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Projected Big Ten football standings for the 2024 season

The college football season is upon us, so here is a full projection of how the 2024 season will finish in the Big Ten.

By Rees Woodcock

The logo of the Big Ten Conference is seen on a yard marker during Iowa Hawkeyes football Kids Day at Kinnick open practice, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. 210814 Ia Fb Kids Day 109 Jpg
The logo of the Big Ten Conference is seen on a yard marker during Iowa Hawkeyes football Kids Day at Kinnick open practice, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. 210814 Ia Fb Kids Day 109 Jpg / Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen via Imagn Content Services, LLC
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6. Illinois Fighting Illini 8-4 (6-3 Big Ten)

I have another shocker toward the top of the Big Ten. Illinois has an experienced team that has loaded up on offense. That should bode well for the win column.

  • Biggest Wins: #9 Michigan

Illinois should have a good season for multiple reasons. One of those reasons is for the talent on the field. The other is that we don’t have a brutal schedule.

The first eight games are pretty rough. I think the biggest win of the season will be against Michigan when they head to Champaign. The Wolverines might be ranked at the time, but the Illini have a chance to change the course of the season with this win.

  • Biggest Losses: #22 Kansas, @ Nebraska

I believe Illinois’ mental is going to be tested early on in the season. Kansas comes to town in the second game of the season. I have this marked as a close loss. Two games later, the Illini head to Lincoln, Nebraska.

The Cornhuskers have a good team, but Illinois should be able to compete. While I have this as a loss, it should be hard-fought. Dropping two out of the first four games is going to test Illinois’ resiliency. Staying focused and pushing forward will be crucial.

  • Biggest Threats: Purdue, #9 Michigan

Illinois’ losses are obviously some of the biggest threats on the schedule in 2024. I have Kansas, Nebraska, Penn State, and Oregon beating the Illini this season.

I think there are two threats that I have Illinois beating. Purdue is always a thorn in our side regardless of how talented they are on the field. I also believe Michigan is another threat. Just their name sounds tough, but this is a must-win game if we want to get to eight wins.

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