Duke vs Illinois head-to-head: position-by-position star ratings, experience, and composite grades on CFB Matchup. They meet Week 2, Saturday, September 12, 2026.
The Breakdown
Illinois 60, Duke 58 — near coin flip, tipped by Katin Houser's 4★, four-year edge over Walker Eget.
When Duke has the ball: Nate Sheppard, 3★ with one year, runs at Illinois linebackers averaging 3.3★ and three years.
When Illinois has the ball: 3★ O-line blocks Duke's 3.3★ D-line, but those Blue Devil linemen average just 1.8 years.
Swing factor: Both quarterbacks are first-year transfers: Houser at 4★ and four years, Eget 3★ and three.
X-factor: Week 2 Saturday in Champaign — Duke travels north into a Big Ten home crowd.