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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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Nov 13, 2021; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; A detailed view of the Southeastern Conference SEC logo at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2021; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; A detailed view of the Southeastern Conference SEC logo at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Southeastern Conference (SEC)

  • Georgia Bulldogs

Needless to say, thank the football Gods that Illinois hasn’t played Georgia. This does come as a bit of a surprise considering the Bulldogs have been around since 1902. The last time Georgia missed a bowl game was in 1996. They also just won the national title.

  • Tennessee Volunteers

Another team that formed in 1902 but Illinois hasn’t played is Tennessee. This comes as a surprise, as I would expect the Illini to meet up with the Volunteers at some point in a bowl game or early in the season. Tennessee has been a solid program, though. They are coming off an 11-win season.

  • South Carolina Gamecocks

I would argue the most disappointing team in the SEC has been South Carolina. That team has so much firepower every year but falls short of expectations. Illinois has never played the Gamecocks, but they would be one of the teams I wouldn’t mind playing in the future.

  • Vanderbilt Commodores

Widely known as the worse SEC program, Vanderbilt is a program that Illinois hasn’t had the opportunity to play just yet. The Commodores have been bad for quite some time. They only have 10 wins in the past four seasons.

  • Ole Miss Rebels

Ole Miss has been around since 1902, but Illinois has never gone up against the mediocre SEC team. I would argue that the Rebels are about as average as you can get in the SEC. They have hit 10 wins three times since 1972 and are currently on a three-season bowl streak.

  • Arkansas Razorbacks

Speaking of mediocre SEC programs, Arkansas is up next. It is tough to win with the Razorbacks. Illinois hasn’t played Arkansas since they formed in 1906, and the only connection to the program is the fact that current Illini head coach, Bret Bielema, used to coach the Razorbacks.

  • Auburn Tigers

You would think that a historic program like Auburn, which started in 1902, would have played Illinois at least once. That isn’t the case, though. The Tigers haven’t played the Illini. Thankfully, we have avoided Auburn, as they have made a bowl game in 20 out of the last 23 seasons.

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