The 2024 Illinois Fighting Illini football schedule will be the 135th season of college football played by the Illinois Fighting Illini football team and its eighth in the Big Ten Conference. The Illini will play their home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. The schedule will be announced in February 2024.

The Fighting Illini will open the season at home against the Eastern Illinois Panthers of the FCS on August 31, 2024. The following week, they will travel to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes in Kinnick Stadium. The Illini will then have their home opener against the Western Michigan Broncos on September 14, 2024.

After a bye week, the Illini will begin their Big Ten schedule with a road game against the Indiana Hoosiers on September 28, 2024. The Illini will then return home to face the Purdue Boilermakers on October 5, 2024.

Illinois Football Schedule 2024

Here are six important points about the Illinois Football Schedule 2024:

• Season opener: Eastern Illinois Panthers (August 31, 2024)
• Home opener: Western Michigan Broncos (September 14, 2024)
• Big Ten opener: at Indiana Hoosiers (September 28, 2024)
• Rivalry game: at Northwestern Wildcats (November 23, 2024)
• Home finale: Minnesota Golden Gophers (November 30, 2024)
• Potential bowl game: TBD

The Illini will look to improve on their 8-5 record from the 2023 season and make a bowl game for the second consecutive year.

Season opener: Eastern Illinois Panthers (August 31, 2024)

The Illinois Fighting Illini will open the 2024 season at home against the Eastern Illinois Panthers of the FCS on August 31, 2024. This will be the first meeting between the two schools.

• FCS opponent: The Panthers are a member of the FCS, which is the second-highest level of college football in the United States. This means that the Illini will be heavily favored in this game.
• Home field advantage: The Illini will be playing their first game of the season at home in Memorial Stadium. This will give them a significant advantage over the Panthers.
• Chance to start the season strong: A win against the Panthers would give the Illini a good start to the season and build momentum for their Big Ten opener against Indiana the following week.
• Opportunity for young players to shine: The Illini have a number of young players who are expected to contribute this season. The season opener against the Panthers could be a good opportunity for these players to get some experience and make a name for themselves.

Overall, the season opener against the Eastern Illinois Panthers is a good opportunity for the Illinois Fighting Illini to start the season strong and build momentum for the rest of the year.

Home opener: Western Michigan Broncos (September 14, 2024)

The Illinois Fighting Illini will play their home opener on September 14, 2024, against the Western Michigan Broncos. This will be the first meeting between the two schools.

• Group of Five opponent: The Broncos are a member of the Group of Five, which is the second-highest level of college football in the United States. This means that the Illini will be favored in this game, but it is still a game that they need to take seriously.
• Home field advantage: The Illini will be playing their second game of the season at home in Memorial Stadium. This will give them a significant advantage over the Broncos.
• Chance to build on the season opener: A win against the Broncos would give the Illini a 2-0 start to the season and build momentum for their Big Ten opener against Indiana the following week.
• Opportunity for the offense to shine: The Illini have a number of talented offensive players, including quarterback Tommy DeVito and running back Chase Brown. The home opener against the Broncos could be a good opportunity for these players to put up big numbers.

Overall, the home opener against the Western Michigan Broncos is a good opportunity for the Illinois Fighting Illini to start the season 2-0 and build momentum for the rest of the year.

Big Ten opener: at Indiana Hoosiers (September 28, 2024)

The Illinois Fighting Illini will open their Big Ten schedule on September 28, 2024, with a road game against the Indiana Hoosiers. This will be the 100th meeting between the two schools, with the Illini holding a 55-42-2 advantage in the series.

• Rivalry game: The Illini and Hoosiers have a long and storied rivalry, dating back to 1891. The two schools are located just two hours apart, and the games between them are always competitive.
• Road game: The Illini will be playing their first Big Ten game of the season on the road. This will be a tough test for the Illini, as the Hoosiers are always a tough opponent at home.
• Chance to make a statement: A win against the Hoosiers would be a big statement for the Illini. It would show that they are a team to be reckoned with in the Big Ten.
• Opportunity for the defense to shine: The Illini have a number of talented defensive players, including linebacker Seth Coleman and defensive back Devon Witherspoon. The Big Ten opener against the Hoosiers could be a good opportunity for these players to make some big plays.

Overall, the Big Ten opener against the Indiana Hoosiers is a big game for the Illinois Fighting Illini. A win would give them a good start to the conference season and build momentum for the rest of the year.

Rivalry game: at Northwestern Wildcats (November 23, 2024)

The Illinois Fighting Illini will play their annual rivalry game against the Northwestern Wildcats on November 23, 2024. This will be the 109th meeting between the two schools, with the Illini holding a 57-45-5 advantage in the series.

• Rivalry game: The Illini and Wildcats have a long and storied rivalry, dating back to 1892. The two schools are located just two hours apart, and the games between them are always competitive.
• Road game: The Illini will be playing the Wildcats on the road in 2024. This will be a tough test for the Illini, as the Wildcats are always a tough opponent at home.
• Chance to win the Land of Lincoln Trophy: The winner of the Illinois-Northwestern game is awarded the Land of Lincoln Trophy. This trophy is a symbol of the rivalry between the two schools.
• Opportunity for the seniors to go out with a win: The rivalry game against the Wildcats will be the final game of the regular season for the Illini seniors. A win in this game would be a great way for them to end their college careers.

Overall, the rivalry game against the Northwestern Wildcats is a big game for the Illinois Fighting Illini. A win would give them bragging rights over their rivals and help them finish the regular season on a high note.

Home finale: Minnesota Golden Gophers (November 30, 2024)

The Illinois Fighting Illini will play their home finale on November 30, 2024, against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. This will be the 107th meeting between the two schools, with the Illini holding a 46-55-5 advantage in the series.

The Golden Gophers are a tough opponent, and the Illini will need to be at their best to win this game. Minnesota has a strong offense, led by quarterback Tanner Morgan and running back Mohamed Ibrahim. The Illini defense will need to be able to stop these two players in order to have a chance to win the game.

The Illini offense will also need to be able to produce points against the Golden Gophers. The Illini have a number of talented offensive players, including quarterback Tommy DeVito and running back Chase Brown. These players will need to have a big game in order to help the Illini win their home finale.

Overall, the home finale against the Minnesota Golden Gophers is a big game for the Illinois Fighting Illini. A win would give them a good finish to the regular season and build momentum for a potential bowl game.

The Illini and Golden Gophers have a long and storied rivalry, dating back to 1890. The two schools have played each other every year since 1946, making it the longest continuous rivalry in the Big Ten. The games between the two schools are always competitive, and the home finale against the Golden Gophers is sure to be a memorable game for the Illini faithful.

Potential bowl game: TBD

The Illinois Fighting Illini are hoping to earn a berth in a bowl game in 2024. The Illini have not been to a bowl game since 2019, and they are eager to make a return to the postseason.

• Eligibility: The Illini need to finish the regular season with a record of at least 6-6 in order to be eligible for a bowl game. If they can do that, they will be one of the teams that is selected to participate in one of the many bowl games that are held each year.
• Possible bowl games: There are a number of different bowl games that the Illini could be selected for. The most likely bowl games for the Illini are the Guaranteed Rate Bowl in Phoenix, Arizona, and the Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tennessee.
• Chance to end the season on a high note: A bowl game would be a great way for the Illini to end the 2024 season on a high note. It would also give the Illini some momentum heading into the 2025 season.
• Opportunity for the players to showcase their skills: A bowl game would also be a great opportunity for the Illini players to showcase their skills on a national stage. This could help them to get noticed by NFL scouts and improve their chances of playing in the NFL.

Overall, the potential bowl game is a big goal for the Illinois Fighting Illini in 2024. A bowl berth would be a sign that the program is headed in the right direction.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about the 2024 Illinois Fighting Illini football schedule:

Question 1: When is the first game of the season?
Answer: The first game of the season is on August 31, 2024, against the Eastern Illinois Panthers.

Question 2: When is the home opener?
Answer: The home opener is on September 14, 2024, against the Western Michigan fieldName.

Question 3: When is the Big Ten opener?
Answer: The Big Ten opener is on September 28, 2024, against the Indiana Hoosiers.

Question 4: When is the rivalry game against Northwestern?
Answer: The rivalry game against Northwestern is on November 23, 2024.

Question 5: When is the home finale?
Answer: The home finale is on November 30, 2024, against the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Question 6: When is the potential bowl game?
Answer: The potential bowl game is in December 2024, but the specific date and opponent will depend on the Illini’s record during the regular season.

Question 7: Where can I find more information about the 2024 Illinois Fighting Illini football schedule?
Answer: You can find more information about the 2024 Illinois Fighting Illini football schedule on the official website of the University of Illinois Athletics Department.

Question 8: How can I purchase tickets for Illinois Fighting Illini football games?
Answer: You can purchase tickets for Illinois Fighting Illini football games online through the official website of the University of Illinois Athletics Department or in person at the Illinois Athletics Ticket Office.

Question 9: What are the COVID-19 protocols for attending Illinois Fighting Illini football games?
Answer: The COVID-19 protocols for attending Illinois Fighting Illini football games will be announced closer to the start of the season. Please check the official website of the University of Illinois Athletics Department for the latest information.

Question 10: What are the security measures in place at Illinois Fighting Illini football games?
Answer: The security measures in place at Illinois Fighting Illini football games are designed to ensure the safety and security of all fans. These measures include bag checks, metal detectors, and a visible police presence. Please be prepared to cooperate with security personnel when attending Illinois Fighting Illini football games.

Question 11: What are the concessions and amenities available at Illinois Fighting Illini football games?
Answer: The concessions and amenities available at Illinois Fighting Illini football games include a variety of food and beverage options, as well as restrooms, ATMs, and merchandise stands. Please note that the availability of specific concessions and amenities may vary depending on the game and the weather.

Question 12: Is tailgating allowed at Illinois Fighting Illini football games?
Answer: Tailgating is allowed at Illinois Fighting Illini football games, but there are certain restrictions in place. Please check the official website of the University of Illinois Athletics Department for more information about tailgating policies.

Question 13: Are pets allowed at Illinois Fighting Illini football games?
Answer: Pets are not allowed at Illinois Fighting Illini football games, with the exception of service animals.

Question 14: Is smoking allowed at Illinois Fighting Illini football games?
Answer: Smoking is not allowed in any public areas of Memorial Stadium, including the stands, concourses, and restrooms.

Question 15: Is alcohol allowed at Illinois Fighting Illini football games?
Answer: Alcohol is allowed at Illinois Fighting Illini football games, but it must be purchased from a licensed vendor. Alcohol consumption is prohibited in the stands, but fans are allowed to drink alcohol in the concourses and other designated areas.

These are just some of the most frequently asked questions about the 2024 Illinois Fighting Illini football schedule. For more information, please visit the official website of the University of Illinois Athletics Department.

In addition to the FAQ section, here are some additional tips for attending Illinois Fighting Illini football games:

Tips

Here are some tips for attending Illinois Fighting Illini football games in 2024:

Tip 1: Arrive early.
Traffic and parking can be congested around Memorial Stadium on game days, so it is important to arrive early to avoid missing any of the action.

Tip 2: Wear comfortable shoes.
You will be doing a lot of walking on game day, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes that you can stand in for long periods of time.

Tip 3: Bring sunscreen and a hat.
Memorial Stadium is an outdoor stadium, so it is important to protect yourself from the sun. Bring sunscreen and a hat to keep yourself cool and protected.

Tip 4: Be prepared for weather changes.
The weather in Champaign, Illinois, can be unpredictable, so it is important to be prepared for weather changes. Bring a raincoat or poncho in case of rain, and a jacket or sweater in case of cold weather.

By following these tips, you can ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable experience at Illinois Fighting Illini football games in 2024.

In addition to the tips above, here are some additional things to keep in mind when attending Illinois Fighting Illini football games:

Conclusion

The 2024 Illinois Fighting Illini football schedule is an exciting one, with a number of key games on the schedule. The Illini will open the season at home against the Eastern Illinois Panthers, before hosting the Western Michigan Broncos in their home opener. The Big Ten opener will be on the road against the Indiana Hoosiers, and the Illini will also play their annual rivalry game against the Northwestern Wildcats at home. The home finale will be against the Minnesota Golden Gophers, and the Illini will be hoping to finish the regular season with a strong performance.

If the Illini can finish the regular season with a record of at least 6-6, they will be eligible for a bowl game. A bowl game would be a great way for the Illini to end the season on a high note and build momentum for the 2025 season.

Overall, the 2024 Illinois Fighting Illini football schedule is a challenging one, but it is also an exciting one. The Illini have a number of talented players, and they will be looking to make a statement in the Big Ten in 2024.

We hope you enjoyed this article about the 2024 Illinois Fighting Illini football schedule. Be sure to check back for more updates on the Illini football team throughout the season.