CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — After a 43-27 win at Purdue, the Illinois football team moved up five spots to #17 in this week’s AP Top 25. Illinois is also ranked #17 in this week’s US LBM Coaches Poll.
#17 Illinois (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) hosts #1 Ohio State (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) on Saturday at Gies Memorial Stadium. The two teams will battle for the coveted Illinibuck Trophy for the first time since 2017. The top-ranked Buckeyes will travel to Champaign for the first time since 2015.
Illinois will host the #1 team in the nation for the 11th time in history and the first time since 2006. The Illini are 3-13 all-time against top-ranked teams with wins in 1950, 1956, and 2007.
FOX Big Noon Kickoff is Back
FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff pregame show is coming back to Champaign on Saturday for the second time this season. The network’s popular pregame show featuring Rob Stone; analysts Mark Ingram II, Matt Leinart, Urban Meyer, Brady Quinn; and Barstool’s Dave Portnoy will air live from Champaign from 9-11 a.m. CT on Saturday. Chris “The Bear” Fallica also provides analysis, in addition to insight and interviews from reporter Tom Rinaldi.
FOX Big Noon Kickoff will be live from the south side of Grange Grove from 9 a.m. CT until approximately 10:15 a.m. CT before moving inside Gies Memorial Stadium for the remainder of the show. Admission to the Big Noon Kickoff area is free, and fans are encouraged to bring signs. FOX will be giving away game tickets, food, trucker hats, and other items.
The Big Noon Kickoff pregame show will lead into the #17 Fighting Illini hosting #1 Ohio State at Gies Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT on FOX.
