Illinois Football 2011 Schedule: Game-by-Game Breakdown
Despite losing three of their final four games to end the season, the Illinois Fighting Illini salvaged their season by defeating Baylor in the Texas Bowl.
It was the first time the Fighting Illini had won a bowl game since 1999 and was only their second winning season under Ron Zook.
Dealing with the losses of Mikel Leshoure, Corey Liuget and Martez Wilson will be tough, but having a schedule with eight home games is one positive for 2011 for the Fighting Illini.
The 2011 schedule features a quality Pac-12 opponent along with some premier Big Ten conference opponents.
Here’s a breakdown of what lies ahead for Illinois football in 2011.
Arkansas State (Sun Belt)
1 of 12
When: September 3
Where: Home
Time: TBA
Opponent’s 2010 Record: 4-8
Noteworthy: This will be the third meeting between these two teams, with Illinois winning both of the two previous meetings—41-3 in 1999 and 59-7 in 2002.
South Dakota State (Missouri Valley)
2 of 12
When: September 10
Where: Home
Time: TBA
Opponent’s 2010 Record: 5-6
Noteworthy: South Dakota State will be the Fighting Illini’s third Missouri Valley Conference opponent in three years. They defeated Illinois State 45-17 in 2009 and Southern Illinois 35-3 in 2010.
Arizona State (Pac-12)
3 of 12
When: September 17
Where: Home
Time: TBA
Opponent’s 2010 Record: 6-6
Noteworthy: The Sun Devils lead the all-time series 2-0, including a 1987 victory in Champaign and a 1988 victory in Tempe.
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Western Michigan (Mid-American)
4 of 12
When: September 24
Where: Home
Time: TBA
Opponent’s 2010 Record: 6-6
Noteworthy: The last meeting between these two teams ended in an upset victory for the Broncos at Ford Field in 2008.
Northwestern (Big Ten)
5 of 12
When: October 1
Where: Home
Time: TBA
Opponent’s 2010 Record: 7-6, including 45-38 TicketCity Bowl loss to Texas Tech
Noteworthy: Illinois leads the all-time series against Northwestern 53-46-5, which includes a 48-27 victory for the Illini at Wrigley Field in 2010.
Indiana (Big Ten)
6 of 12
When: October 8
Where: Bloomington, IN
Time: TBA
Opponent’s 2010 Record: 5-7
Noteworthy: Former Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson is next in line to steer the Indiana football program in the right direction.
Ohio State (Big Ten)
7 of 12
When: October 15
Where: Home
Time: TBA
Opponent’s 2010 Record: 12-1, including 31-26 Sugar Bowl win over Arkansas
Noteworthy: Since the schedules were jumbled due to the addition of Nebraska to the Big Ten, the Buckeyes will be playing at Memorial Stadium two years in a row.
Purdue (Big Ten)
8 of 12
When: October 22
Where: West Lafayette, IN
Time: TBA
Opponent’s 2010 Record: 4-8
Noteworthy: Ron Zook has never beaten Purdue in West Lafayette, and the Illini haven’t beaten the Boilermakers at home since 2001.
Penn State (Big Ten)
9 of 12
When: October 29
Where: University Park, PA
Time: TBA
Opponent’s 2010 Record: 7-6, including 37-24 Outback Bowl loss to Florida
Noteworthy: Last season's 33-13 victory in Happy Valley marked the first time that Illinois had ever beaten Penn State since the Nittany Lions’ induction into the conference.
Michigan (Big Ten)
10 of 12
When: November 12
Where: Home
Time: TBA
Opponent’s 2010 Record: 7-6, including 52-14 Gator Bowl loss to Mississippi State
Noteworthy: Both offenses were in high gear in 2010, resulting in a thrilling 67-65 victory for the Wolverines.
Wisconsin (Big Ten)
11 of 12
When: November 19
Where: Home
Time: TBA
Opponent’s 2010 Record: 11-2, including 21-19 Rose Bowl loss to TCU
Noteworthy: Last time Wisconsin played in Champaign, Illinois upset the Badgers en route to a Rose Bowl appearance.
Minnesota (Big Ten)
12 of 12
When: November 26
Where: Minneapolis, MN
Time: TBA
Opponent’s 2010 Record: 3-9
Noteworthy: New Golden Gophers head coach Jerry Kill lost to the Illini in 2010 as the head coach of the Northern Illinois Huskies.
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