Matt Manninger Assistant Strength Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Matt Manninger Assistant Strength Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
The Illinois football team has returned to the Associated Press Top 25 rankings, securing the 24th spot as announced on Sunday. This marks their first appearance in the top 25 since 2022 when they reached a peak ranking of 14 and maintained a ranked position for four consecutive weeks during October and November.
The Fighting Illini have started their season with victories over Eastern Illinois, Kansas (ranked 19th at the time), and Central Michigan, achieving a 3-0 record for the first time since 2011. Notably, this is also their first start with a win against a top-20 team in five decades, dating back to 1974.
Illinois is set to face Nebraska, ranked 22nd, on Friday night at 7 p.m. CT in Lincoln. The game will be broadcast on FOX. This matchup represents Illinois' first contest between two ranked teams since they played against Penn State in 2008.
Several historical notes accompany Illinois' return to the rankings:
- September 15 marks the earliest date Illinois has been ranked since 2008.
- Head coach Bret Bielema has achieved Top 25 rankings in two of his first four seasons, matching Ron Zook's accomplishment from 2007 and 2008.
- The upcoming game against Nebraska will be their first meeting as ranked opponents since September 21, 1985.
- Historically, Illinois holds an overall record of 81 wins, 50 losses, and two ties (.620) when ranked in the AP Top 25.
- In this week's Coaches Poll, Illinois narrowly missed being ranked by placing at number 26 while Nebraska holds the number 22 spot.
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