[Tuck4Bama]

CHAMPAIGN - No more sneaking under the radar, no more lurking in the shadows.

The University of Illinois officially marched into the spotlight of college football's elite Sunday, rising to No. 18 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.

Illinois checked in at No. 19 in the USA Today coaches' poll, bringing consensus to the belief that in the third year of a rebuilding project being shaped by head coach Ron Zook, Illinois is now among the 20 best teams in America.

Even Zook, who votes in the coaches' poll, reluctantly admitted he included his team on this week's ballot after Illinois defeated fifth-ranked Wisconsin 31-26 on Saturday.

"I did vote us in," Zook said Sunday during his weekly "day-after" teleconference. "I don't think it matters where. Really, any time you are ranked, it's an honor, a privilege. But it doesn't really mean anything until it's over.

Sports: This triumph ranks up there