After a slow holiday period, the top 10 remains unchanged -- but this is the week the matchups really get good.

But even as Illinois (10-3, 2-1 Big Ten) was learning more about itself and pollsters were cool toward the Illini during their hit-or-miss run in proving-ground games, the data-based NCAA NET rankings were comparatively higher.

After avoiding disaster with a last-second victory over Eastern Kentucky, the Cardinals knocked off North Carolina by 13. Pat Kelsey has things heading in the right direction. The Tar Heels were without Seth Trimble, but their loss at Louisville dropped them to 8-6: their worst 14-game start in five years.