By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
October 5, 2021
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- There are two distinct narratives as the 2021 college football season enters the month of October.
First, Alabama and Georgia are just head and shoulders above everybody else in the country and are proving that (especially on the defensive side of the line-of-scrimmage) each and every week. Barring a massive upset of epic proportions, I don’t see No. 1 or No. 2 changing on my ballot until those two teams play each other in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game in Atlanta on Dec. 4. And right now, the loser of that game probably has a strong case to remain at No. 2.
Second, I think you can take the teams vying for spots at No. 3 through No. 12, write their names down on a sheet of paper and draw them out of a hat and not necessarily be grossly wrong with obvious exceptions (Oregon did still beat Ohio State in Columbus).
I struggled with what to do with teams from about 16 to the end but I want to applaud the job Dave Clawson is doing at Wake Forest as the Demon Deacons are 3-0 in ACC play and have started its season 4-0 overall for just the fifth-time this century (2019, 2017, 2016, 2006) and the fourth time in the Clawson era.
Yes, Florida has two losses (31-29 vs. Alabama on Sept. 18 and 20-13 at Kentucky last weekend) but I still think the 2-2 Gators are a gifted football team that are a total of play or two away from being a miraculous 4-0.
I’d like to welcome SMU to my Top 25 ballot as the alma mater of Doak Walker and Eric Dickerson are 5-0 and have a chance to implode Cincinnati’s run to the College Football Playoff when the Mustangs travel to The Queen City on Nov. 20.
Without further ado…
Fighting Illini with an Unexpected 80-74 OT Loss to Nebraska - #456
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Heat Checks & Hail Marys - Illini Star C Out, Jerry Jones Strikes Again, & RIP Efrem Winters
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Fighting Illini 83-74 Destruction of Northwestern #455
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Jan 24 - Hour 2 - S4Ep24 - College Football, Caitlin Clark & Taylor Swift and Title IX
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Jan 24 - Hour 1 - S4Ep24 - Illini Hoops & Recruiting and David Cobb of CBS
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Fighting Illini Smashed 91-70 by Maryland - #454
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Fighting Illini Lose to Spartans 80-78 in Close but Controversial Loss #453
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Jan 17 - Hour 2 - S4Ep23 - Illini Commit Davon Grant, Ant Wright & NFL & CFP Predictions
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Jan 17 - Hour 1 - S4Ep23 - Illini Hoops - Men's & Women's
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Fighting Illini Crush the Indiana Hoosiers 94-69 on the Road #452
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Heat Checks & Hail Marys - Illini Hoops Ups & Downs, What's Wrong with Penn State & Ohio State Makes the Plays to Win
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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Davon Grant - 2026 WR Commit Talks to Ked Prince
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Fighting Illini Upset 82-72 by USC Trojans - #451
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Jan 10 - Hour 2 - S4Ep22 - NFL Talk and Portal Winners & Losers
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Jan 10 - Hour 1 - S4Ep22 - Illini Hoops Victories & Recruiting
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