CFB
Where they rank
Team-advanced percentile vs. the FBS field · descriptive only, not a prediction of Saturday.
Illinois
Offensive efficiency (PPA)75th pct.
Offensive success rate86th pct.
Explosiveness59th pct.
Defensive efficiency (PPA)3th pct.
Defensive success rate allowed12th pct.
Havoc rate8th pct.
Northwestern
Offensive efficiency (PPA)96th pct.
Offensive success rate93th pct.
Explosiveness78th pct.
Defensive efficiency (PPA)48th pct.
Defensive success rate allowed28th pct.
Havoc rate63th pct.
Illinois · Returning production
Overall (PPA)21.1%
Passing3.2%
Rushing34.2%
Receiving31.3%
Against the spread, last 3 seasons
ATS 14-7-1 · O/U 8-14 · avg. margin +1.6
Northwestern · Returning production
Overall (PPA)88.5%
Passing93.9%
Rushing88.0%
Receiving86.3%
Against the spread, last 3 seasons
ATS 10-11-2 · O/U 12-11 · avg. margin -5.0
Head-to-head
Last 5 meetings2025Northwestern 13–20 Illinois
2024Illinois 38–28 Northwestern
2023Northwestern 45–43 Illinois
2022Illinois 41–3 Northwestern
2021Northwestern 14–47 Illinois