Illinois vs Southern Illinois: How to Watch, Preview, and What's at Stake Saturday

The Fighting Illini look to bounce back from a tough loss as they host in-state rival Southern Illinois this Saturday in Champaign. Kickoff is set for 2:00 PM ET at Gies Memorial Stadium, with the game streaming exclusively on Peacock.

Illinois (1-1) is coming off a disappointing 31-27 home loss to Duke, a game head coach Bret Bielema says his team gave away with self-inflicted mistakes. Southern Illinois (2-1) arrives riding a two-game winning streak and features a dynamic quarterback who has waited seven years for moments like this.

How to Watch Illinois vs Southern Illinois

• When: Saturday, September 19
• Where: Gies Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL
• Time: 2:00 PM ET
• Live Stream: Peacock

Fans can sign up for Peacock to catch the game, which is part of a full Saturday slate on the streaming platform.

Full Peacock Schedule for Saturday

• Eastern Michigan vs Wisconsin: 12:30 PM ET (NBCSN, Peacock, YouTube)
• Southern Illinois vs Illinois: 2:00 PM ET (Peacock)
• Western Kentucky vs No. 4 Indiana: 4:00 PM ET (NBCSN, Peacock)
• Michigan State vs No. 3 Notre Dame: 7:30 PM ET (NBC, Peacock)

Illinois Looking to Clean Up Mistakes

The Fighting Illini offense moved the ball effectively against Duke, with quarterback Katin Houser completing 24 of 35 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns. But Illinois managed just three points in the second half, and Bielema made no excuses afterward.

“I don't want to diminish Duke's performance, but I believe our own mistakes led to this outcome. We had a turnover, but the self-inflicted penalties and mental errors across all three phases are what ultimately hurt us,” Bielema said.

The coach emphasized fundamentals as the path forward.

“It comes down to the simple things: communication, execution in critical moments, and avoiding simple errors. To have a sellout crowd like we did today and not deliver is disappointing. Winning is addictive for players, coaches, and fans alike, so when we fall short it is frustrating and I feel that deeply,” he said.

Illinois is chasing its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance this season, making this in-state matchup a critical bounce-back opportunity.

Southern Illinois Brings a Veteran Playmaker

The Salukis have won two straight after dropping their season opener. Quarterback DJ Williams returned to the starting lineup last week after missing a game with a knee injury, and he delivered in a big way.

Williams rushed for four touchdowns and threw for another, completing 17 of 31 passes for 286 yards. The Harvey, Illinois native is in his seventh college season, having spent 2020 through 2023 at Murray State before transferring to Southern Illinois in 2024.

A Rivalry With History

Saturday marks the fifth all-time meeting between these two programs. Illinois has won all four previous matchups, but Southern Illinois will be eager to change that narrative in front of what should be a lively crowd.

What's at Stake for Iowa Fans

While this game doesn't feature Iowa teams directly, the Big Ten landscape matters to Hawkeye fans tracking conference competition. Illinois sits in the Big Ten West alongside Iowa, and a strong season from the Fighting Illini could have implications for the conference race later this fall.

Iowa fans may also want to keep an eye on the Big Ten's growing national footprint. The conference, founded in 1896, is the oldest athletic conference in the NCAA and now includes powerhouses like Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State. UCLA, USC, Washington, and Oregon joined the Big Ten in the 2024-2025 school year, expanding the league's reach even further.

How to Stream College Football on Peacock

Peacock has become a go-to destination for live sports, offering NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, Premier League, NCAA football and basketball, golf, motorsports, and more in one service.

New users can sign up directly through the Peacock website. Those who already have an account can sign in with their email and password on any supported device. Users looking to upgrade from Peacock Premium to Premium Plus can do so through the Plans and Payments section of their account.

For a full list of supported devices, visit the Peacock website.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does Illinois vs Southern Illinois start?

The game kicks off at 2:00 PM ET on Saturday, September 19 at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois.

How can I watch Illinois vs Southern Illinois without cable?

The game streams exclusively on Peacock. A subscription is required, and new users can sign up through the Peacock website.

Who is the quarterback for Southern Illinois?

DJ Williams, a seventh-year senior who transferred from Murray State, leads the Salukis. He rushed for four touchdowns and threw for one in his last game.

Has Illinois ever lost to Southern Illinois?

No. Illinois has won all four previous meetings between the two programs.