As the summer months pass, the smell of barbeques and the sound of fans cheering are getting closer as college football is almost upon us. While we still have the month of August to get through, fall camps will begin soon, and preseason polls will roll out. Big Ten fans can now take a look at the Big Ten Preseason poll from Cleveland.com, one that has stood the test of time since 2011.
For a team like Illinois, it really is a toss-up as to how the media will view them heading into the 2026 football season. It will be the first time in three years that Luke Altmyer won't be the starting QB for the Illini, and head coach Bret Bielema is putting the offense in the hands of ECU transfer Katin Houser.
After back-to-back seasons with a bowl appearance and win, will the Illini fall from the heights they have finally been able to reach, or build on their recent success? Well, the writers who contributed to the Cleveland.com poll seem unsure, ranking Illinois to finish No. 9 in the Big Ten, right smack dab in the middle of the conference.
NEW: Big Ten Preseason Media Poll via @clevelanddotcom👀
— On3 (@On3) July 27, 2026
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Bret Bieleam is walking a tight line for the 2026 football season at Illinois
Being projected to finish No. 9 in the Big Ten means that either the Illini can have a lot of success this season, finishing in the top half of the conference, or easily fall back into their losing ways of years past. While the Illini have found success under Bielema, change is coming this season, and it will be his biggest test as head coach at Illinois.
Looking at the poll, Illinois has three teams on its upcoming schedule ranked above them. The Illini will take on the top two teams, Ohio State to open up Big Ten play in Columbus, and a midseason matchup against Oregon in Gies Memorial Stadium. The third team ranked above them sits at No. 8, the Iowa Hawkeyes, a team that typically is looked at the same as Illinois: potential for greatness, but could also fall far in the Big Ten.
The 2026 season could be looked at as Bielema's 'prove it' season, but with the prediction of finishing right in the middle of the conference, it shouldn't add any pressure to his plate. With a ranking like this, not much is expected of Illinois, making them the perfect dark horse candidate in the Big Ten.
With six Big Ten teams ranked below them on their schedule, it gives the Illini the chance to turn some heads yet again this season. Without Altmyer, not much is expected from the offense, but Houser shouldn't be counted out as the leader of this offense. Coming from ECU, Houser threw for 3,300 yards, 19 touchdowns, and only six interceptions last season.
Altmyer is a tough talent to replace, but the offense is in good hands with Houser, and Bielema has the defensive mind to get the other side of the ball ready. Don't be surprised if Illinois outperforms its projections for the 2026 football season.
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