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 Back in the New York Groove - Big Win Over #11 FAU #304
Listen2023 Illini FB Season in Review - Part 2 #303
ListenHuge Illini Road Win Over Rutgers 76-58 #302
ListenDec 1 Weekend (S3,Ep16)
Listen2023 Illini FB Season in Review - Part 1 #301
ListenPost Game Analysis – Illini 45-43 Loss to Northwestern #300
ListenInstant Take – Illini 45-43 Loss to Northwestern #299
ListenIllini Defeat Western IL 84-52 #298
ListenNov 24 Weekend (S3,Ep15)
ListenNorthwestern at Illinois Preview #297
ListenIllini Defeat Southern U 88-60 #296
ListenPost Game Analysis - Illini Lose to Iowa 15-13 #295
ListenInstant Take - Illini lose to Iowa 15-13 #294
ListenIllini Big 2nd Half Dooms Valpo 87-64 #293
ListenNov 17 Weekend (S3,Ep14)
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