2021 schedule
Illinois
Big Ten
Final rank
#3
Record
5-7
Points
18
Diff
-21
Scored
242
Allowed
263
Outcome
Promoted
Game log
Real CFBD regular-season results. Points earned per game follow the opponent's 2021 starting tier: 5 for Tier 1, 4 for Tier 2, 3 for Tier 3, 2 for Tier 4, 1 for Tier 5, 0 for FBS losses or FCS wins, and −3 for any loss to an FCS opponent.
| Week | Opponent | Site | Score | Result | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nebraska(Tier 2) | Home | 30 – 22 | W | +4 |
| 2 | UTSA(Tier 5) | Home | 30 – 37 | L | 0 |
| 3 | Virginia(Tier 3) | Away | 14 – 42 | L | 0 |
| 4 | Maryland(Tier 4) | Home | 17 – 20 | L | 0 |
| 5 | Purdue(Tier 4) | Away | 9 – 13 | L | 0 |
| 6 | Charlotte(Tier 5) | Home | 24 – 14 | W | +1 |
| 7 | Wisconsin(Premier) | Home | 0 – 24 | L | 0 |
| 9 | Penn State(Premier) | Away | 20 – 18 | W | +5 |
| 10 | Rutgers(Tier 5) | Home | 14 – 20 | L | 0 |
| 11 | Minnesota(Tier 2) | Away | 14 – 6 | W | +4 |
| 13 | Iowa(Premier) | Away | 23 – 33 | L | 0 |
| 14 | Northwestern(Tier 2) | Home | 47 – 14 | W | +4 |
