No, this is not a men’s basketball game. These two teams meet on the football field for the second season in a row.
Illinois Fighting Illini take on the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday in week two college football match on FS1.
Illinois dominated Duke 45-19 in Week 1 last season, but both teams enter this year’s game with young quarterbacks leading the way.
Both programs opened the 2026 season with wins, as Duke defeated Tulane 17-3 and Illinois defeated UAB 42-23.
Katin Houser threw three touchdown passes and added another on the ground in his Fighting Illini debut. Two of those scores went to wide receiver Collin Dixon, while Ca’Lil Valentine led the game with 88 rushing yards and found the end zone. Illinois’ defense also chipped in with six points.
Bret Bielema’s side have now won their opening six games of the season and will be looking to start 2-0 for the third straight season.
Duke, meanwhile, had to replace one of the top quarterbacks in the country in Darian Mensah, turning to San Jose State transfer Walker Eget. In his Blue Devils debut, Eget completed 50% of his passes for 131 yards and no touchdowns.
Fortunately for Eget, the Blue Devils didn’t need much from the passing game. Running back Nate Sheppard carried the offensive load, rushing for 227 yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries.
With Week 1 behind them, Illinois and Duke now turn their attention to Saturday’s game and a repeat of last season’s blowout.
Let’s take a look at the odds Illinois vs. Duke at DraftKings Sportsbook as of September 12th.
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Money line
- Illinois: -218 (bet $10 to win $14.59 total)
- Duke: +180 (bet $10 to win $28 total)
SPREAD
- Illinois -6: -108 (bet $10 to win $19.26 total)
- Duke +6: -112 (bet $10 to win $18.93 total)
Over/Under
- Above 51.5: -105 (bet $10 to win $19.52 total)
- Under 51.5: -115 (bet $10 to win $18.70 total)
Duke @ Illinois Forecast, Pick
From FOX Sports Research:
Illinois has been one of the toughest teams in the country to beat at home over the past three seasons, going 13-2 in Champaign while Bret Bielema has won 10 straight non-conference games.
We know this Illinois team will be tough, especially at home. Duke couldn’t find a way to beat the Fighting Illini last season with one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Now, the Blue Devils must travel to Champaign with a new quarterback leading the charge.
They also can’t count on Nate Sheppard rushing for over 200 yards again to provide an offensive spark. Walker Eget will have to carry more of the load if Duke is to hand Illinois just its third home loss since the start of the 2024 season.
Get Illini to cover.
Pick: Illinois -6
How to watch Illinois vs. Duke
- Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
- Time: 3:30 pm ET
- TV: FS1
- Transmission: Watch 3 days for free on FOX One, FOXSports.comThe FOX Sports app
- Location: Gies Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois
