In their 10th year under head coach Ray Eliot, the Illini compiled a 9–0–1 record, finished in first place in the Big Ten Conference, was ranked #4 in the final AP Poll, and defeated Stanford 40–7 in the 1952 Rose Bowl.

[1] Illinois defeated Stanford 40 to 7 in the 1952 Rose Bowl, the first nationally televised college football game.

[citation needed] The team was named co-national champion by Boand, which split its selection with Georgia Tech.

Halfback Johnny Karras was a consensus first-team pick on the 1951 College Football All-America Team.

[4] Linebacker Chuck Boerio was selected as the team's most valuable player.