After a strong start to the season, the Illinois Fighting Illini football team will hit pause for a bye week.
The 25th-ranked Fighting Illini have a pair of wins against ranked opponents (vs. Kansas and at Nebraska), but are coming off a 21-7 loss to No. 7 Penn State. The Illini are poised to make a run toward a bowl game.
Coach Bret Bielema and the Illini come back from the bye to host Purdue (1-3) before facing their two toughest remaining opponents — at home vs. No. 10 Michigan and on the road at No. 6 Oregon.
Here’s all you need to know about Illinois’ schedule in Week 6 and onward:
The Fighting Illini will not play Saturday, which serves as their first of two byes of the season, following Week 5. Illinois also has a bye in Week 11.
Every team in the Football Bowl Subdivision gets two byes this season because of an NCAA by-law that prohibits FBS teams from playing a game before the first Thursday before Labor Day.
Friday’s game
Saturday’s games
Below is Illinois’ 2024 college football schedule, including its Week 6 bye on Saturday, with TV info; all times are CT.
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