<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1QOBkD_0vPE0HQ700" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1QOBkD_0vPE0HQ700" width="1200" height="628" ><a href="https://247sports.com/college/illinois/">Illinois</a> made quite an impression nationally on Saturday. Following a 23-17 win over No. 19 <a href="https://247sports.com/college/kansas/">Kansas</a> in front of a sold-out crowd at Memorial Stadium, Illinois finished just one spot outside of the <a href="https://247sports.com/longformarticle/ap-top-25-rankings-texas-leapfrogs-ohio-state-as-michigan-tumbles-tennessee-rises-after-strange-week-2-235918182/">AP Top 25</a> just behind No. 25 <a href="https://247sports.com/college/northern-illinois/">Northern Illinois</a>, which upset <a href="https://247sports.com/college/notre-dame/">Notre Dame</a> in South Bend on Saturday.<ul><li>Illinois received 101 points from AP voters, putting them just behind No. 24 Boston College (116 points) and No. 25 Northern Illinois (114 points).</li></ul>Why it matters: This is the first time Illinois has received votes in the AP Top 25 since the second week of the 2023 season (Sept. 5) when Illinois received just one point after narrowly defeating Toledo 30-28. This is the most points Illinois has received since Nov. 6, 2022, when Illinois was 7-2 and received 262 points and came in ranked No. 21, the last time Illinois was ranked.Illinois head coach <a href="https://247sports.com/Coach/bret-bielema-137/">Bret Bielema</a> said after the win: "I thought this was a great moment, not just for our players but our fans and just really can't say thank you enough for that. ...You just can't replace moments."What it means: Illinois' win over Kansas made some national noise and put the Illini on the verge of getting ranked. The Illini enter Saturday's 11 a.m. homecoming game against <a href="https://247sports.com/college/central-michigan/">Central Michigan</a> as a 19-point favorite, according to Circa Sports, and No. 20 <a href="https://247sports.com/college/arizona/">Arizona</a> is a seven-point underdog at No. 17 <a href="https://247sports.com/college/kansas-state/">Kansas State</a> and No. 24 <a href="https://247sports.com/college/boston-college/">Boston College</a> is a 15-point underdog at No. 6 Missouri. Getting a name in front of a number is temporary, and Illinois has huge tests ahead later this month with road trips to No. 23 <a href="https://247sports.com/college/nebraska/">Nebraska</a> (Sept. 20) and No. 8 <a href="https://247sports.com/college/penn-state/">Penn State</a> (Sept. 28), but it sure is a positive sign of progress and for perception.What's next: Illinois wraps up nonconference play with its homecoming game against Central Michigan with an 11 a.m. kickoff on Saturday (Peacock). This will be the first-ever meeting between these two programs. Illinois is 16-6 all-time against MAC opponents. CMU was projected to finish eighth in the MAC this season and lost at Florida International 52-16 on Saturday. Chippewas head coach <a href="https://247sports.com/Coach/jim-mcelwain-270/">Jim McElwain</a> is 30-29 (21-17 MAC) during his six seasons in Mount Pleasant but has finished under .500 in each of the last two seasons.Big Ten teams in AP Top 25<ul><li>3) Ohio State </li><li>8) Penn State</li><li>9) Oregon</li><li>11) USC</li><li>17) Michigan</li><li>23) Nebraska</li><li>Receiving votes: Illinois (101 points), Washington (27), Iowa (24), Wisconsin (9)</li></ul>Go VIP for 30% OFF your first year!: Join the No. 1 source on Illinois athletics and recruiting with our <a href="https://247sports.com/college/illinois/join/?promo=JOIN">latest great offer</a>! Get market-leading, professional coverage of Illini sports for 30% OFF your first year! That's just $6.27 per month for your first year of VIP membership, more than $40 of savings for the most comprehensive coverage of your favorite teams! There is no promo code required for the offer, just <a href="https://247sports.com/college/illinois/join/?promo=JOIN">HIT THIS LINK</a>, sign up for the annual membership and you're good to go!</div></body>

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Illini finish just outside AP Top 25 following upset win over Kansas

Illinois made quite an impression nationally on Saturday. Following a 23-17 win over No. 19 Kansas in front of a sold-out crowd at Memorial Stadium, Illinois finished just one spot outside of the AP Top 25 just behind No. 25 Northern Illinois, which upset Notre Dame in South Bend on Saturday.

Illini finish just outside AP Top 25 following upset win over Kansas

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