Illinois Could Go 10-2 Without Being Better Than Last Year

Illinois is replacing Luke Altmyer, four offensive line starters, a sizable portion of the defensive front and much of the defensive staff, but the 2026 schedule gives Bret Bielema's team a real opportunity to keep winning. Katin Houser returns to the Big Ten after a productive run at East Carolina, while new defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck brings a very different 3-3-5 approach from Montana.

In this Illinois football preview, we discuss whether Houser can keep the offense steady, whether the Illini can finally build a more dependable running game, and how quickly Hauck's new defense can come together. With Ohio State and Oregon standing out on an otherwise workable schedule, another nine-win season, or perhaps something even bigger, is firmly on the table. .

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