Illinois is picked to finish ninth in the loaded Big Ten, according to Athlon Sports' 2026 college football preview. The prediction comes from the magazine's annual edition, spotted recently at a Champaign-Urbana bookstore.
This forecast places the Fighting Illini in the middle of a deep and competitive conference. The Big Ten has expanded in recent years, adding top-tier programs that elevate the overall difficulty of the schedule.
Athlon Sports projects a third consecutive bowl appearance for Illinois, a sign of steady progress under the current coaching staff. The program last achieved such a stretch in the early 1990s.
Meeting this projection will require strong play in key matchups against ranked conference foes. Success hinges on development at quarterback and defensive consistency.
Athlon Sports is a long-established college football preview magazine, but its predictions are just one of many preseason forecasts. Actual performance will depend on health and execution when the season begins.