CHAMPAIGN — So much for Illinois’ slick little first-ever College Football Playoff ranking. All the talk about the Illini living large in the AP Top 25 suddenly rings hollow, too.
While we’re at it, we can quit with the oohing and aahing at the Illini defense’s flashy statistics. Yes, the unit came into Saturday’s supposed-to-be-easy game against Michigan State ranked No. 1 in the country in so many categories — points allowed, yardage allowed, touchdowns allowed, interceptions and more — it was wild. But statistics don’t mean squat when the pressure is mounting, a play needs to be made and no one seems to be raising his hand.
