CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) — The Illinois Fighting Illini are on a roll — and the college football world is taking notice.
Following a 38-0 blowout victory over Western Michigan on Saturday, head coach Bret Bielema and his Illini squad climbed to No. 8 in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll, released Sunday. It marks Illinois’ highest national ranking since 2001, continuing an early-season surge that has fans in Champaign thinking big.
The Illini improved to 3-0 with Saturday’s win at Memorial Stadium, anchored by a dominant second half in which they outscored the Broncos 28-0. Quarterback Luke Altmyer orchestrated the offense, while Illinois’ defense posted its second straight game allowing fewer than 10 points.
“We challenged the guys at halftime to take it up a notch,” Bielema said postgame. “They answered the call — especially on the defensive side of the ball.”
Illinois is now one of six Big Ten teams ranked in the Top 25, joining No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Penn State, No. 5 Oregon, No. 17 Indiana, and No. 20 Michigan.
With defensive linemen collapsing the pocket and the secondary locking down the Broncos’ pass game, Western Michigan struggled to find any rhythm. Offensively, Altmyer spread the ball efficiently, and wide receiver Collin Dixon delivered several key plays to keep the offense moving.
“We’re not satisfied,” Altmyer said. “We’ve got a lot more football to play, and we’re building something week by week.” Illinois hits the road next weekend for a critical Big Ten showdown against No. 17 Indiana.
