W Michigan Illinois Football

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer looks to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Western Michigan Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Craig Pessman)

 Craig Pessman

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - Illinois football is set to play its Homecoming game in front of a national audience. 

Illinois Athletics said in a press release Monday that the Fighting Illini's matchup with USC was selected for the National Spotlight on FOX. 

Illinois will face the Trojans at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at Gies Memorial Stadium. 

The release shared that both teams will face off for the first time since the 2008 Rose Bowl, and USC will make its first visit to Champaign since the 1996 season. Illinois lost the game decisively, 55-3. 

The Illinois-USC game is sold out, and the #9 Illini hit the road to play #19 Indiana at 6:30 p.m. Saturday on NBC/WAND. 

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