Lovie Smith and the Fighting Illini didn’t play a game on Saturday, but that didn’t prevent the program from falling in Football Outsiders’ latest S&P+ rankings. The Orange and Blue fell 10 spots to No. 71 overall, placing them behind Syracuse and ahead of Cincinnati.
While Illinois’ offense experienced a very minor improvement to No. 81 overall (+1), the defense decreased to No. 60 (-13). Special teams checked in at No. 31 (+6).
It could be worse, all things considered. At least Illinois isn’t Georgia, who plummeted 34 spots to No. 61 following a blowout loss to Ole Miss.