The Illinois football team will start the season with its highest ranking in over 30 years. The Fighting Illini was ranked number-12 the USA Today Preseason Coaches Poll. That is the first time Illinois has started the season in the Coaches Poll top 15 since 1990. The Illini will kick off the 2025 football season at home against Western Illinois on Friday, August 29th.
| Rank | Team | Record | PTS | 1st | Prev | Chg | Hi/Lo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 0-0 | 1606 | 28 | NR | – | 1/1 |
| 2 | Ohio State | 0-0 | 1565 | 20 | NR | – | 2/2 |
| 3 | Penn State | 0-0 | 1525 | 14 | NR | – | 3/3 |
| 4 | Georgia | 0-0 | 1466 | 3 | NR | – | 4/4 |
| 5 | Notre Dame | 0-0 | 1360 | 0 | NR | – | 5/5 |
| 6 | Clemson | 0-0 | 1324 | 2 | NR | – | 6/6 |
| 7 | Oregon | 0-0 | 1307 | 0 | NR | – | 7/7 |
| 8 | Alabama | 0-0 | 1210 | 0 | NR | – | 8/8 |
| 9 | LSU | 0-0 | 1056 | 0 | NR | – | 9/9 |
| 10 | Miami (Fl.) | 0-0 | 823 | 0 | NR | – | 10/10 |
| 11 | Arizona St. | 0-0 | 806 | 0 | NR | – | 11/11 |
| 12 | Illinois | 0-0 | 734 | 0 | NR | – | 12/12 |
| 13 | South Carolina | 0-0 | 665 | 0 | NR | – | 13/13 |
| 14 | Michigan | 0-0 | 580 | 0 | NR | – | 14/14 |
| 15 | Ole Miss | 0-0 | 573 | 0 | NR | – | 15/15 |
| 16 | SMU | 0-0 | 555 | 0 | NR | – | 16/16 |
| 17 | Florida | 0-0 | 498 | 0 | NR | – | 17/17 |
| 18 | Tennessee | 0-0 | 492 | 0 | NR | – | 18/18 |
| 19 | Indiana | 0-0 | 460 | 0 | NR | – | 19/19 |
| 20 | Kansas St. | 0-0 | 438 | 0 | NR | – | 20/20 |
| 21 | Texas A&M | 0-0 | 392 | 0 | NR | – | 21/21 |
| 21 | Iowa State | 0-0 | 392 | 0 | NR | – | 21/21 |
| 23 | BYU | 0-0 | 287 | 0 | NR | – | 23/23 |
| 24 | Texas Tech | 0-0 | 261 | 0 | NR | – | 24/24 |
| 25 | Boise State | 0-0 | 246 | 0 | NR | – | 25/25 |
Others Receiving Votes
Oklahoma 221; Missouri 142; Louisville 126; USC 116; Utah 86; Baylor 76; Auburn 50; Iowa 49; Memphis 34; Army West Point 33; Tulane 31; Georgia Tech 27; TCU 24; Nebraska 19; Syracuse 16; Washington 15; Navy 14; Arkansas 14; Duke 12; Colorado 12; Minnesota 11; UNLV 8; Florida State 8; Kansas 6; Vanderbilt 3; Buffalo 1;
***Story courtesy of 24/7 News Source***
