Where Illinois Ranks Among Big Ten Teams in ESPN’s Post-Spring Top 25

Behind returning quarterback Luke Altmyer, the Illini were ranked in the top 12 with three other conference foes

Nov 30, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) passes the ball against Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images | Matt Marton-Imagn Images

With the SEC’s domination on the court making so many headlines last season, the Big Ten's overthrowing of the SEC's efforts on the gridiron has largely been swept under the rug.

After sending four programs (more than any other conference in the NCAA) to the first-ever College Football Playoff – including the top overall seed in Oregon and the eventual national champion in Ohio State, it appears the Big Ten has slowly crept past the SEC on the football field.

The critics will say, of course, that it was only one year.

But in the eyes of one college football expert – ESPN’s Mark Schlabach – the Big Ten may be challenging the SEC again in 2025, as four squads from each conference landed in his top 12, including Penn State at No. 1 and Illinois at No. 11.

The Nittany Lions earned the top overall spot for a reason: the return of their three-headed offensive monster. Penn State rarely struggles on the defensive side of the football, but the offense often goes stagnant when the lights are the brightest.

That shouldn’t be a problem this year. The return of star quarterback Drew Allar and college football’s premier 1-2 running back punch of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton all but assures it.

Meanwhile, the Illini return 76 percent of last season’s production, ranking third among all FBS teams in that marker. Schlabach also points out that Illinois “added a handful of veteran defensive linemen from the transfer portal.”

Luke Altmyer's Week 4 highlight reel:#B1GFootball x @IlliniFootball pic.twitter.com/5dkCkfM1zP

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 23, 2024

Between the returning talent from Illinois' first 10-win season since 2001 and the incoming group, the Illini appear to be in line for an excellent campaign – potent enough to help the Big Ten reign over its SEC counterpart yet again.

Big Ten teams in ESPN’s Top 25:

No. 1 Penn State

No. 5 Ohio State

No. 8 Oregon

No. 11 Illinois

No. 17 Indiana

No. 20 Michigan

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Where Illinois Football Lands on Joel Klaat's Post-Spring Top 25 for 2025