Bret Bielema has his work cut out entering his fourth season as the Illinois football coach.

The Fighting Illini are coming off a 5-7 season, which included losing its season finale to in-state rival Northwestern to deny the team bowl eligibility. Through three seasons, Bielema is 18-19 as the lead man for Illinois with just one winning season.

REQUIRED READING: Illinois football's three most important games in 2024 season

Illinois will open the season against Eastern Illinois on Thursday before embarking on a tough schedule within the new-look Big Ten conference. During the 2024 season, the Fighting Illini face four teams in the top 25 of the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll.

Luke Altmyer returns for Illinois to lead the offense after making nine starts in his first season in Champaign. He threw for 1,883 passing yards and 13 touchdowns to 10 interceptions last season, also adding 282 yards rushing and three more scores.

Here's a look at the entire Illinois football schedule, including available start times and TV channels:

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Illinois football schedule 2024: TV channels, dates, start times

All times Central

• Thursday, Aug. 29: Illinois vs. Eastern Illinois | 8 p.m. | Big Ten Network (Fubo)

• Saturday, Sept. 7:  Illinois vs. No. 24 Kansas | 6 p.m. | Fox Sports 1 (Fubo)

• Saturday, Sept. 14: Illinois vs. Central Michigan | 11 a.m. | Peacock

• Friday, Sept. 20: Illinois at Nebraska* | 7 p.m. | Fox (Fubo)

• Saturday, Sept. 28: Illinois at No. 9 Penn State*

• Saturday, Oct. 5: BYE

• Saturday, Oct. 12: Illinois vs. Purdue*

• Saturday, Oct. 19: Illinois vs. No. 8 Michigan*

• Saturday, Oct. 26: Illinois at No. 3 Oregon*

• Saturday, Nov. 2: Illinois vs. Minnesota*

• Saturday, Nov. 9: BYE

• Saturday, Nov. 16: Illinois vs. Michigan State*

• Saturday, Nov. 23: Illinois at Rutgers*

• Saturday, Nov. 30: Illinois at Northwestern*

* Denotes Big Ten game

Watch select Illinois games live with Fubo (free trial)

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This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois schedule 2024: Time, TV channels, dates for college football