You’re right. Probably 2 spots
Week 2 Polls - Illinois #11 in AP Poll
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Ummmmm Western Illinois is an FCS school that hasn’t finished at least .500 in its conference since 2018 that’s how. Number 12 team in nation is supposed to throttle a team like WIU at home. Va Tech might not be a great team but, but they are an FBS team that has gone to bowl games last two years and it was a neutral site game.I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled we're #11 in football. However, how the HELL did we only jump 1 spot after throttling WIU 52-3, yet South Carolina, a team we BEAT in the Citrus Bowl last year(I know, I know, last season isn't now, but still...) jumps THREE spots AND passes us after beating freakin' Virginia Tech by a score of only 24-11?? HOW??
Oh wait, they're an SEC school(even tho they didn't play an SEC team this past weekend), that's why...
1. Chill. It's not that big a dealI mean, don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled we're #11 in football. However, how the HELL did we only jump 1 spot after throttling WIU 52-3, yet South Carolina, a team we BEAT in the Citrus Bowl last year(I know, I know, last season isn't now, but still...) jumps THREE spots AND passes us after beating freakin' Virginia Tech by a score of only 24-11?? HOW??
Oh wait, they're an SEC school(even tho they didn't play an SEC team this past weekend), that's why...
2. If anything, voters do not deviate from their prior rankings enough, particularly early in the season. If anything they should do so more. VT is an ACC team that made a bowl game last season (albeit barely). WIU is an FCS team that went 4-8. South Carolina's win is a better win, and it's fine that they got a bump because of it. Long season ahead we will have opportunities to pass them back up very soon.
3. SEC schools didn't do great in this week's poll. If there was a strong SEC bias I'd have thought you'd see UGA or LSU leapfrog into the top spot. Instead the top 2 teams are Big Ten, as is #5, with Big Ten teams getting 63 first place votes, and SEC teams getting 3.
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
The primary goal of last week was avoiding a scenario where we do not look good (i.e., Kansas State). That goal was accomplished -- the Illini did exactly what they are supposed to do as a top 15 team (cover a spread of 45.5).
The Illini were never going to move in the polls much if they did what they were supposed to do against WIU (a very bad FCS school). If the Illini do happen to put a beat down on Duke, it is hard to see the Illini jumping many teams in front of them (no teams in top 10 will be on upset watch this week). It is likely that the Illini will stay around where they are now (maybe get to number 10 in AP poll).
I am very happy with where the Illini are slated in the polls (the pollsters are actually giving the Illini a great deal of respect at this point of the season).
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I understand that. I just don't agree with them going from being ranked 1 below us to 1 ahead of us when they weren't impressive in their victory over Virginia freakin' Tech. And they were also struggling MIGHTILY against VT until the 4th quarter. If they had destroyed VT, I'd understand the reasoning more. But that didn't happen because again, they struggled against VT for most of the game. No way they should be ahead of us imo.
Noblesville Illini
- Nappanee, IN
Exactly! Keep winning and there won’t be anything to argue about!
Just win, baby!
PS: Did I mention I hate Duke?
PS: Did I mention I hate Duke?
MoCoMdIllini
- Montgomery County, Maryland
It was implicit.
And scUM and Bama
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
And VT handed that game to them on a shiny platter. Beamer won't be in the Top 10 come October.
Votes for Bama at 8 from the SEC heads had to go somewhere else to support the narrative
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
Oh my god, people! We beat South Carolina. Why are you letting them live rent free in your head???
They beat a P4 team. Let them have their moment after week 1. Geeze.
They beat a P4 team. Let them have their moment after week 1. Geeze.
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
I think a prerequisite on this board is to somehow complain about even positive developments. There is nothing to complain about for the Illini ranking, so for some, there is the need to manufacture complaints based upon what happened nine months ago.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
#TeamRankingsMatter:
VERY unlikely that any teams in front of us lose, but I still think we can see some real movement if we win at Duke (especially if it is a convincing victory).
#10 South Carolina plays South Carolina State at home
#9 Notre Dame has a bye week
#8 Clemson plays Troy at home
Considering South Carolina only jumped US because they got a Power Conference win, I think we'd jump them right back with a win vs. Duke. It's more difficult to say if we could get all the way up to #8, but Clemson and Notre Dame are both coming off of upset losses ... so again, depending on how we look vs. Duke, jumping up to 3 spots IS possible, IMO.
VERY unlikely that any teams in front of us lose, but I still think we can see some real movement if we win at Duke (especially if it is a convincing victory).
#10 South Carolina plays South Carolina State at home
#9 Notre Dame has a bye week
#8 Clemson plays Troy at home
Considering South Carolina only jumped US because they got a Power Conference win, I think we'd jump them right back with a win vs. Duke. It's more difficult to say if we could get all the way up to #8, but Clemson and Notre Dame are both coming off of upset losses ... so again, depending on how we look vs. Duke, jumping up to 3 spots IS possible, IMO.
Might be a while. DeBoer is a really solid coach IMHO, but there are signs that coaching in the South vs what he did at Washington are apples and oranges. Following a legend doesn't help either. They can't afford to buy him out, so he'll get plenty of time.
illinifan31
Former Krush Cow
- South Bend, IN
SC jumping us makes sense if you look at the voter breakdown from Week 1.
Most common vote for SC was 11, but 8 people didn't vote for them at all.
Most common vote for us was 13, and 5 people didn't vote for us at all.
SC voters stick at 11 and many of those 8 people change their ballots and they easily jump us.
Most common vote for SC was 11, but 8 people didn't vote for them at all.
Most common vote for us was 13, and 5 people didn't vote for us at all.
SC voters stick at 11 and many of those 8 people change their ballots and they easily jump us.
IlliniwekKDR
- Colorado Springs, CO
If he went from Washington to Florida, it might be more like apples and oranges. Not sure if Alabama can claim a specific fruit
Yeah, I can imagine in the reverse scenario, no one would be like "WELL SOUTH CAROLINA BEAT US IN THE CITRUS BOWL 9 MONTHS AGO SO WE CAN'T EXPECT TO BE AHEAD OF THEM"
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
The other issue is that they have expectations of CFP run or bust. Last season, Alabama went 9-3 in the regular season with a number of ranked wins but had three true road losses (and then a loss in a bowl game). For many programs that would be a very successful season, especially for a first-year coach. The reality is that for Bama, not making the CFP is a terrible season.
Relating to Saturday, it was a true road game. Bama certainly did not look good, but it is possible that FSU prove that last season was an outlier and that they are very good.
DeBoer took on a role that is very difficult, but the money will definitely make up for the rumbles that he will be feeling on a constant basis.
Because Virginia Tech would also beat WIU 52-3? Let's not underestimate how bad they are. South Carolina beat a team with a pulse, we didn't. It's only week 1.I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled we're #11 in football. However, how the HELL did we only jump 1 spot after throttling WIU 52-3, yet South Carolina, a team we BEAT in the Citrus Bowl last year(I know, I know, last season isn't now, but still...) jumps THREE spots AND passes us after beating freakin' Virginia Tech by a score of only 24-11?? HOW??
Oh wait, they're an SEC school(even tho they didn't play an SEC team this past weekend), that's why...
Best Duke, then move on. It'll all sort itself out.
P.s....you're right. Last year has absolutely NOTHING to do with this year. With the portal, entire rosters are different. There shouldn't even be polls released until after week 6 IMO.
just win baby , or win most , and it all takes care of itself
10-2 Illini are in the CFP , unless both losses are just hideously bad
He should have never left Washington. He should have leveraged the interest for more money. It would have not been Alabama money, but he would have had a long leash at Washington after the success of the first two seasons.
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