Northwestern at Illinois Game Matchup
Northwestern logo Northwestern Wildcats at Illinois Fighting IlliniIllinois logo
Saturday, November 29th 2025 (12:00 AM EST)
Memorial Stadium - Champaign, IL  (Big Ten)

 
Wildcats (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach David Braun (12 - 13)
Avg Score : 18 - 26 (18 - 29 on Road)
Record Prediction: 4.2 - 7.8 (#73)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 3) (Good: 4) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 3)
Our Line: Illinois -13.5    (SP+ -17)
PPG only: NW: 20 - ILL: 27 (47)
NW Win prob: 49% | Cover: 49%
NW Travel: 139 miles
Fighting Illini (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Bret Bielema (27 - 22)
Avg Score : 28 - 22 (32 - 18 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.5 - 3.5 (#19)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 6) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 5)
 
Northwestern's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResult
Sat 8/30 Northwestern at Tulane
Sat 9/6 Northwestern vs Western Illinois
Sat 9/13 Northwestern vs Oregon
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27 Northwestern vs UCLA
Sat 10/4 Northwestern vs UL Monroe
Sat 10/11 Northwestern at Penn State
Sat 10/18 Northwestern vs Purdue
Sat 10/25 Northwestern at Nebraska
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/8 Northwestern at USC
Sat 11/15 Northwestern vs Michigan
Sat 11/22 Northwestern vs Minnesota
Sat 11/29 Northwestern at Illinois
Total: Elite: 3, Good: 4, Avg 2, Bad 1, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 3, Good: 4, Avg 2, Bad 1, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Illinois's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResult
Sat 8/30 Illinois vs Western Illinois
Sat 9/6 Illinois at Duke
Sat 9/13 Illinois vs Western Michigan
Sat 9/20 Illinois at Indiana
Sat 9/27 Illinois vs USC
Sat 10/4 Illinois at Purdue
Sat 10/11 Illinois vs Ohio State
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/25 Illinois at Washington
Sat 11/1 Illinois vs Rutgers
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/15 Illinois vs Maryland
Sat 11/22 Illinois at Wisconsin
Sat 11/29 Illinois vs Northwestern
Total: Elite: 1, Good: 6, Avg 0, Bad 2, Poor 3
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 6, Avg 0, Bad 2, Poor 3
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

NW's OC Zach Lujan vs ILL's DC Aaron Henry     ILL's OC Barry Lunney Jr. vs NW's DC Tim McGarigle

Important Stats (2024)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
NW#129 (.02)37% (123)17.839% (113)2.63 (124)9936% (116)1863.02 (127)#57 (.15)45% (106)26.344% (80)46% (117)3.74 (64)38.81.51.3
ILL#25 (.25)45% (55)28.345% (66)3.14 (51)14044% (41)1984.23 (37)#79 (.18)46% (116)21.750% (129)43% (88)3.48 (41)390.91.5
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
NW0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
ILL0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NW Offense1217.817.637.1%3.021.516285991863.445%54%39%36%19%.02
ILL Defense1321.717.646.3%3.481.5 - - - - - 48%52%50%43%13%.18
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NW Defense1226.328.845%3.741.3 - - - - - 47%53%44%46%15%.15
ILL Offense1328.33244.6%4.230.9193381401984.453%47%45%44%18%.25

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Northwestern1229:491633%50%4.838.81.51.34.81.9328
Illinois1326:5218.744%50%5.1390.91.53.82.2130.2
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
NW Offense1245% (105)39% (113)29.398.63.412 (114).07 (102)2.63 (124)66% (113)11% (100)1.1 (20)
ILL Defense1348% (37)50% (129) - - - - .19 (113)3.57 (133)75% (74)8% (119)0.8 (5)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
NW Defense1247% (26)44% (80) - - - - .07 (41)2.99 (63)69% (47)8% (107)0.86 (15)
ILL Offense1353% (53)45% (66)31.81404.420 (67).13 (57)3.14 (51)81% (22)11% (118)0.91 (57)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NW Offense1254% (32)36% (116)17.632.7186.15.710.67 (130)11 (72).02 (132)1.3 (134)35% (119)31% (81).2 (108)8% (121)1.8 (120)
ILL Defense1352% (98)43% (88) - - - - - - 12 (39).19 (44)1.4 (19)28% (120)34% (113).37 (103)6% (68)1.9 (45)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NW Defense1253% (110)46% (117) - - - - - - 10 (66).25 (76)1.4 (13)27% (128)35% (116).28 (53)7% (33)1.8 (24)
ILL Offense1347% (82)44% (41)15.425.5197.87.812.921 (51)5 (6).38 (17)1.8 (15)31% (73)31% (77).42 (25)6% (94)2.3 (3)

Northwestern's Power Ratings
Northwestern's Power Rating: 3.30 #56
Northwestern's Offense Rating: 11.14 #87
Northwestern's Defense Rating: 7.84 #34
2025 Talent Rating: 840.00 #33
Blue Chip Ratio: 3% #69
Northwestern's 2025 Expected Record: 4.2 - 7.8
Northwestern's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -6.1 #87
Northwestern's Offense SP+ Rating: 17.6 #122
Northwestern's Defense SP+ Rating: 23.7 #39

Northwestern's SP+ Ratings
Northwestern's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -6.1 #87
Northwestern's Offense SP+ Rating: 17.6 #122
Northwestern's Defense SP+ Rating: 23.7 #39

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 903.22
Average Power Five Talent: 862.84
Average FBS Talent: 688.93

Power Ratings Matchup
Northwestern: 3.30   Illinois: 16.56

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Northwestern: -6.1   Illinois: 11.2




Illinois's Power Ratings
Illinois's Power Rating: 16.56 #23
Illinois's Offense Rating: 24.66 #13
Illinois's Defense Rating: 10.10 #47
2025 Talent Rating: 834.00 #35
Blue Chip Ratio: 9 #39
Illinois's 2025 Expected Record: 8.5 - 3.5

Illinois's SP+ Ratings
Illinois's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 11.2 #25
Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 30.5 #37
Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 19.3 #23

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 903.22
Average Power Five Talent: 862.84
Average FBS Talent: 688.93


Northwestern Scoring
Offense: 17.8 PPG
Offense on Road: 17.6
Defense: 26.3 PPG
Defense on Road: 28.8

Northwestern's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Illinois 27
Northwestern 20

Projected Total Points: 47
Illinois Scoring
Offense: 28.3 PPG
Offense at Home: 32
Defense: 21.7 PPG
Defense at Home: 17.6

Illinois's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202411/30Northwestern28Illinois38IllinoisIllinois -8.5Illinois42.5Over
202311/25Illinois43Northwestern45NorthwesternIllinois -5Northwestern46.5Over
202211/26Northwestern3Illinois41IllinoisIllinois -15.0Illinois38.0Over
202111/27Illinois47Northwestern14IllinoisIllinois -7Illinois45.0Over
202012/12Northwestern28Illinois10NorthwesternNorthwestern -13Northwestern41.0Under
201911/30Illinois10Northwestern29NorthwesternIllinois -6.5Northwestern38.0Over
201811/24Northwestern24Illinois16NorthwesternNorthwestern -14.5Illinois56.0Under
201711/25Illinois7Northwestern42NorthwesternNorthwestern -16.5Northwestern46.0Over
201611/26Northwestern42Illinois21NorthwesternNorthwestern -15Northwestern48.5Over
201511/28Illinois14Northwestern24NorthwesternNorthwestern -3.5Northwestern42.0Under
201411/29Northwestern33Illinois47IllinoisNorthwestern -9Illinois0
201311/30Illinois34Northwestern37NorthwesternNorthwestern -4Illinois0
201211/24Northwestern50Illinois14Northwestern
201110/01Illinois38Northwestern35Illinois
201011/20Northwestern27Illinois48Illinois
200911/14Illinois16Northwestern21Northwestern
200811/22Northwestern27Illinois10Northwestern
200711/17Illinois41Northwestern22Illinois
200611/18Northwestern27Illinois16Northwestern
200511/19Illinois21Northwestern38Northwestern
200411/20Northwestern28Illinois21Northwestern
200311/22Illinois20Northwestern37Northwestern
200111/22Illinois34Northwestern28Illinois
200011/17Northwestern61Illinois23Northwestern
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Illinois867 Overs
Northwestern1663 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams12 - 124 - 83 - 41 - 4
Road Teams12 - 128 - 44 - 14 - 3

(#56) Northwestern Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: 3.30 #56
Offense Rating: 11.14 #87
Defense Rating: 7.84 #34
Overall SP+ Rating: -6.1 #87
Offense SP+ Rating: 17.6 #122
Defense SP+ Rating: 23.7 #39
Talent Rating: 840.00 #33
Blue Chip Ratio: 3% #69
Expected Record: 4.2 - 7.8

Northwestern     Ratings Matchup     Illinois
Power #56
#23
Off #87
#13
Def #34
#47
Talent #33
#35
SP+ #87
#25
SP+ Off #122
#37
SP+ Def #39
#23

Previous Matchups
Illinois beat Northwestern last year (38-28)
Northwestern beat Illinois in 2023 (45-43)
Illinois beat Northwestern in 2022 (41-3)

Weather Forecast
Playing in Memorial Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: NW | ILL
Depth Chart: NW | ILL
Rosters: NW | ILL
(#23) Illinois Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: 16.56 #23
Offense Rating: 24.66 #13
Defense Rating: 10.10 #47
Overall SP+ Rating: 11.2 #25
Offense SP+ Rating: 30.5 #37
Defense SP+ Rating: 19.3 #23
Talent Rating: 834.00 #35
Blue Chip Ratio: 9 #39
Expected Record: 8.5 - 3.5





  
Northwestern's OC Zach Lujan
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Jack Lausch15929654%1714785.8
Preston Stone305159%421518.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Cam Porter12650164.044
Joseph Himon II5225724.951
Jack Lausch8721322.429
Caleb Komolafe5013902.817
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Cam Porter2317407.628
CJ Johnson II11121011.023
Frank Covey IV109809.827
Joseph Himon II159616.422
Illinois's OC Barry Lunney Jr.
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Luke Altmyer21134761%27172267.8
Ethan Hampton14324558%16081266.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Joshua McCray117609105.260
Aidan Laughery9758946.164
Kaden Feagin6730634.634
Luke Altmyer9921742.237
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Hudson Clement51741514.544
Justin Bowick20383319.257
Hank Beatty20294114.759
Collin Dixon18264014.741

Northwestern's DC Tim McGarigle
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mac Uihlein844201
Yanni Karlaftis572121
Robert Fitzgerald461100
Damon Walters424002
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Aidan Hubbard337671
Anto Saka155440
Michael Kilbane203300
Mac Uihlein844201
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Josh Fussell391005
Fred Davis II173004
Evan Smith282003
Illinois's DC Aaron Henry
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Matthew Bailey942005
Gabe Jacas7113890
Dylan Rosiek613201
Miles Scott540004
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Gabe Jacas7113890
Alec Bryant222212
Malachi Hood142201
Kenenna Odeluga72200
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Xavier Scott492106
Matthew Bailey942005
Jaheim Clarke341015