Big Ten Power Rankings Week 2: Ohio State Still On Top But Penn State Closing Gap
By Corey Hunter
No. 13 Illinois (Last Week – 12) ↓1
The Fighting Illini opened their 2017 campaign with thrilling 24-21 win over Ball State. It took a last-second field goal block from Jamal Milan to seal the win for Illinois, but second-year head coach Lovie Smith will take the win. The Illini will need to scrape together every win they can to reach the six victories needed to become bowl-eligible.
The next step in that six-win plateau is a match up this week with Western Kentucky. A win over the Hilltoppers and the fans in Champaign may have something to get giddy about.
However, matchups with South Florida, Nebraska, and Iowa await the Illini in the coming weeks.