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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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Sep 10, 2016; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; The Mountain West conference logo on the yardage chains is seen prior to a game between the Air Force Falcons and Georgia State Panthers at Falcon Stadium. The Falcons won 48-14. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; The Mountain West conference logo on the yardage chains is seen prior to a game between the Air Force Falcons and Georgia State Panthers at Falcon Stadium. The Falcons won 48-14. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /

Mountain West

  • Boise State Broncos

There are some pretty good programs in the Mountain West, and Boise State is one of those teams. Illinois hasn’t played the Broncos because they joined the FBS ranks in 1996. Since their move up, Boise State has been incredible. They have made bowl game in all but seven of the 27 seasons in the FBS.

  • Colorado State Rams

A team Illinois should probably play in the non-conference sometime is Colorado State. They started in 1902, so it comes as a surprise that the Illini haven’t run into the Rams at some point. Colorado State has had a total of 14 wins over the past five seasons.

  • New Mexico Lobos

New Mexico has a long history of playing DI football. They started back in 1931, but they never got a chance to play Illinois. This is a shame because the Lobos have been pretty bad over the past decade. The most wins New Mexico has had in the last six seasons is three victories.

  • UNLV Rebels

Since 1971, UNLV has been in the FBS. They joined the Mountain West back in 1999, and since then, they have been a dumpster fire of a program. Illinois hasn’t been able to take advantage of this floundering team, but they have only made four bowl games in the history of their program.

  • Nevada Wolfpack

Over the past couple of decades, Nevada has been an underrated program. They are a non-conference team that I am glad Illinois has avoided. The Wolfpack has made a bowl game in 14 out of the 18 seasons.

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