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HuskerCorner’s Big Ten Football Power Rankings Heading Into Week 6

By Oliver Vandervoort

Sep 17, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers cornerback Chris Jones (8) celebrates during the final moments against the Oregon Ducks in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska won 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers cornerback Chris Jones (8) celebrates during the final moments against the Oregon Ducks in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska won 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 1, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Reggie Corbin (2) breaks away from Nebraska Cornhuskers safety Nate Gerry (25) in the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Reggie Corbin (2) breaks away from Nebraska Cornhuskers safety Nate Gerry (25) in the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /

Illinois hasn’t beaten an FBS opponent yet this year. They also don’t have a win in the Big Ten yet.

So how does a team with those two factors rise two spots in the Big Ten football power rankings? At least part of it is simply that the two teams below them are worse than I ever could have imagined.

There is also something to be said for the Illini, who went into Lincoln and gave the Nebraska Cornhuskers all they could handle for the second straight year. The Illini, in fact, led for a good portion of their game on Saturday, 16-10 but just couldn’t hold onto the victory.

Illinois is one of those teams that now that I’ve seen them up close and personal, I wonder why they’ve looked so bad so often. The team has talent on the offensive and defensive side of the ball, just not quite enough.

One piece of good news for Illinois, despite their 31-16 loss is that the running game seems to be coming along. Nebraska kept the Illini off the field for a good portion of the second half, but when they had the ball, both Reggie Corbin and Kendrick Foster looked good and both had 31 yard runs.

When the smoke cleared, Illinois was averaging 5.9 YPC against a run defense that has been solid, if not spectacular this season. Illinois should get its first win Big Ten football win next week when it takes on power rankings cellar dweller Purdue.

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