UAB
Illinois
1:00 AM · Memorial Stadium (Champaign, IL)
Fan take
What’s at stake
Illinois
- Illinois sits at 1% to make the CFP field — 1% with a win here, 0% with a loss.
- Illinois is coming off a 19-point win.
UAB
- UAB is still shaking off a 19-point loss.
The series
Illinois leads the series 1-0
1 meeting since 2026 · Illinois won the last meeting
- 2026Illinois 42–23
Best players
Illinois
- Matthew Bailey (DB) · 8 tackles
- Ismael Kante (LB) · 6 tackles
- Ca'Lil Valentine (RB) · 88 rushing yards
UAB
- Eli Ennis (LB) · 8 tackles
- Muaaz Byard (LB) · 7 tackles
- Brandon Franklin (LB) · 7 tackles
The line, and the room
UAB fans are feeling better about their season (74th percentile) than Illinois fans are (46th) — even with Illinois favored here.
- Model · 60%
- Market · 98%
- Illinois fans · 46th
- UAB fans · 74th
Home −25.5 · O/U 54.5
Conditions
79°F · 3 mph wind · Fair
Home-field advantage: Strong
Illinois is 58% at home, 44% on the road since 2018 (30-22 home, 17-22 away).
UAB 23 – Illinois 42
Called it — picked Illinois to win.
Players to watch
Illinois
- Matthew Bailey DB8 Tackles
- Ismael Kante LB6 Tackles
- Ca'Lil Valentine RB88 Rushing yards
- Collin Dixon WR70 Receiving yards
- Joe Barna DL5 Tackles
UAB
- Eli Ennis LB8 Tackles
- Muaaz Byard LB7 Tackles
- Brandon Franklin LB7 Tackles
- Ryder Burton QB219 Passing yards
- Darrell Sweeting DB5 Tackles
The market
Spread: −27.5 → −25.5
Book hold: 3.5%
Illinois beat UAB 42-23 — exactly what the pregame pick had.