Sports · American Football · 1 hr ago
Illinois coach says Illini would be top-15 team in the SEC
Illinois beat Nebraska 24-13 on Friday night, improving its record to 6-3.
The win made the Illini bowl-eligible for a third straight season and extended their winning streak to four games.
Coach Bret Bielema said Illinois would probably be a top-15 team if it played in the SEC, taking a jab at the College Football Playoff rankings.
Those rankings placed five SEC teams in the top 12, compared with three from the Big Ten, prompting criticism from Big Ten coaches.
Illinois has also tightened up its defense, allowing 13.3 points per game in its last three wins after giving up more than 34 points per game early in the season.
The Illini next face Oregon and UCLA, and Bielema said a 9-3 team can reach the playoff, though a berth for Illinois is described as unlikely.
Illinois beat Nebraska 24-13 on Friday to improve to 6-3 and become bowl-eligible.
The Illini have won four straight after opening the season 2-3.
Coach Bret Bielema said Illinois would probably be a top-15 team if it played in the SEC.
His comment came amid debate over the first College Football Playoff rankings, which included five SEC teams in the top 12.
Bielema said a 9-3 team could make the playoffs.
- Who
- Illinois coach Bret Bielema and the Illini.
- What
- Bielema said Illinois would probably be a top-15 team if it were in the SEC.
- When
- After Illinois beat Nebraska on Friday, November 6, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Bielema was responding to the College Football Playoff rankings and the prominence of SEC teams in them.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Illinois began the season 2-3.
Illinois changed defensive coordinators and had a bye week before beginning its winning streak.
The first College Football Playoff rankings were released, with five SEC teams in the top 12.
Illinois beat Nebraska 24-13, reached 6-3 and became bowl-eligible.
Bielema said Illinois would probably be a top-15 team if it were in the SEC.
- Illinois record
- 6-3 after the Nebraska win
- Nebraska score
- Illinois won 24-13
- Winning streak
- Four straight wins
- SEC teams in CFP top 12
- Five
- Illinois bowl eligibility
- Secured with the win over Nebraska
3 sources
What people are saying
If we were in the SEC, we'd probably be a top-15 team.
a 9-3 team can get into the playoffs.
These people -- and there's a whole bunch of them -- they march out of the tent, they're given instructions on what to say and follow the company line.