No doubt about who was going to be #1 in the latest NCSA DI Top 20 rankings.  The Fighting Illini who sport an unblemished 9-0 conference record (15-0 overall) take hold of the top spot as the unanimous #1 Team by the voters.

Illinois looks like a well-oiled machine that can’t be stopped.  They went undefeated at the Indy Invitational, an event that featured the defending National Champions, the University of Michigan, and 3 other Top 20 Teams at the time.  They won that tournament, defeating their conference rival Purdue in the Championship Game.  Most recently, they faced off with the very talented Boilermakers in conference play, and ended up sweeping to keep their undefeated record in tact.

Will Illinois relinquish the top spot any time soon?  Doesn’t seem likely this fall, but as we always say, it’s not where you start, but where you finish.  Will the Fighting Illini be able to capture their first national championship since 2008?  Or will it be someone else?

Check out the Rawlings Week 7 NCSA DI Top 20 to see where your team ranks.

Next Poll Released: 11/6/25