The Illinois football team has returned to the Associated Press Top 25 rankings, securing the #24 spot this week. The Illini have achieved a record of 7-3 overall and 4-3 in the Big Ten conference. This marks their eighth appearance in the AP Top 25 this season, a feat not seen since 2001 when they appeared in ten polls.
Under the leadership of head coach Bret Bielema, Illinois has been ranked in 13 AP polls over his first four seasons. In comparison, only John Mackovic and Mike White had more appearances during their initial four years as head coaches at Illinois, with Mackovic having 39 weeks and White having 14 weeks.
Recently, the Fighting Illini secured a significant victory against Michigan State with a score of 38-16. The game featured strong performances from Illinois' defense, which recorded five sacks. Running back Josh McCray contributed three touchdowns, while wide receiver Pat Bryant added another touchdown along with 135 receiving yards.
Looking ahead, Illinois will conclude its regular season with two consecutive Big Ten road games. The next matchup is scheduled for Saturday, November 23rd against Rutgers. The game will kick off at 11 a.m. CT/12 p.m. ET and will be available on Peacock.
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