- Illinois hosts UAB Thursday, Sept. 3 at 8:00 p.m. CT in Champaign — Illinois was 9-4 last year, UAB 4-8, and the Illini are a 27.5-point favorite (total 54.5).
- UAB’s QB Burton is the story for the Blazers — he showed flashes in 2025 under new coach Alex Mortensen and must prove he can handle a physical Big Ten defense.
- Illinois starts newcomer QB Houser (3,300 yards, 19 TDs last year at East Carolina), making this a nice low-pressure tune-up before a brutal midseason (Ohio State, Oregon, Iowa).
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