Illinois ranks No. 17 in newest US LBM Coaches Poll
Journal Star sports editor Wes Huett reacts to Illinois’ No. 17 ranking in the newest US LBM Coaches Poll.
CHAMPAIGN — The Illinois Fighting Illini have won two games in a row and are back in the College Football Playoff mix after postseason contenders Penn State and Texas tumbled down the ranks.
The Illini (5-1) are a lock for bowl game, with their eyes still on one of the larger ones. Most experts have Illinois again facing an SEC team in a late December bowl game. The Illini won 10 games last season, including a 21-17 win over the SEC’s South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl.
Ahead of a showdown with top-ranked Ohio State, here is where some of the top college football experts have coach Bret Bielema and the Illini playing in the postseason:
2025 Illinois football bowl projections after Week 6
- Music City Bowl: vs. Vanderbilt, Dec. 30 | CBS Sports
- Music City Bowl: vs. Missouri, Dec. 30 | USA TODAY
- Music City Bowl: vs. Mississippi State, Dec. 30 | ESPN (Mark Schlabach)
- Music City Bowl: vs. LSU, Dec. 30 | On3Sports
- ReliaQuest Bowl: vs. Texas, Dec. 31 | Sports Illustrated
- ReliaQuest Bowl: vs. Texas, Dec. 31 | College Football News
- ReliaQuest Bowl: vs. South Carolina, Dec. 31 | Sports Grid
- Citrus Bowl: vs. Missouri, Dec. 31 | ESPN (Kyle Bonagura)
- Citrus Bowl: vs. Oklahoma, Dec. 31 | Pro Football Network
- Las Vegas Bowl: vs. Arizona State, Dec. 31 | Athlon Sports
