Based on what evidence? Why shouldn't we expect a complete beat-down at Nebraska in two weeks?
Based on the fact that no team in the BIG West is as good as either UNC or WMU.
Yes, Nebraska beat Oregon at home and Wisconsin beat LSU at Lambeau, but Oregon is not as good as they were even a couple of years ago. Their coach will probably be let go soon. (Oregon's QB is garbage, very inaccurate) And LSU benched their QB from the Wisconsin game in their following game vs. Jacksonville St. for being inept. They replaced him with Purdue transfer Etling, who is pretty good. Good trade for Etling going from the worst team in the BIG to LSU. His center is Graham Pocic's younger brother, I believe.
Iowa lost to a really good FCS team at home, Northwestern lost to WMU and Illinois St,. Purdue is Purdue, Wisconsin barely beat Georgia St., Minnesota we host for Homecoming.
And as the season progresses, the Illini will improve as the players learn the system and the coaches learn the players, etc.
There is the evidence. Now we shall see. I never claimed we would go unbeaten in the BIG West. I just stated that we can play with all of the BIG West teams.
The team has a bye week to clean things up, lick their wounds and come out focused and ready to play BIG football.