Illinois Football schedule consists of four AP Top 25 teams

The Associated Press has released their first official college football top-25 rankings of the season, and 4 Illinois football opponents have made the cut. Surely, the rankings are going to change as the season unfolds, and as we dive deeper into the 2024 schedule. However, as it stands, this intriguing Illini squad faces a really tough road ahead, and some very good teams.

🚨The first AP Top 25 CFB Poll of the season is out 🚨

Do you agree with your team’s preseason ranking? 📊🧐 pic.twitter.com/brYCGeyv34

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 12, 2024

The Tough Road Ahead

 3 – Oregon – (Scheduled 10/26/24 @ Oregon)

8 – Penn State – (Scheduled 9/28/24 @ Penn State)

 9 – Michigan – (Scheduled 10/19/24 @ Michigan)

 22 – Kansas – (Scheduled 9/7/24 @ Kansas)

The Illinois Football program is fighting hard for 6+ wins in 2024, and looking to make a splash entering the new era of college football. Certainly, that’s a tall task, as the Illini are set to face all 4 of their scheduled ranked opponents, including 3 top-10 opponents, within the first 8 games of the schedule.

Bret Bielema has displayed confidence in his team and believes this 2024 squad can break out, as the program once had in 2022.

An Important Game at the start.

The Illini will kick off their ranked opponents, with #22 Kansas, who put a hurt on them in Lawrence (KS) just a season ago. Lance Leipold‘s Jayhawks, led by highly regarded QB Jalon Daniels, come to Champaign on September 9th. A great opportunity for the Fighting Illini to set the tone of the season early, and create massive positive momentum. However, that theory goes both ways if you get beat badly at home.

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning, center, waits to take the field with his team for their game against Oregon State at Autzen Stadium Friday, Nov. 24, 2023.

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