season has been, at least we’ve had some success here on Betting the Big Ten. In Week 8, the Michigan vs. Indiana under easily (and I mean easily) cashed while UCLA, Minnesota, and Illinois also covered. Our only blemishes were not seeing Wisconsin’s upset coming and falling just […]
- 4 Keys to Victory for Illinois Football at MarylandIllinois faces a potential trap game in College Park, Md. this weekend.
- Week 9 has the ACC in the spotlight and backup QBs taking over the Big TenIt's fitting the ACC is finally in the spotlight after wild weeks in the SEC and Big 12.
- Predictions, how to watch, odds and info on Illinois at Maryland in Big Ten college footballHow to watch, predictions, odds and what to know about Illinois Fighting Illini game against Maryland on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026.