Illinois Football’s Bowl Game Options After Strong Season
The Illinois Fighting Illini have concluded their best regular season in nearly 20 years and could be in line for a prestigious bowl game as a reward for their performance.
Illinois defeated Northwestern at Wrigley Field on Saturday, reclaiming the Land of Lincoln Trophy and finishing the regular season with a 9-3 record, their best since 2007 when they also won nine games.
In 2007, Illinois played in the Rose Bowl, but with that game now serving as a College Football Playoff quarterfinal, the Illini will need to look to other prominent postseason matchups.
Here’s a look at Illinois’ potential bowl game options and the factors influencing their selection.
College Football Playoff Expansion a Key Factor
Illinois finished fifth in the Big Ten with a 6-3 conference record and a 9-3 overall record. While they may not make the College Football Playoff, they are still in contention for one of the top non-playoff bowl games in the Big Ten.
This is due to the potential for up to four Big Ten teams to make the College Football Playoff this year. Oregon, ranked No. 1, will secure a spot regardless of the outcome of their conference championship game against Penn State. Penn State is also likely to make the playoffs, though a loss could affect their seeding. Even with a two-loss record, Ohio State is expected to qualify for the playoff, and Indiana is also in strong contention despite their recent loss to Ohio State.
If all four of these teams make the playoff, Illinois would be the highest-ranked available Big Ten team for a bowl bid.
Which Bowl Could Illinois Play In?
At this point, it looks like Illinois will be headed to Florida for their bowl game, though the exact destination is still uncertain.
The most likely option is the Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on New Year’s Eve, where Illinois would face the top non-playoff SEC team, likely Alabama or South Carolina. Illinois has faced Alabama once before, losing the 1982 Liberty Bowl, but has never played South Carolina.
Another possibility is the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, also on New Year’s Eve. This game could feature Illinois against an SEC team, with Texas A&M, Alabama, or South Carolina as potential opponents, depending on the final College Football Playoff rankings.
The Music City Bowl in Nashville or the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte are less likely destinations for Illinois.
When Will Illinois Know Their Bowl Destination?
The official bowl schedule will be released following the announcement of the College Football Playoff rankings on Sunday, December 8, after the conference championship games.
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