Illinois still ranked after Indiana blowout, faces USC Next
Illinois still ranked at No. 23 in the latest AP Top 25 poll despite a 63-10 loss to Indiana on Saturday. The Illini dropped 14 spots after the blowout but remain in the national conversation heading into a pivotal home matchup against No. 21 USC.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois is still hanging on in the polls, even after one of its ugliest losses in years. The Illini fell 14 spots to No. 23 in this week’s AP Top 25 following a 63-10 thrashing at Indiana, a game that set records for all the wrong reasons.
For a team that had climbed as high as No. 9 just a week ago, the drop was steep but not fatal. Voters clearly didn’t wipe Illinois off the map, giving them some benefit of the doubt after last year’s 10-win season and the strong start to 2025. It’s a sign there’s still respect for Bret Bielema’s group, though their credibility definitely took a hit.
The numbers out of Bloomington were brutal. Indiana rolled up 579 yards to Illinois’ 161, out-rushed the Illini 312 to two, and sacked Luke Altmyer seven times. Illinois tied the game early on a 59-yard touchdown to Collin Dixon, but after that the Hoosiers poured it on, handing Bielema the largest loss of his Illinois tenure.
Still, Illinois gets a chance to turn the page quickly. The Illini return home this Saturday for an 11 a.m. kickoff on FOX against No. 21 USC, and the Big Noon Kickoff crew will be in Champaign to set the stage. It’s also Homecoming, which only adds to the spotlight.
The Trojans bring one of the country’s best offenses, led by quarterback Jayden Maiva and wideout Makai Lemon, and they’re averaging 55 points a game. For Illinois, the focus isn’t just about beating USC—it’s about showing voters and fans that the Indiana loss was a one-off and not the beginning of a slide.
Illinois stayed in the poll this week, but if they don’t respond against USC, that won’t last long.
