Football
Illinois Football news: Illini sneaks In College Football Playoff Rankings
Illinois Football has cracked the College Football Playoff rankings for the second time during the Bret Bielema Era.

Illinois Football Coming in at No. 25 in CFP Rankings
The College Football Playoff (CFP) committee released its third round of 2024 polls on Tuesday evening (11/19), and Illinois Football has earned a spot following a commanding 38-16 victory over Michigan State.
The 7-3 (4-3 in Big Ten play) Illini snuck their way into Tuesday’s CFP polls at No. 25 (11/19), marking the 3rd time since Bret Bielema’s hire in 2020, that Illinois has clinched a position within the standings. (#16 – 2022, #21 – 2022, #25- 2024).
Illinois currently joins four other Big Ten programs in the CFP polls. Notably, the Fighting Illini are the only team representing the conference from outside of the top five.
Big Ten Teams – College Football Playoff Rankings (11/19)
(1) Oregon (11-0)
(2) Ohio State (9-1)
(3) Penn State (9-1)
(5) Indiana (10-0)
(25) Illinois (7-3)
NEWS: Illini Football is 25th in the College Football playoff Selection Committee rankings🔥🔥🔥
🎨:@rjburjek pic.twitter.com/2W5G2WyEdk— Armchair Illinois (@ArmchairIllini) November 20, 2024
A New Era Under Bret Bielema
Before Bret Bielema’s arrival in 2020, the Illini Football program had been in a difficult spot for quite some time.
Prior to the 2022 season (Bielema’s second year) the Fighting Illini had not been ranked in the AP Top 25 since their 6-0 start in 2011, a season that ultimately unraveled with a disastrous six-game losing streak. That skid led to the firing of coach Ron Zook and left the program searching for stability for the next 13 years.

Nov 16, 2024; Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for reading Armchair Illini!
We at Armchair Illini are proudly sponsored by Hamilton Walker’s Steak, Seafood, and Spirits. Located in the heart of downtown Champaign, there is no better restaurant for Illini fans to visit. Order online here or call (217) 350-0363 to make a reservation.
For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher at alexkyi13@gmail.com. Please use our Seatgeek code for $20 off your purchase on Seatgeek.com: ARMCHAIRILLINOIS. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing Illinois media outlets around!
-
Football5 days ago
Former Illini Pat Bryant makes NFL Debut
-
Football6 days ago
Breaking: Illini Freshman RB Out for the Season
-
Football2 days ago
Former Illinois Football Wide Receiver Signs with the 49’ers
-
Football5 days ago
Luke Altmyer: Faith, Leadership, and the Heartbeat of Illinois Football
-
Basketball10 hours ago
Top 25 guard Cameron Holmes to visit Illinois basketball
-
Football1 day ago
Illinois Football Opens 2025 Season with Huge Point Spread vs WIU
-
Basketball7 hours ago
Illinois basketball announces intensive non-conference schedule in 2025
-
Football2 days ago
Armchair Illini Podcast Episode 2: Big Ten Preview With CBS’s Tom Fornelli