Bret Bielema Douglas C. and Linda M. Mills Endowed Head Football Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Bret Bielema Douglas C. and Linda M. Mills Endowed Head Football Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
After spending a week outside the Associated Press Top 25, the University of Illinois football team has returned to the rankings at number 23. The team also moved up two spots to number 23 in the USA TODAY US LBM Coaches Poll.
Illinois, with a record of 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the Big Ten, has been recognized for having one of the strongest schedules in college football this season. According to ESPN, the Illini's strength of schedule is ranked sixth nationally and second in the Big Ten. The team's strength of record metric is also among the best in the country, ranking 13th.
This marks the eighth time this season that Illinois has appeared in the AP Top 25. Under head coach Bret Bielema, the Illini have now made 25 appearances in the AP Top 25 over five seasons, which is the third-most weeks ranked under a head coach in the program's history.
After their first off weekend of the season, Illinois will return to play on Saturday, facing Washington. The game is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff and will be broadcast on Big Ten Network.
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