Longest winning streak against all Illinois football opponents in 2024

The 2024 Illinois football schedule has been around for quite some time and there are some beatable teams we will face next fall.

Throughout the history of the Illini program, some of these teams have been easier to beat than others. Illinois has had success against some programs, terrible fortune against others and a team we haven’t even played.

Illinois Football vs Eastern Illinois Panthers: Longest Winning Streak (2)

The history between the Illinois football program and Eastern Illinois is not long. We have only played two games against the Panthers and we have won both contests. Illinois beat Eastern Illinois in 2006 and 2008 by a combined score of 89-38.

Illinois Football vs Kansas Jayhawks: Longest Winning Streak (3)

Not only do Illinois football fans not remember the three-game winning streak Illinois put together over Kansas, but most Illini fans weren’t alive for the winning streak. The longest winning streak was three games for the Illini. The three games were played in 1916, 1917 and 1929. Illinois is 3-3 all-time against Kansas and the matchup will restart in 2023, with the Illini falling to the Jayhawks, 34-23.

Illinois Football vs Central Michigan Chippewas: Longest Winning Streak (0)

I’ve searched the internet trying to find a game between these two teams. I don’t think Illinois has ever played Central Michigan. The game against the Chippewas in 2024 will be the first meeting between the two programs.

Illinois Football @ Nebraska Cornhuskers: Longest Winning Streak (3)

Since Nebraska joined the Big Ten, the Illini-Cornhuskers matchup has been pretty good. The longest winning streak for Illinois also came during the stretch. Illinois’ longest winning streak against Nebraska was three games. This streak was in 2020, 2021 and 2022. The Cornhuskers broke that streak in 2023 with a 20-7 win over the Orange and Blue.

Illinois Football @ Penn State Nittany Lions: Longest Winning Streak (1)

No, that’s not a mistake. The longest winning streak Illinois has ever had against Penn State is one game. This happened six different times, most recently in 2021 in a nine-overtime thriller with Illinois winning, 20-18. Illinois is 6-21 lifetime against the Nittany Lions.

Illinois football vs Purdue Boilermakers: Longest winning streak (6)

Illinois has had a little more success against Purdue than other Big Ten teams. The longest winning streak the Illini have had against the Boilermakers is six games. This streak returned in the late 1980s and early 1990s. From 1988 to 1993, Illinois dominated Purdue in six games by a score of 157-43.

Illinois Football vs Michigan Wolverines: Longest Winning Streak (4)

If you’re under 78, you probably don’t remember when Illinois went on a four-game winning streak against Michigan. This was the longest streak we’ve had against the Wolverines in program history. The four games came in 1950, 1951, 1952 and 1953. These were the glory days, as Illinois is 23-72-2 against Michigan, and we are currently on a six-game losing streak.

Illinois Football @ Oregon Ducks: Longest Winning Streak (1)

You better get used to seeing Oregon in the Big Ten. Illinois is on a winning streak against the Ducks. Only three games have been played between the two teams, and in 1970, Illinois won the inaugural game, 20-16. We’re 1-2 against Oregon lifetime.

Illinois Football vs Minnesota Golden Gophers: Longest Winning Streak (5)

The matchup between Illinois and Minnesota dates back to 1898. Illinois’ longest winning streak over the course of the matchup is five games, and that happened in the 1980s. In 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1987, the Illini were able to get the best of the Golden Gophers. If not for a 27-27 tie in 1988, Illinois’ winning streak would have been seven games.

Illinois football vs Michigan State Spartans: Longest winning streak (6)

It was clear that the Illini did a good job in the 1980s. That’s when most of our winning streaks occurred. Illinois went on a six-game winning streak against Michigan State from 1980 to 1985. This was the longest winning streak for the Illini in the matchup’s history.

Illinois Football @ Rutgers Scarlet Knights: Longest Winning Streak (3)

Illinois does not have a long history with Rutgers. Since joining the Big Ten, the Illini have outscored the Scarlet Knights. Our longest winning streak against Rutgers is three games. This streak was in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Overall, Illinois is 5-3 against the Scarlet Knights.

Illinois Football @ Northwestern Wildcats: Longest Winning Streak (7)

The history between Illinois and Northwestern dates back to 1892. A seven-game winning streak for the Illini has occurred twice in this matchup. The first seven-game winning streak took place between 1913 and 1928. In these seven games, the Illini thrashed the Wildcats, 154-15. The second seven-match winning streak came between 1979 and 1985. It would have been an eight-match winning streak, but a 0-0 draw in 1978 ruined it. Illinois defeated Northwestern during this seven-game winning streak, 287-107.