October 10, 2021
(Photo courtesy Athens Online)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- After what happened deep in the heart of Texas Saturday night, we approach living in a world with a new team atop the mountain in college football.
Everybody say hi to the Georgia Bulldogs and head coach Kirby Smart, who will likely lead this program to its first No. 1 ranking in both polls for the first time since 2008. Georgia was ranked No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings for a week in 2017 before losing in blowout fashion the following week at Auburn.
And now the question becomes what to do with Alabama? I decided on fifth because the loss to a Texas A&M team who has barely survived at Colorado while also losing to Mississippi State and Arkansas in the previous two weeks should have ramifications. However, I do think Iowa, Cincinnati or Oklahoma is a better football team than Alabama. Those three schools are just having better seasons than Alabama. Also, the win by Texas A&M explodes the Aggies (4-2, 1-2 in SEC) up the rankings to No. 18 and while I fear I’m being reactive, I just can’t ignore that kind of resume win for a program that desperately needed something good to happen.
The Kentucky at Georgia next weekend on CBS is going to answer a lot of questions because it will either end the idea that the Wildcats are being disrespected as an undefeated team or it will make them have a legitimate case for a No. 1 ranking because an upset will give them an inside track to its first SEC Championship Game appearance with wins over Florida and Georgia.
I also have to recognize that Wake Forest, for a team that is 6-0 right now, is probably ranked too low and head coach Dave Clawson has done a remarkable job remaking this program but there’s a reality that the Demon Deacons could go through the entire regular season and possibly a ACC Championship Game undefeated without having faced a single ranked opponent.
Without further ado, here are my rankings for Oct. 10….
Sports Spectacular - Illini FB Clash with Washington & Illini BB Ready for Tipoff - S5Ep11 - 10.24.25
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Illinois Football Preview - Washington #515
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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Orlando Antigua
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Illini BB vs ISU & FB Coaching Openings #514
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IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular - Illini Recruiting Updates - S5Ep10 - 10.17.25
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Sturdy’s Illini Hoops Thoughts & More - #513
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Illini Mistakes Costly in 34-16 Loss to Ohio State #512
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IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular - #1 tOSU at #17 Illini - S5Ep9 - 10.10.25
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I on the Illini - The B1G & Private Equity with Tony Altimore #511
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I on the Illini - Illini Football Preview - Ohio State - #510
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Illini Defeat Purdue on the Road 43-27 - #509
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IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular - Illini FB Beats USC on to Purdue, BB & Game Predictions - 10.3.25 - S5E8
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I on the Illini - Illini FB Preview: Purdue #508
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I on the Illini LIVE/Illini Central Postgame - Redemption Win Over USC - #507
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Indiana Loss, USC Preview and Hoops Update S5Ep7 9.26.25
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