8/16-Illini FB ranked No. 20

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - After a No. 19 ranking in the coaches poll earlier this month, the University of Illinois football team solidifies its place in the preseason ratings with a No. 20 pick in the Associated Press poll. Four of Illinois 2008 opponents are also found in the top 25. It is the first time the Illini began a season in the top 25 since 2002. The Illini ended the 2007 season with a ranking of No. 18 by the coaches and No. 20 by the Associated Press. The teams highest rating of 2007 was 13th heading into its Rose Bowl game against USC. Illinois faced five ranked teams last season, posting a 3-2 record vs. the top-25. Head coach Ron Zooks squad was the only in the country to defeat two top-5 opponents with upsets of No. 5 Wisconsin and No. 1 Ohio State. This years schedule features some of the best competition in college football as the Illini start off the season with No. 6 Missouri in St. Louis, Mo., in the State Farm Arch Rivalry on Aug. 30. They also face a ranked opponent in No. 22 Penn State on Sept. 27. On Oct. 25, Illinois travels to No. 13 Wisconsin and then hosts No. 2 Ohio State on No. 15. USA Today/Coaches Preseason Poll 1. Georgia (22) 1,528 2. Ohio State (21) 1,506 3. USC (12) 1,490 4. Oklahoma (4) 1,444 5. Florida (6) 1,415 6. Missouri 1,266 7. LSU 1,135 8. West Virginia 1,116 9. Clemson 1,105 10. Auburn 968 11. Texas 966 12. Texas Tech 786 13. Wisconsin 771 14. Kansas 707 15. Arizona State 631 16. Brigham Young 590 17. Virginia Tech 578 18. Tennessee 509 19. South Florida 496 20. Illinois 483 21. Oregon 366 22. Penn State 293 23. Wake Forest 227 24. Alabama 89 25. Pittsburgh 85 Others Receiving Votes: South Carolina 84, Fresno State 83, California 59, Utah 53, Cincinnati 44, Florida State 41, Michigan 36, Boston College 32, Rutgers 32, Michigan State 21, Boise State 17, Arkansas 14, North Carolina 14, Connecticut 10, Tulsa 7, UCLA 6, Oregon State 5, Mississippi State 4, Virginia 4, Arizona 3, Nebraska 2, Notre Dame 2, Hawaii 1, Washington 1.