For the first time in the College Football Playoff era the Fighting Illini have made an appearance in the CFP rankings. The Big Ten West leading Illini made their debut at number 16 one spot behind Penn State. For being the new kids on the block this feels like a decent start. The only thing Bret Bielema’s team can do is keep winning and keep winning in convincing fashion. If you want to check out the full rankings check out John Borkowski’s breakdown of each team.
Illinois has reached as high as number 14 in the AP Poll so far this season, which is the highest they’ve been ranked since 2001. This year has been a year full of breaking records and reestablishing themselves as a respectable program. The trajectory in which this program has taken off has been incredible and the fact it has caught most everyone by surprise makes it so special. In a lot of ways the growth of the program has mirrored that of the Brad Underwood’s basketball program. Like Kirk Herbstreit said on the Rankings Show – “What the heck is going on in Champaign!”
CFP Rankings Yet Another Box Checked In Magical Season
Sure, the Illini could argue for a higher ranking, but splitting hairs when this team hasn’t even sniffed this sort of success or national attention in decades isn’t how these moments should be spent. Besides, it’s the initial ranking, plenty of time to prove themselves, and there was no real possibility of cracking the top six so arguing over a spot or two would be moot.
Illinois’ defense is tops in most of the major categories led by their defensive front, the “Law Firm” and an incredibly fast and physical defensive backfield. The offense plays perfect complimentary football led by the unsung hero quarterback Tommy DeVito and Heisman candidate running back Chase Brown.
There really is no glaring weakness on this squad despite the lack of four and five star recruits. Illinois’
coaches and training staff have done an incredible job developing athletes into bonafide football players.
The biggest argument against Illinois will be the weak schedule they’ve played. Not a single ranked team so far on the slate. In fact the Illini are the only team in the Big Ten to not play a ranked oponent and unless Purdue sneaks in before next week Michigan will be our first. Committee chair Boo Corrigan made that clear that was the cause for their current ranking: “We didn’t notice necessarily a signature win associated with them, but a really good football team and a really tough football team.”.
You can only play who is on your schedule and any other year wins against Wisconsin and Iowa would carry a lot more weight than they happen to this season, but it is what it is. Only thing Bret’s team can control is how they play.
Lets Dream A Little Shall We?
Is there a scenario in which the Illini find themselves on the bubble for the Playoff? Absolutely there is, it just depends on how much you’re willing to let yourself get sucked in. If the Illini were to win the final four games vs Michigan State, Purdue, @Michicgan, and @Northwestern there would begin legitimate talk about Illinois vying for the Playoff. To me, that doesn’t feel completely out of the question. I think Illinois matches up extremely well with Michigan, in fact I think they’re carbon copies of one another except Illinois’ defense is better.
Now, where we can get a little funky is the Big Ten Championship game. If Illinois takes down mighty Michigan it is likely they’ll play Big Ten East champion Ohio State. If you take out Michigan at the Big House and steal one from OSU in a neutral site I truly don’t know how you keep The Fighting Illini out of the CFP at that point. One can dream right?
The Illini have gone from basement dwellers in the Big Ten to being in a position in which they’ve never been in before. Take care of business on the field and the rest will take care of itself. It’s the perfect storm of being underrated, yet being the trendy dark horse pick by a growing amount of analysts. Embrace being America’s sweetheart and enjoy the journey, Illini fans, it’s well deserved. So, let’s put away expectations and just embrace this team for what they’ve given the fan base and see just how far we can take this thing.
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