How to watch Illinois State vs Western Illinois: Live stream NCAA College Football, TV channel

Illinois State hits the road Saturday for an in-state rivalry matchup against Western Illinois at Hanson Field in Macomb, with kickoff set for 7:00 PM ET on ESPN+. The series is tied 52-52-3, giving the Redbirds a chance to take the all-time lead for the first time in decades.

Aug 30, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Illinois State Redbirds place kicker Hayden Futch (41) celebrates with long snapper Dylan Calabrese (49) after making a field goal during the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Image

How to Watch Illinois State vs Western Illinois

The Redbirds enter at 1-0 after an emphatic 76-0 victory over St. Francis (Ill.) in their season opener. Illinois State scored touchdowns on each of its first 10 possessions and recorded its second-highest point total in program history. Coming off a run to the FCS national championship game last season, the Redbirds immediately looked like one of the country's top FCS teams again.

Western Illinois is also 1-0 after rolling past Northwestern College 65-14 in its opener. The Leathernecks piled up 539 yards of offense, while Kennedy McGill accounted for 292 total yards and five touchdowns. Illinois State has won three straight in the rivalry, including a 51-34 victory in 2024, but Western Illinois now gets an opportunity to end that streak on its home field.

This is a great college football matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.

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