CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illinois football team is ranked #25 in this week's USA TODAY US LBM Coaches Poll. The Illini dropped out of the AP Top 25 after 12 consecutive weeks in the poll, falling one spot outside of this week's rankings.
Illinois (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) heads to its off weekend after playing one of the most difficult schedules in the nation. The Illini's strength of schedule is ranked #4 in the nation and #1 in the Big Ten, according to ESPN, while Illinois' strength of record metric is 13th-best in the nation.Â
Illinois' two losses have come to undefeated top-3 ranked teams in #1 Ohio State (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) and #3 Indiana (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten).Â
The Illini have one ranked win, a 34-32 victory over USC (5-1, 3-1 Big Ten), which is now ranked #20 after the Trojans secured a 31-13 win over Michigan (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) last weekend. Illinois also has two nonconference wins over teams undefeated in their conferences, a road victory at Duke (4-2, 3-0 ACC) and a shutout victory over Western Michigan (4-3, 3-0 MAC).
Illinois has been led by QB Luke Altmyer, who rates as one of the top quarterbacks in the nation after just over half the season. Altmyer is sixth nationally in passing yards (1,821), seventh in completion percentage (72.4%), and ninth in passing efficiency (173.4).Â
Illinois' strong schedule continues Saturday, Oct. 25 with a trip to Washington. The Huskies are two spots behind Illinois in this week's receiving votes section of the AP Top 25.Â
