By IlliniGuys Staff
October 5, 2025
The Illinois football team will be ranked among the nation's top 20 football teams when they host defending national champion and top-ranked Ohio State on Saturday.
The Illini jumped five spots in both the Associated Press and the coaches poll to stand at number 17 in both national rankings after week six.
Illinois downed Purdue 43-27 on Saturday for their first win in West Lafayette since 2019 and securing their third 5-1 start in five seasons under head coach Bret Bielema, the first Illini coach to do that since the legendary Ray Eliot in the 1950s. The Illini are also 2-1 in Big Ten conference play.
They now prepare for a rare matchup as this weekend's 11am kickoff (televised by FOX) will mark only the second time that a ranked Illinois team will face a number one ranked team. In 1950, 8th ranked Illinois knocked off No. 1 Ohio State 14-7 in Champaign.
Overall, Ohio State has won nine straight in the series and is an early two-touchdown favorite.
The Illini have now been in 12 straight AP polls, dating back to last season. That is their longest streak since being included in 33 consecutive AP rankings during the entire 1989 and 1990 seasons.
Illini Defeat Purdue on the Road 43-27 - #509
ListenIlliniGuys Sports Spectacular - Illini FB Beats USC on to Purdue, BB & Game Predictions - 10.3.25 - S5E8
ListenI on the Illini - Illini FB Preview: Purdue #508
ListenI on the Illini LIVE/Illini Central Postgame - Redemption Win Over USC - #507
ListenIndiana Loss, USC Preview and Hoops Update S5Ep7 9.26.25
ListenIllini Football Preview - USC - #506
ListenHeat Checks & Hail Marys – 6 Days to ?
ListenIllini Nuked by Hoosiers 63-10 - #505
ListenIllini vs Indiana, 2025-26 Illini Hoops Schedule, Game Predictions & More - S5Ep6
Listen2025-26 Illini B1G Basketball Schedule - #504
ListenIllini Football Preview – Indiana Hoosiers #503
ListenIllini Crush Western Michigan - #502
ListenIlliniGuys Sports Spectacular - $100 Million Donation, Illini Football Update & Canelo vs Crawford S5Ep5 - 9.12.25
ListenIllinois Football Preview - Western Michigan - #501
ListenIllini Destroy Duke 45-19 #500
Listen