Longest win streak against every Illinois football 2024 opponent

The Illinois football schedule for 2024 has been out for quite some time, and there are some beatable teams we face this upcoming fall.

Throughout the history of the Illini program, some of these teams have been easier to beat than others. Illinois has seen success against some programs, terrible fortune against others, and one team we haven't even played.

Here is the Illinois football longest winning streak against 2024 opponents

Illinois football vs Eastern Illinois Panthers – Longest win streak (2)

The history between the Illinois football program and Eastern Illinois isn’t long. We have only played two games against the Panthers and won both contests. Illinois beat Eastern Illinois in 2006 and 2008 by a combined score of 89-38.

Illinois football vs Kansas Jayhawks – Longest win streak (3)

Not only do Illinois football fans not remember the three-game winning streak Illinois secured over Kansas, but most Illini fans weren't alive for the winning streak. The longest winning streak was three games for the Illini. The three games were played in 1916, 1917, and 1929. Illinois is 3-3 all-time against Kansas with the matchup restarting in 2023, and the Illini falling to the Jayhawks, 34-23.

Illinois football vs Central Michigan Chippewas – Longest win streak (0)

I have searched up and down the internet trying to find a game between these two teams. I don’t believe Illinois has ever played Central Michigan. The game against the Chippewas in 2024 will be the first-ever matchup between the two programs.

Illinois football @ Nebraska Cornhuskers – Longest win streak (3)

Ever since Nebraska joined the Big Ten, the matchup between the Illini and Cornhuskers has been pretty good. The longest winning streak for Illinois has occurred during the stretch too. Illinois’ longest winning streak against Nebraska was three games. This streak was in 2020, 2021, and 2022. The Cornhuskers broke that streak in 2023 with a 20-7 win over the Orange and Blue.

Illinois football @ Penn State Nittany Lions – Longest win streak (1)

No, that is not a typo. The longest win streak Illinois has ever had against Penn State is one game. This happened six different times, the latest coming in 2021 in a nine-overtime thriller with Illinois coming out on top, 20-18. Illinois is 6-21 lifetime against the Nittany Lions.

Illinois football vs Purdue Boilermakers – Longest win streak (6)

Illinois has seen a little more success against Purdue than other Big Ten teams. The longest winning streak the Illini have ever had against the Boilermakers is six games. This streak came back in the late 1980s and early 1990s. From 1988 through 1993, Illinois dominated Purdue in six games by a score of 157-43.

Illinois football vs Michigan Wolverines – Longest win streak (4)

If you are younger than 78 years old, you probably don’t remember when Illinois had a four-game winning streak against Michigan. This was the longest streak we have had against the Wolverines in program history. The four games came in 1950, 1951, 1952, and 1953. These were the glory days, as Illinois is 23-72-2 lifetime against Michigan, and we are currently on a six-game losing streak.

Illinois football @ Oregon Ducks – Longest win streak (1)

You better get used to the sight of Oregon being in the Big Ten. Illinois does have a winning streak against the Ducks. There have only been three games played between the two teams, and in 1970, Illinois won the inaugural game, 20-16. We are 1-2 against Oregon lifetime.

Illinois football vs Minnesota Golden Gophers – Longest win streak (5)

The matchup between Illinois and Minnesota dates back to 1898. Illinois’ longest win streak in the span of the matchup is five games, and that happened in the 1980s. In 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1987, the Illini were able to get the best of the Golden Gophers. If it wasn’t for a 27-27 tie in 1988, Illinois’ win streak would have been seven games.

Illinois football vs Michigan State Spartans – Longest win streak (6)

It was clear that the Illini did some good work in the 1980s. That is when most of our winning streaks happened. Illinois notched a six-game winning streak against Michigan State from 1980 through 1985. This was the longest win streak for the Illini in the history of the matchup.

Illinois football @ Rutgers Scarlet Knights – Longest win streak (3)

Illinois doesn’t have a long history with Rutgers. Since they joined the Big Ten, the Illini have gotten the better of the Scarlet Knights. Our longest win streak against Rutgers is three games. This streak was in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Overall, Illinois is 5-3 lifetime against the Scarlet Knights.

Illinois football @ Northwestern Wildcats – Longest win streak (7)

The history between Illinois and Northwestern dates back to 1892. A win streak for the Illini of seven games has happened twice in this matchup. The first seven-game win streak took place between 1913 and 1928. In these seven games, the Illini thrashed the Wildcats, 154-15. The second seven-game winning streak came between 1979-1985. It would have been an eight-game winning streak, but a 0-0 tie in 1978 ruined that. Illinois thumped Northwestern during this seven-game winning streak, 287-107.