Indiana capped the 2025 college football season with an unbeaten national championship on Monday night, the third consecutive Big Ten Conference team to win the title.
But it’s never too early to look to 2026. Multiple media outlets across the nation, including the USA Today Network, have released early 2026 rankings, and the Big Ten is well-respected.
But what about the Illinois Fighting Illini, who finished first among teams receiving votes in the final poll from The Associated Press? Here is a look at a dozen top 25 rankings from national outlets, including a couple that have the Illini in the mix:
The Sporting News
Yahoo!
The Athletic
On3.com
Athlon Sports
USA Today Network
ESPN
CBS Sports
Fox Sports
Sports Illustrated
Bleacher Report
Pro Football Focus
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Where Illinois football is projected in too-early 2026 top 25 rankings
Reporting by Wes Huett, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
