Illinois football continues to impress College Football Playoff committee

Last week was fun, as the Illinois football team made it into the College Football Playoff rankings for the first time all season.

It was a good win for the Illini as well. The Orange and Blue throttled Michigan State by 22 points, and we looked good. So, a jump into the CFP rankings was earned.

Sitting at No. 25 heading into the week, Illinois was now one of those teams that was going to get the opposing team’s best shot. Rutgers threw everything they had at us too.

It took a 4th and 13 miracle to clinch the victory over the Scarlet Knights. That miracle not only elevated the Illini to eight wins on the year, but it also kept us moving upward in the CFP rankings.

On Tuesday night, the College Football Playoff committee released their latest rankings. Illinois is now the No. 23 team in the country. This is a nice little jump that shows that the committee believes in this program.

Finishing in the College Football Playoff rankings would be a big boost to the Illinois football program

It is fun to see the Illini in the CFP rankings. The fact we have now been in the rankings two out of the last three seasons is something to hang your hat on.

The final game of the season is going to be huge for Illinois as well. No, we probably don’t have a chance at making the College Football Playoff, but this is bigger than that right now.

Finishing a season ranked in the final CFP rankings is a big deal. In the era of NIL, money talks, but winning still matters. Players don’t want to go to dumpster fire programs. They want to go somewhere competitive.

Illinois finishing in the CFP rankings shows that we are a serious competitive program. Bret Bielema has this ship steered in the right direction. The Illini are knocking on the door of the College Football Playoff this season, and next year, look for us to kick it down.