Illinois vs.
Illinois · DukeNo, this isn't a men's college basketball game. These two teams are meeting on the football field for the second straight season.
The Illinois Fighting Illini take on the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday in a Week 2 college football matchup on FS1. Katin Houser threw three touchdown passes and added another on the ground in his Fighting Illini debut.
Two of those scores went to wide receiver Collin Dixon, while Ca'Lil Valentine led the game with 88 rushing yards and found the end zone. Illinois' defense also got in on the scoring with a pick-six.
Duke, meanwhile, had to replace one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Darian Mensah, turning to San Jose State transfer Walker Eget. In his Blue Devils debut, Eget completed 50% of his passes for 131 yards and no touchdowns.
KEY POINTS
- Illinois vs. Duke Prediction, Odds, Pick For College Football Week 2.
- Illinois dominated Duke 45-19 in Week 1 last season, but both teams enter this year's matchup with new quarterbacks leading the way.
- Both programs opened the 2026 season with wins, as Duke defeated Tulane 17-3 and Illinois beat UAB 42-23.
- Bret Bielema's team has now won six straight season openers and will look to start 2-0 for the third consecutive season.