PEORIA — The Illinois Fighting Illini are gearing up for the start of the 2026 college football season, with an exciting opener scheduled against the University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) on Thursday night. This matchup marks the first time these two teams will meet on the football field, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the contest.
Under the leadership of head coach Bret Bielema, the Fighting Illini have established themselves as a competitive force in the Big Ten, achieving three consecutive winning seasons. The previous season culminated in a successful 9-4 record, highlighted by a thrilling victory over #23-ranked Tennessee in the Music City Bowl, where Illinois secured a 30-28 win with a last-second field goal.
The game against UAB is set to kick off at 8 p.m. at Gies Memorial Stadium, where Illinois is heavily favored, with most betting services placing the point spread at 27.5 points. This significant spread reflects the expectations surrounding the Illini as they look to continue their upward trajectory in the conference.
As the season begins, Illinois finds itself receiving votes in both the Coaches Poll and the AP Top 25, sitting just outside the rankings. The Illini have the fourth-best record in the Big Ten over the past two seasons, boasting a 19-7 mark. This success is underscored by the fact that Illinois achieved back-to-back seasons with nine or more wins for the first time in program history, with ten wins in 2024 and nine in 2025.
Despite the loss of key players to the NFL Draft, including outside linebacker Gabe Jacas and offensive lineman J.C. Davis, Illinois enters the season with a wealth of experience. The team’s roster is ranked among the most seasoned in the nation, with 1,438 career games played and 476 career starts. This depth will be crucial as the Illini transition to a new starting quarterback, Katin Houser, a fifth-year transfer from Michigan State and East Carolina.
On the other side of the field, UAB is under the direction of head coach Alex Mortensen, who is embarking on his first full season with the program. The Blazers finished the previous season with a 4-8 record and have undergone significant roster changes, featuring 43 transfers and 19 freshmen. Redshirt junior quarterback Ryder Burton will lead UAB's offense, having appeared in nine games last season and making two starts.
As the teams prepare for their season opener, predictions for the game vary. Journal Star's Dave Eminian forecasts a score of Illinois 38, UAB 14, acknowledging the challenge of covering the large point spread, especially with a new quarterback at the helm. Meanwhile, Adam Duvall is more optimistic, predicting a dominant performance from the Illini with a score of Illinois 56, UAB 14, citing the team's recent success and home-field advantage.
As kickoff approaches, all eyes will be on Gies Memorial Stadium to see if the Fighting Illini can continue their winning ways against a UAB team looking to make a statement in its season opener.
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