Illinois is among the sleeper darlings for the 2025 college football season, ranked No. 12 in the US LBM coaches poll and picked by many to ride its momentum to another solid season.
Bret Bielema enters his fifth season in Champaign with nearly every starter returning from a team that won 10 games, including a win over South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl. They are predicted to finish fifth in the Big Ten in 2025, according to USA TODAY Network writers.
But where do the Illini stack up among the elite of the Big Ten Conference? How likely are they to make the College Football Playoff? We took a look around the internet’s betting sites to check the odds.
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Illinois football odds to win Big Ten
Illinois is at +4000 to win the Big Ten Conference, according to BetMGM — meaning a $100 bet on Illinois would net $4,000 if the Illini win the Big Ten. That number puts the Illini tied with Iowa for eighth-best odds in the conference. Ohio State (+190), Penn State (+240), Oregon (+350) and Michigan (+700) have the best odds to win the Big Ten, well ahead of the rest of the 18-team conference.
Illinois odds to make College Football Playoff
Illinois is at +570 to make the College Football Playoff this season, according to FanDuel Sportsbook and at +500 according to BetMGM. Last season, the Big Ten had four teams in the inaugural 12-team playoffs.
Illinois odds to win College Football Playoff
Illinois is a longshot to win the national championship. The Illini are between +12500 and +20000, according to various sportsbooks listed at Vegasinsider.com.
Where to buy Illinois football tickets
To see a full list of ticket prices, visit StubHub, Vivid Seats and from the school.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: How slim are Illinois football’s odds to win Big Ten and make CFP? What betting lines say
Reporting by Wes Huett, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
