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Illinois football has played, but never beaten, these teams

By Rees Woodcock

ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 2: Head coach Nick Saban of the Louisiana State University Tigers takes the field against the Georgia Bulldogs during the game at Sanford Stadium on October 2, 2004 in Athens, Georgia. The Bulldogs won 45-16. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 2: Head coach Nick Saban of the Louisiana State University Tigers takes the field against the Georgia Bulldogs during the game at Sanford Stadium on October 2, 2004 in Athens, Georgia. The Bulldogs won 45-16. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Illinois football
Oct 1, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini logo on a helmet during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Illinois football has one of the longest histories of any program in the country, but there are some teams we have played but never beaten.

It is hard to imagine a program dating back to 1892 that hasn’t beaten every college team at least once. But that is the case with the Illini. There are 18 teams Illinois has played but has failed to come out victorious.

Illinois football has played, but never beaten, these teams

1. Alabama – 0-1

  • First Loss: December 29, 1982
  • Last Loss: December 29, 1982

The only time Illinois has ever played Alabama was in the Liberty Bowl in 1982. A 7-4 Illini crew held tough but fell just short to the Crimson Tide, 21-15.

Tony Eason would end up throwing for 423 yards and four interceptions in the game. It would also be legendary Alabama head coach Paul “Bear” Bryant’s final game with the Crimson Tide.

2. Clemson – 0-1

  • First Loss: January 1, 1991
  • Last Loss: January 1, 1991

Much like Alabama, the only time Illinois ever played Clemson was during a bowl game. The two teams matched up in the 1991 Hall of Fame Bowl. This was a massacre, as the Illini would get their butts handed to them, 30-0.

From the opening kickoff, this game got out of hand. The Tigers scored on its first possession, and then Illinois would fumble the ball the following drive. Everything would snowball from there.

3. Eastern Michigan – 0-1

  • First Loss: September 14, 2019
  • Last Loss: September 14, 2019

Illinois fans had a wild ride in 2019. What was surely going to be a season where we fired our head coach ended up turning into a 6-6 bowl campaign.

A large part of the dismayed fanbase was the fact Illinois dropped a game to Eastern Michigan. This was the only time the Illini have ever played the Eagles, and it was an ugly loss that started a four-game losing streak.

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