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Believe it or not, Illinois football has never played these FBS teams

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 27: A general view of Memorial Stadium during the first quarter between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Wyoming Cowboys on August 27, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 27: A general view of Memorial Stadium during the first quarter between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Wyoming Cowboys on August 27, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Oct 23, 2021; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; A general view of the Big 12 Conference logo on the field after the game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Oklahoma Sooners at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2021; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; A general view of the Big 12 Conference logo on the field after the game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Oklahoma Sooners at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

Big 12

  • TCU Horned Frogs

Illinois has a decent history of playing Big 12 teams, but TCU is not one of those programs. It is probably due to the fact the Horned Frogs joined the Big 12 back in 2012. Since making the move from the Mountain West, TCU has seen great success.

  • Texas Longhorns

This is another team that shocks me. I can’t believe Illinois hasn’t played Texas, considering the Longhorns started in 1902. Texas has been a solid team for much of that time, but they have been kind of mediocre since Colt McCoy left the program.

  • Texas Tech Red Raiders

Texas Tech seems like it should be a good program, and it once was. Under Mike Leach, they were a formidable force, but since then, the program has floundered. Illinois hasn’t played the Red Raiders, but over the past decade would have been a perfect opportunity.

  • Oklahoma State Cowboys

The Oklahoma State Cowboys have been a good program since Mike Gundy took over in 2005. While they have been a letdown at times, it is due to having national title expectations. The Illini haven, thankfully, avoided the Cowboys over the past 20 years. Shockingly, we never had a chance to play Oklahoma State once since they began in 1914.

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