Week 13 · College Football
Illinois vs Northwestern prediction
The TailgateNinjas model gives Illinois a 59% chance to beat Northwestern in this College Football matchup. Updated August 29, 2026.
#29 Big Ten Conference
Illinois
14% to make the 12
#45 Big Ten Conference
Northwestern
3% to make the 12
The model's read
A coin flip. The model nudges Illinois by a field goal — 59% to win.
Illinois
59%
to win
Northwestern
41%
to win
Who wins?
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Tale of the tape
2025 efficiency · ranksIllinoisNorthwesternNational ranks from last season (1 = best). The 2026 outlook builds on this.
Series history
119 meetings all-timeIllinois leads 59–55–5
Last met 2025 · Illinois 20–13 Northwestern— Illinois won
Both sidelines
via Google NewsWhat Illinois is hearing
What Northwestern is hearing
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