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Big Ten West Power Ranking: Did Iowa Fall, Again?

By Jeremy Karll

Sep 24, 2016; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback C.J. Beathard (16) drops back to pass during the first half of their game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback C.J. Beathard (16) drops back to pass during the first half of their game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 7 – Illinois Fighting Illini 1-2 (0-0)

Last Week: 6

Maybe a week off will help Illinois get their season back on track. After a demolishing win over Murray State in week one, Illinois played North Carolina tough for a half and then got blown out by Western Michigan 34-10 in week three. They now take on #15 Nebraska this week in a big game for Lovie Smith and the Fighting Illini.

It’s the first Big Ten game for Illinois in the Lovie Smith era. Even though Nebraska is playing as well as any team in the Big Ten this year, this will be a great measuring stick game for Illinois. So far against solid competition, Illinois has looked decent against North Carolina and really bad against Western Michigan. Now is the time for them to show the nation what team they are this year.

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Wes Lunt is completing 62.2 percent of his passes and has thrown six touchdowns to one interception. The offense has also averaged 5.2 yards per carry, however that has not translated to points and their defense has been unable to keep the opposing team off the board.

In their last game, Western Michigan’s running back Jamauri Bogan ran for 189 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries, averaging 7.9 yards per carry against the Illini. As a team, Western Michigan scored four rushing touchdowns. It’s easy to see why the Illini went down early and were never able to make any sort of comeback.

When it comes down to it, they’re one of just two teams with one win in the Big Ten West this year. Even though they had a sizable challenge in non-conference play, they didn’t show enough to warrant people whole-heartedly believing that they’re better than the 5-7 team they were in 2015.

They have potential, and meetings with Purdue and Rutgers in a couple of weeks could give them much-needed confidence. Although, they’re coming off an embarrassing loss to Western Michigan and Nebraska has a good shot of doing the same this week. They might not be the worst team in the Big Ten, but nothing this season has proven that they’re anything more than mediocre at best.

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