The AP Preseason Top 25 rankings are officially out, which is the final step before the college football season begins. We are just two weeks away from Week 0 games, which not too many teams will play in, but three weeks away from Illinois facing off against UAB.
While Illinois didn't show up in the Top 25, they did receive some votes, putting them within reach of seeing a ranking at some point this season. Looking at the Illini's schedule, they shouldn't have to face too many ranked opponents- just three as of right now, and that number shouldn't go up throughout the season.
So where will teams be ranked when they actually get around to playing Illinois? Let's check out some predictions.
Week 1 vs. UAB
Preseason ranking: None
Rankings prediction: Unranked
This game automatically doesn't get a prediction unless something totally wild happens in Week 0, but neither team plays, so it is a given that the Blazers' ranking won't change. If you want a prediction on where they'll be at the end of the season, it is still that they will be unranked.
Week 2 vs. Duke
Preseason ranking: None
Rankings prediction: Unranked
The Duke Blue Devils were practically gutted by Miami in the offseason, especially after losing Darian Mensah. While the Blue Devils have a chance to get a solid win in Week 1 against Tulane, there is no chance they sniff the rankings by Week 2, especially after receiving no votes in the Preseason Rankings.
Week 3: vs. Southern Illinois
Preseason ranking: None
Rankings prediction: Unranked
Southern Illinois should come to Champaign with a 2-0 record since they don't face another Power Four opponent before their date with the Illini. However, even being 2-0, it won't be enough for the Salukis to even get votes for the rankings, let alone a ranking in the Top 25.
Week 4 at No. 1 Ohio State
Preseason ranking: No. 1
Rankings prediction: No. 2
Ohio State is coming into the season as the top dog at No. 1, which always paints the biggest target on the back of the team that holds that ranking. The Buckeyes don't need a ranking to have a target on their back, though.
Before Ohio State and Illinois face off to start Big Ten play, though, the Buckeyes have to get past No. 5 Texas, which could easily be a loss. Even if Ohio State does lose, it shouldn't drop too much in the rankings, most likely just one spot.
Week 5 vs. Purdue
Preseason ranking: None
Rankings prediction: Unranked
Purdue football has struggled for quite a few years, and having to play Wake Forest, UCLA, and Notre Dame in three of its first four games won't help with their potential ranking, or lack thereof, when they meet Illinois.
Week 6 at Michigan State
Preseason ranking: None
Rankings prediction: Unranked
It isn't out of the realm of possibility that Pat Fitzgerald can turn Michigan State football around, but it would take a lot for it to happen in Year 1. The Spartans have to face Notre Dame and Nebraska before taking on the Illini, and both of those games most likely end in a loss, ensuring they wouldn't have a ranking by Week 6.
Week 8 vs. No. 2 Oregon
Preseason ranking: No. 2
Rankings prediction: No. 1
Illinois will host Oregon midway through the season, the team that came in just behind the Buckeyes at No. 2 in the preseason rankings. If Ohio State does drop from that No. 1 ranking, the Ducks will easily slide in with a fairly light schedule to start the season.
Week 9 at. Maryland
Preseason ranking: None
Rankings prediction: Unranked
While Maryland's schedule is nothing to write home about, they will have to face Ohio State, UCLA, Virginia Tech, and Nebraska before taking on the Illini. It is hard to believe that the Terrapins will have any big wins to get them into the Top 25, let alone keep them there in time for their matchup with Illinois.
Week 10 vs. Nebraska
Preseason ranking: None
Rankings prediction: Unranked
Nebraska will see a big change at the quarterback position, going from former five-star Dylan Raiola to UNLV transfer Anthony Colandrea. With Indiana and Oregon on the schedule before their date with the Illini, the Cornhuskers have a chance at some big wins over ranked opponents, but that also hasn't happened since 2016. I don't expect it to happen this season either, leaving Nebraska unranked in Week 10.
Week 11 at UCLA
Preseason ranking: None
Rankings prediction: RV
UCLA is a wild card this season, especially under the leadership of former James Madison head coach Bob Chesney. The Bruins have a chance to make some noise with a game against Oregon, but solid wins throughout the rest of the season could get them some votes in the rankings by the time they meet up with Illinois.
Week 12 vs. No. 22 Iowa
Preseason ranking: No. 22
Rankings prediction: Unranked
The Iowa Hawkeyes always end up in the Preseason Top 25, and let's face it, it's only because of the defense, never the offense. However, it has been a while since Iowa was able to hang on in the rankings, especially towards the end of November, so don't expect this to be a ranked team by the time they land in Champaign.
Week 13 at Northwestern
Preseason ranking: None
Rankings prediction: Unranked
Like many of the other Big Ten teams Illinois is set to face this season, Northwestern will most likely be a punching bag for higher-ranked teams, making it hard to believe they have even a sliver of a chance at being ranked come the end of the season.
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