It's time to start paying attention to Illinois

With so much going on Saturday night with Oklahoma's win over Florida State, South Carolina's close call with Navy and Miami's rout of Ohio State, it was easy to lose track of perhaps the biggest statement game for any team besides Oklahoma. Illinois defeated Arizona State 17-14 with a great defensive effort against Sun Devils QB Brock Osweiler. The Illini sacked Osweiler six times and intercepted him twice, and QB Nathan Scheelhaase did enough on the ground and in the air to win. Name a Big Ten team that struggled through the first two weeks of the season and they're on Illinois' schedule: Northwestern, Indiana, Ohio State, Purdue, Penn State and Minnesota. The toughest games, Wisconsin and Michigan, are at home. Illinois might not play for a Big Ten title, but the Illini may be in good position for a 10-win season.

rivals.com