Illinois vs Michigan State head-to-head: position-by-position star ratings, experience, and composite grades on CFB Matchup. They meet Week 6, Saturday, October 10, 2026.
The Breakdown
Michigan State 62, Illinois 60 — near coin-flip. Spartans veteran-built: 9% blue chip, 3.8-year D-line.
When Illinois has the ball: The 3.0★ O-line, 2.6 years, meets Michigan State's 3.3★ D-line averaging 3.8 years. Slight Spartan edge.
When Michigan State has the ball: Cam Edwards (3★, four years) runs at Illinois' 3.3★ linebackers, led by 4★ Grant Beerman.
Swing factor: Katin Houser: 4★, four years, portal arrival. Alessio Milivojevic: 3★, two. Biggest single gap on the field.
X-factor: Saturday in October at East Lansing — Illinois' Week 6 road trip into a Big Ten crowd.