Husker Corner
Fansided

Big Ten Power Rankings Heading Into Week 5

By Oliver Vandervoort

Sep 3, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Samuel Harlib (82) and Illinois Fighting Illini offensive lineman Joe Spencer (71) celebrate with head coach Lovie Smith after the game against the Murray State Racers at Memorial Stadium. Illinois defeated Murray State 52 to 3. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Samuel Harlib (82) and Illinois Fighting Illini offensive lineman Joe Spencer (71) celebrate with head coach Lovie Smith after the game against the Murray State Racers at Memorial Stadium. Illinois defeated Murray State 52 to 3. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 15
Next
Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports /

Fans of the fighting Illini could have a bit of a beef with me, considering they dropped a spot in the rankings without losing a game. This is, of course, why the power rankings are fluid.

Lovie Smith’s team took the week off and saw them get passed in the Big Ten power rankings by Purdue, because the Boilermakers not only won, but their quarterback played a whale of a game.

Offense is the name of the game for Purdue, but it’s defense for the Illini. Despite having the 40th best defense in the country, Illinois hasn’t managed to win many games. In fact the only game they have won this year is against an FCS school.

Their two games against FBS opponents have yielded 24 and 25 point losses. That’s a resume that will land you in the cellar of this conference every time. The good news, is the Illini could rise pretty swiftly if they manage to win this weekend.

The bad news is in order to do that, they’re going to have to take on a Nebraska football team that is currently ranked 15th in the country and is currently a 21 point favorite.

Home/Big Ten News