Illinois Climbs Five Spots in AP Rankings Ahead of Major Matchup

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Illinois will host top-ranked Ohio State as the No. 17 team in the country.

Following their victory against Purdue, the Illini climbed five positions in the newest AP Top 25 rankings. Ohio State continues to hold the No. 1 spot after defeating Minnesota.

Two teams that received national preseason praise are out of this week’s poll following unranked losses: previously No. 9 Texas and No. 7 Penn State.

The Buckeyes are the only future Illinois opponent ranked in the Week 7 poll.

1. Ohio State (40)
2. Miami (21)
3. Oregon (5)
4. Ole Miss
5. Texas A&M
6. Oklahoma
7. Indiana
8. Alabama
9. Texas Tech
10. Georgia
11. LSU
12. Tennessee
13. Georgia Tech
14. Missouri
15. Michigan
16. Notre Dame
17. Illinois
18. BYU
19. Virginia
20. Vanderbilt
21. Arizona State
22. Iowa State
23. Memphis
24. USF
25. Florida State

Illinois will host Ohio State at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 11 on Fox.