CFB
Where they rank
Team-advanced percentile vs. the FBS field · descriptive only, not a prediction of Saturday.
Illinois
Offensive efficiency (PPA)78th pct.
Offensive success rate88th pct.
Explosiveness63th pct.
Defensive efficiency (PPA)2th pct.
Defensive success rate allowed12th pct.
Havoc rate7th pct.
Northwestern
Offensive efficiency (PPA)93th pct.
Offensive success rate91th pct.
Explosiveness81th pct.
Defensive efficiency (PPA)52th pct.
Defensive success rate allowed27th pct.
Havoc rate52th 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