Illinois Fighting Illini 2026 Football Preview.
Illinois · Nebraska · MinnesotaSome of the more headscratching losses over Nebraska’s lost decade have come at the hands of the Illini. Start with Mike Riley’s throw-the-ball-into-a-gale debacle in 2015, the “field a punt at the goal line” mistakes of 2021 or the Dylan Raiola in full retreat overtime offense in 2024.
Almost as bad as against Minnesota; we […] Almost as bad as against Minnesota; we can ridicule the legacy of "Bert" at Arkansas all we want, but Bret Bielema builds winning programs.
Houser completed 64% of his passes for 5,306 yards and 37 touchdowns and 17 interceptions the previous two seasons. This season, he's completing 71% of his passes for 453 yards and six touchdowns with one interception.
Houser is being backed up by redshirt freshmen Michael Clayton and Carson Boyd. He's already more than halfway towards matching those same numbers in 2026 with 17 catches for 236 yards and five touchdowns.
KEY POINTS
- Illinois Fighting Illini 2026 Football Preview.
- But in 2026, the Illini are in a bit of a rebuilding mode.
- Feagin caught 16 passes for 188 yards and two scores last season and as a running back, rushed for 507 yards and seven touchdowns.
- The Illinois defense has to replace their entire front seven and much of the secondary, which raises serious questions in 2026.