Led by 11th-year head coach Brock Spack, the Redbirds compiled an overall record of 10–5 with a mark of 5–3 in conference play, placing in a three-way tie for third in the MVFC.

Illinois State received an at-large bid to the NCAA Division I Football Championship playoffs, where the Redbirds beat Southeast Missouri State in the first round and Central Arkansas in the second round before losing to the eventual national champion, North Dakota State, in the quarterfinals.

The team played home games at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.

In the MVFC preseason poll released on July 29, 2019, the Redbirds were predicted to finish in third place.

[3][4] The Redbirds were selected for the postseason tournament, with a first-round pairing against Southeast Missouri State.