Last game: 24-16 win vs. Minnesota
Next game: Oct. 29 vs. Nebraska
Look what we have here! A new team has stepped into the top three of the Big Ten Power Rankings after the Illini took down Minnesota at home and Penn State got rocked against Michigan. Chase Brown is a workhorse, finishing the game with 41 (!) carries and 180 yards, along with three catches for 53 yards and a touchdown catch. After Week 7, Brown still leads the country in rush attempts (192) and rushing yards (1,059).
The lone loss of the season for Illinois came against one of the worst teams in the conference (Indiana… sad) and have won five straight games for the first time since 2011. Illinois goes into their bye week ranked as the 18th best team in the country and the clear contenders for the Big Ten West title. The Fighting Illini may not be challenged by a team until they travel to Ann Arbor on November 19th.