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….
Illini 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
ListenIllini FB at Duke & Arch Panic - S5Ep4 - 9.5.25
ListenIllini Football Preview versus Duke - #499
ListenIllini Destroy Leathernecks 52-3 - #498
ListenIllini FB is Here, So Is Petrovic & Illini in NFL - S5Ep3 - 8.29.25
ListenI on the Illini - Western Illinois Preview #497
ListenIllini FB & BB Updates & Phil Steele on the 2025 Illini FB Season - S5Ep2 - 8.22.25
Listen1st Show of 5th Season, Illini FB Ranked #12 - S5Ep1 - 8.15.25
ListenThe Top 5 Illini Basketball Coaches in IlliniGuy Memory - #496
ListenGreg Glass – NIL Primer & Can Fanstake.com Help Attract & Retain Athletic Talent - #495
ListenInterviews with Bret Bielema, Cam Crocker & Matt Stevens - S4Ep52 - 8.8.25
ListenIllini FB Coach Bret Bielema Chats with Mike & Rob Louthain Talks NIL & Illini Media - #494
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