We can stop pretending now. After the Illini were smoked at No. 1 Oregon 38-9, any thoughts of seeing them in the Big Ten championship game in early December can be put to rest. Not that there’s anything wrong with being 6-2 overall and 3-2 in conference play, but the excitement over it has its limits.

It’s a four-team race for the two spots in Indianapolis, with Oregon and Indiana being the only teams with a 5-0 record in Big Ten play, but Penn State is also undefeated at 4 -0. Ohio State is 3-1 heading into a road game against the Nittany Lions that also has huge College Football Playoff implications, and the Buckeyes still have a home date with the Hoosiers to look forward to .

One could argue whether or not the SEC is better overall, but the Big Ten seems strongest near the top. And with that, let’s take things from the bottom (still Central):

As horrible as things are for the Boilers, they still have Ohio State, Penn State and Indiana on the schedule. How do they get up in the morning?

Surveys: N / A.

Afterwards : Saturday against Northwestern (11 a.m. BTN).

It was a mildly competitive 42-20 loss to USC, but in the end you had to wonder if this team was capable of winning another game.

Surveys: N / A.

Afterwards : November 9 against Minnesota.

The Bruins generate almost no pass rush on defense and cannot protect their quarterback on offense. As far as combos go, this one isn’t great.

Surveys: N / A.

Afterwards : Saturday at Nebraska (2:30 p.m., BTN).

Quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. keeps throwing the ball all over the yard, which is fun. If only the Terps – ranked last in the conference in pass defense – would give him more chances.

Surveys: N / A.

Afterwards : November 9 at Oregon.

When the Wildcats play poorly — and they were horrible in a 40-14 loss to Iowa — it’s hard to believe they’ll ever win a game.

Surveys: N / A.

Afterwards : Saturday at Purdue (11 a.m., BTN).

The game stats indicate that Sparty should have won at Michigan, hands down. We suspect this reassures absolutely no one in East Lansing.

Surveys: N / A.

Afterwards : Saturday at Michigan (6:30 p.m., BTN).

The Huskers played hard at Ohio State, really showing what they are made of. Correction: Really showing what they’re made of on occasion. Consistency, guys.

Surveys: N / A.

Afterwards : Saturday against UCLA (2:30 p.m., BTN).

Turns out, cute little throws behind the line of scrimmage don’t just look sweet. As Indiana demonstrated, they also sometimes get intercepted and returned for touchdowns.

Surveys: N / A.

Afterwards : Saturday against USC (6:30 p.m., BTN).

The season has been far from perfect, but – man – that Woody Marks cat could play for us at any time.

Surveys: N / A.

Afterwards : Saturday in Washington (6:30 p.m., BTN).

A little Davis Warren in the air. A little Alex Orji on the ground. Whatever works.

Surveys: Coaches #38.

Afterwards : Saturday against Oregon (2:30 p.m., CBS).

The lack of mobility at the QB position was a killer against Penn State. So did the Badgers’ sluggishness on the defensive front. Still a long way to go for Luke Fickell.

Surveys: N / A.

Afterwards : Saturday in Iowa (TBD).

Did anyone notice how well the Gophers played in October? And who was it dicing Maryland’s D, Max Brosmer or Sam Darnold?

Surveys: N / A.

Afterwards : Saturday at Illinois (TBD).

Up, down, up, down, up… you get the idea. Struggling quarterback Cade McNamara also gets the idea.

Surveys: N / A.

Afterwards : Saturday against Wisconsin (TBD).

And now ? Well, you go home – still with a chance for 10 wins in the regular season – and you prepare for Minnesota, a tough enough mission that you’d better be locked in until the end.

Surveys: Coaches #24 AP, #4.

Afterwards : Saturday against Minnesota (TBD).

Every team should be lucky to have a No. 2 QB as talented as Tayven Jackson. Along with a tough running game and a big D game, Jackson helped keep all the dreams alive.

Surveys: No. 13 AP, coaches no. 13.

Afterwards : Saturday at Michigan State (TBD).

How well did the Buckeyes hold up against Nebraska? Because if the answer is “nothing,” they’re going to be in trouble on Saturday.

Surveys: No. 4 AP, no. 4 coaches.

Afterwards : Saturday at Penn State (11 a.m., FOX).

After quarterback Drew Allar was injured at Wisconsin, Beau Pribula came in and did everything as perfectly as possible. But the main story remains the defense – god, it’s nasty.

Surveys: No. 3 AP, No. 3 coaches.

Afterwards : Saturday against Ohio State (11 a.m., FOX).

Considering the Ducks entered the game against Illinois ranked first in the nation, it means something to say they played their best game yet. Some teams simply have it all.

Surveys: No. 1 AP, No. 1 coaches.

Afterwards : Saturday at Michigan (2:30 p.m., CBS).

Did a fall from grace keep Illinois football out of the AP Top 25?

Illinois Football Week 9 Notes: How the Illini Fared Against Oregon

Instant Analysis: No. 1 Oregon beats No. 20 Illinois 38-9

Illinois football post-game injury update: Wide receiver Pat Bryant and others