Anonymity could be the Illinois football secret weapon to make the College Football Playoff

I'll spare you the nonsensical FBS rankings that seem to reward past successes instead of analyzing what is going on in the present moment.

For Alabama and Tennessee to drop only a few spots after getting beat by two unranked teams that are consistently at the bottom and are an afterthought of the SEC over the past few years is beyond me. But I digress. This is about the only chance for the Illini to impress the unimpressible football hierarchy.

One thing of note: USC's loss to Minnesota is huge! Not to mention Michigan losing to Washington! Everything is new in 2024, from conference to conference and coaching staff to the personnel on the field.

We are definitely in uncharted territory. This unfamiliarity or anonymity can definitely work in the Illinois football program's favor. According to the NCAA's most recent statistics, the Illini's defense ranks No. 12 in the nation and No. 5 in the loaded Big Ten. However, stats also show that the offense only puts up 27.2 points a game, which is the 84th-best offense in the country.

Home field could help Illinois football avoid the big trap game in the coming days

That said, with Luke Altmyer growing into his own, I would imagine the offensive production will rise, especially as the boys in orange and blue take on a struggling 1-4 Purdue Boilermakers team this weekend.

If Illinois can survive the upcoming trap game, the next test of this season's success will come on Saturday afternoon, October 19th, when they welcome Michigan. Being at home the next two weeks after a bye week is a definite bonus.

Just so I don't sound like a total fanboy, it's not lost on me that Illinois currently sits in the No. 8 spot in the Big Ten. It must also be noted that the only team currently under .500 remaining on the Illini's schedule is Northwestern.

But there is a lot of football left to be played. I mean, Indiana is currently ahead of the pack in the Big Ten. Indiana! Anyway, the musical chairs of college football have already started, and I see Illinois with a chance to get better each week.

In a year with so much change where everything and anything can and is happening, maybe the 12-team format will give the country some much-needed surprises. And, maybe, just maybe, the Illini can take advantage of the unknown craziness to come.