Nebraska, Penn State Shine in Week 4 Big Ten Power Rankings
Saturday Blitz Big Ten Power Rankings Week 4
11. Illinois Fighting Illini, 3-1 (0-0), Defeated Texas State Bobcats 42-35 Last Saturday
Illinois is 3-1, and nobody can take that away from them, but there are still some major questions about this team. For the third straight game, the defense has once again shown itself to be a major cause for concern.
After getting blown out by Washington last week, Illinois had to escape Texas State last Saturday and only won by a touchdown. As of right now, their record is the only thing that has kept them from being one of thee bottom three teams in these conference power rankings.
Still, Tim Beckman’s team is showing improvement in his third year. Say what you want, but 3-1 is 3-1, and after the Illini went 2-10 Beckman’s first year and 4-8 last year, another two-game improvement to at least 6 wins seems very plausible this year. A road game agains Nebraska this week though is a great chance for an upset, and it would make an incredible statement for the trajectory of the program. The team would also jump up this list then.