Illinois Football climbs to No. 9 in AP Poll after dominant win at Duke

The Illini jumped two spots in the AP poll and three in the Coaches Poll following a commanding 45-19 road victory over Duke.

By Elizabeth Hess September 8, 2025 12:08 pm

ContributedSince taking over in 2021, Bielema has guided the Illini to 20 AP poll appearances, the most for the program in any five-year span in 35 years.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — The Illinois football team continues its impressive rise in the national rankings, moving up to No. 9 in both the AP Top 25 and the US LBM Coaches Poll, the Associated Press announced Sunday. The Illini jumped two spots in the AP poll and three in the Coaches Poll following a commanding 45-19 road victory over Duke.

This marks Illinois’ highest AP ranking since December 2001, and is the latest milestone in head coach Bret Bielema’s resurgence of the program. Since taking over in 2021, Bielema has guided the Illini to 20 AP poll appearances, the most for the program in any five-year span in 35 years.

Next up, the Illini will look to continue their unbeaten run as they host Western Michigan on Saturday in a primetime matchup at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CT and will air live on FS1. The game is expected to be played in front of a sold-out crowd.