Coming off a big win over Oregon, the Illinois football program needs to avoid the letdown game.
Now 4-3 on the season, Illinois fans can see a bowl game on the horizon. This was an afterthought through six games. Illinois’ win over the Ducks has given us hope and life for the rest of the 2026 campaign.
We have to take care of business against a reeling Maryland squad, though. The Terrapins are 2-5 and have lost five games in a row. This resulted in the firing of head coach Mike Locksley.
No head coach and a lost season, this is a perfect chance for Illinois to put this game away early.
Here is the Illinois football vs. Maryland: How to watch, odds, injuries, weather, announcers, & more
How to watch Illinois football vs. Maryland
- Date: Saturday, October 31
- Time: 11:00 a.m. CT/12:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: SECU Stadium, College Park, Maryland
- How to watch (TV/Streaming): FS1
- Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network, SiriusXM channel 262
- Illinois record: 4-3
- Maryland record: 2-5
Announcers for Illinois football vs. Maryland
- Play-by-play: Noah Reed
- Analyst: Mark Helfrich
- Sideline reporter: N/A
- Play-by-play (Radio): Brian Barnhart
- Analyst (Radio): Carey Davis
- Reporter (Radio): Kevin Mitchell
Illinois football vs. Maryland odds, spread, and total
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
Spread
- Illinois: -2.5 (-120)
- Maryland: +2.5 (-102)
Moneyline
- Illinois: -140
- Maryland: +116
Total
- Over: 55.5 points (-102)
- Under: 55.5 points (-120)
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Illinois football injury report
WR Jayshon Platt – Probable
DB Tywan Cox - Probable
LB Grant Beerman – Out
OL Kai Pritchard – Out
RB Ca’Lil Valentine – Out
WR Alex Perry – Out
LB Jack Paris – Out
DL Carter Smith – Out
OL TJ McMillen – Out
TE BJ Thurman – Out
Maryland injury report
N/A
Weather forecast for College Park, Maryland
- Skies: Cloudy
- High: 65 degrees
- Low: 45 degrees
- Rain: No
Illinois football vs. Maryland series history
- All-time meetings: 4
- Illinois all-time record vs. Maryland: 2-2
- Last meeting: November 15, 2025 (W 24-6)
- Last win over Maryland: November 15, 2025 (24-6)
The series between Illinois and Maryland is not a long one. It only started when the Terrapins entered the Big Ten.
Maryland took the first two matchups, as they got the best of Illinois when we were down. The last two games have gone in favor of the Illini, though. We trounced the Terrapins in 2025 by a score of 24-6.
The first-ever matchup came in 2018. Illinois went to College Park and got handed one of the worst losses in the Lovie Smith era. We fell to Maryland that day, 63-33.
Add us as a preferred source on Google