Illinois football ranked in AP Top 25 Poll for first time in over a decade

The Fighting Illini notched another win yesterday, defeating Iowa 9-6 in a slugfest in Memorial Stadium.

Their efforts were rewarded with a No. 24 ranking in the AP Top 25 poll. It’s the first time the Illini have been ranked in the top 25 in over a decade.

The B1G Network announced the news on Twitter on Sunday immediately after the rankings were released.

No. 24 📈@IlliniFootball is ranked for the first time since 2011. pic.twitter.com/EDkzShgTyT

— Illinois on BTN (@IllinoisOnBTN) October 9, 2022

Illinois advanced to 5-1 on the season, capping off a three game win streak. Illinois beat out both Wisconsin and Iowa, marking the first time since 1989 that the Illini have beaten both teams.  The win also ends the longest poll appearance drought among Power 5 teams for Illinois.

Last week Kansas made the Top 25 for the first time since 2009, ending the longest rankings drought of any Power 5 team.
That gave Illinois the longest drought–for a week. The Illini now join Kansas in the Top 25.
Rutgers now has the longest drought. https://t.co/Me88dA26cI

— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) October 9, 2022

 The Illini enter the Top 25 list thanks in large part to their defense. The Illini defense is No. 1 in scoring defense, No. 1 in pass efficiency defense, No. 2 in total defense, No. 3 in rushing defense, No. 9 in sacks and No. 10 in interceptions amongst FBS teams.