Week 1 · College Football
UAB vs Illinois prediction
The TailgateNinjas model gives Illinois a 96% chance to beat UAB in this College Football matchup. Updated August 29, 2026.
#122 American Athletic Conference
UAB
0% to make the 12
@
#29 Big Ten Conference
Illinois
14% to make the 12
The model's read
SpreadIllinois −27.5Vegas
Projected scoreUAB 12 — Illinois 40
Illinois is a heavy favorite — 96% in the model. Upset alert if it's close.
Chaos meter7 · CHALK
7/ 100
CalmMayhem
UAB
4%
to win
Illinois
96%
to win
Who wins?
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Tale of the tape
2025 efficiency · ranksUABIllinois#58Offense · EPA/play#39
#135Defense · EPA/play#98
#39Explosiveness#117
#58Success rate#15
73%Returning production53%
National ranks from last season (1 = best). The 2026 outlook builds on this.
Both sidelines
via Google NewsWhat UAB is hearing
What Illinois is hearing
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