Ranked sixteenth within the first Faculty Soccer Playoff rankings of the season launched this week, Illinois has an opportunity to considerably avenge its solely lack of the season on Saturday when it hosts Michigan State in Champaign, Ailing.

The Preventing Illini are unbeaten in nonconference and convention video games throughout the Massive Ten West Division, however their lone sport towards a Massive Ten East opponent was a 23-20 loss at Indiana in Week 2.

Michigan State is the second opponent from the Massive Ten East for Illinois this yr, and doubts in regards to the Preventing Illini stacking up towards the ballyhooed East stay.

Illinois has erased loads of doubt this season and capitalized on alternatives in changing into one of many nation’s most shocking success tales.

The Preventing Illini (7-1, 4-1) have received six straight because the loss to Indiana and sit atop the Massive Ten West, one sport forward of Purdue, which is able to go to Champaign on Nov. 12.

The No. 14 rating on this week’s AP Prime 25 Ballot is the best for Illinois since 2007, and it’s ranked by the CFP Committee for the primary time ever.

“I believe our group will get pleasure from being talked about,” Illinois head coach Bret Bielema mentioned. “It is going to be superior to talk of it. However we’re into Michigan State. We’re into what we will do. We wish to play Michigan State as sturdy as we will play them and let the playing cards fold as they’re.”

The protection has been the massive story for Illinois. The Preventing Illini protection has allowed 8.8 factors per sport this season.

The fashion of play feeds completely with operating again Chase Brown main the nation in speeding with 1,208 yards for Illinois, which is coming off a 26-9 win at Nebraska on Saturday.

Whereas Illinois has been one of many nation’s most nice surprises, Michigan State has been the exact opposite as one of many nation’s greatest disappointments.

Initially of the season, the Spartans (3-5, 1-4) have been the place Illinois is correct now — No. 14 within the nation.

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However struggles alongside the offensive line and secondary has led to Michigan State shedding 5 of its final six video games. The newest defeat was a 29-7 rout at rival Michigan in a sport marred by a postgame battle within the tunnel that led to the suspension of 4 Michigan State gamers.

Whereas apologizing for the incident and speaking in regards to the suspensions on Monday, Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker additionally did his greatest to verify his group switched its focus to enjoying a ranked opponent on the highway.

“We’re selecting to maneuver ahead and work on daily basis to get higher in every part that we’re doing,” Tucker mentioned. “There is no different option to be made in how we proceed. That is how we’re going about our enterprise.”

Michigan State is 0-3 on the highway this season.

This would be the first assembly between the groups since 2019.

Illinois has received the final two conferences towards the Spartans: 31-27 at Champaign in 2016 and 37-34 at East Lansing in 2019.

–Area Degree Media