Asmussen Top 25: Illinois climbs to No. 24

It appears like a very good weekend for Illinois, which did not get an opportunity to avenge an in depth loss to Michigan within the Massive Ten title recreation, however did safe a probable Florida bowl berth.

And, sure, Bret Bielema’s staff climbed a spot on The Information-Gazette’s Related Press Prime 25 poll to No. 24.

The most effective promoting level for the Illini, past their eight wins, is the near-miss in opposition to No. 2 Michigan. No one gave the Combating Harbaugh’s a greater recreation this season. Not Purdue, which hung for a half in Indy earlier than falling like everyone else does in opposition to the Wolverines.

We’ll by no means know for positive, however I do suppose Illinois would have stayed nearer in opposition to Michigan on Saturday evening and had an opportunity to win with a clear recreation.

Subsequent for Illinois is its bowl recreation with the vacation spot and opponent to be introduced Sunday afternoon. If the Illini win the sport, they’ll match the 2007 staff’s victory complete. Good firm.

Sufficient on the native staff, right here is that this week’s AP poll. You’ll word that I dropped Southern California a number of spots for its meltdown within the Pac-12 title recreation. Utah outscored the Trojans 44-7 after USC took a 17-3 lead.

Dec. 4 Prime 25

TEAM PREVIOUS

1. Georgia 1

2. Michigan 2

3. Ohio State 5

4. TCU 3

5. Alabama 6

6. Kansas State 9

7. Penn State 7

8. Tennessee 8

9. Clemson 11

10. Utah 12

11. Southern California 4

12. Washington 10

13. Florida State 13

14. Oregon State 15

15. Oregon 16

16. LSU 14

17. Tulane 18

18. Notre Dame 17

19. Texas 19

20. UCLA 20

21. South Carolina 21

22. UTSA 23

23. Mississippi State 22

24. Illinois 25

25. Troy —