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The Latest Breaking News from Bret Bielema

No laughing: Would Illinois be a contender for an expanded football playoff in 2023?

Illini coach Bret Bielema was at Guaranteed Rate Field for the first time the other day, a perfect opportunity to put the question to him.

Chicago Sun-Times

Analyzing where Mel Tucker, rest of Big Ten land in CBS Sports’ coaches rankings

The annual tradition of ranking college football coaches has arrived

USA Today Sports Media Group

After too many close losses in 2022, Illini have spent the offseason in finishing school

Being better at that — finishing — has been in Illinois coach Bret Bielema’s mind all offseason. If he has had one thing driving himself and one prevailing message to his staff and players, that’s it.

Chicago Sun-Times

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Where the Defensive Coordinator Carousel Leaves College Football’s Top Teams

Alabama, Arkansas and more are hoping to usher in a new era with fresh coaching personnel.

Sports Illustrated

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 58, Illinois DB Jartavius “Quan” Martin

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Illinois DB Jartavius "Quan" Martin.

USA Today Sports Media Group

Paul Sullivan: How a missed call in Illinois’ loss to Michigan may have led to the most lopsided national title game ever

CHICAGO — It’s clear TCU was not remotely in the same area code as Georgia in the Horned Frogs’ 65-7 loss Monday in the College Football Playoff national championship game at SoFi Stadium.

Chicago Tribune

Way-too-early look at next year’s Big Ten football power rankings

Here is our very early look at our Big Ten football power rankings for 2023. Would you take Ohio State or Michigan, or the rest of the field? #B1G

USA Today Sports Media Group

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Simeon’s Malik Elzy commits to Illinois

Elzy, who had offers from nearly 30 FBS colleges, committed to Illinois on Saturday at the All-American Game in San Antonio.

Chicago Sun-Times

ReliaQuest Bowl: Revamped Illinois secondary under the gun vs. Mississippi State ‘Air Raid’

Pass defense has been the Illini’s biggest strength, but that was with Devon Witherspoon and Sydney Brown.

Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois vs Mississippi State ReliaQuest Bowl Prediction Game Preview

Illinois vs Mississippi State game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the ReliaQuest Bowl on Monday, January 2, 2023

USA Today Sports Media Group

For Illinois’ Bret Bielema, a bit of calm amid the chaos is a most welcome Christmas gift

A contract extension, a new recruiting class and some precious time at home are happy, hopeful things the Illini coach can hold on to during a trying holiday season.

Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois coach Bret Bielema’s salary jumps to $6 million under new contract

The Illini (8-4, 5-4 Big Ten) are wrapping up their best season since the 2007 Rose Bowl team won nine games. They were ranked in the AP Top 25 poll for five straight weeks and made the College Football Playoff rankings for the first time.

Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois’ Bret Bielema on old friend Mike Leach — and one last, laugh-filled conversation

They weren’t just colleagues and counterparts, after all. They were pals from the coaching road.

Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois assistant Ryan Walters lands head coaching job at Big Ten rival Purdue

Illini fans lamenting Walters’ departure shouldn’t miss the point. This is what happens when you get good. You can’t have one without the other.

Chicago Sun-Times

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Chicago Sun-Times

Amid a blur of bad news, stress and sadness, Illinois’ Bret Bielema finds a reason to smile

Sometimes life comes at you so hard. “It’s indescribable,” Bielema said after the Illini’s 41-3 win against Northwestern.

Chicago Sun-Times

Teams in the Big Ten West had plenty of missed opportunities

Illinois needs both Iowa and Purdue to lose. If that happens, the Illini can make it to the league championship game by beating Northwestern.

USA Today Sports Media Group

Big Ten football power rankings after Week 12: Ohio State or Michigan? The stage is set.

Our latest look at the Big Ten power rankings one week from the last week of the regular season. Is it Ohio State or Michigan? #B1G

Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois hurting, ‘pissed’ after loss to Michigan? It comes with the territory of being pretty good

Even though the Illini have dropped three in a row, they’ve had as many games worth talking about as any Big Ten team in 2022.

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Sports Illustrated

Illinois’s Bielema Takes Quiet Shot at Officials After Loss to Michigan

The Fighting Illini fell to the undefeated Wolverines in Ann Arbor following a late-game field goal.

Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois can’t hold on, falls to No. 3 Michigan on late field goal

The Wolverines played much of the second half without star running back Blake Corum, who grabbed his left knee after being tackled just before halftime.

Chicago Sun-Times

Big Game Hunting: With a heavy heart, Illinois’ Bielema goes for coaching win No. 2 at Michigan

The death of Bret Bielema’s mother, Marilyn, hangs a cloud over the Illini’s attempt to score an upset that would greatly aid their cause in the Big Ten West.

Chicago Tribune

Paul Sullivan: Once in the driver’s seat, Illinois needs an unlikely win at the Big House to stay alive in the muddled Big Ten West

CHICAGO — The Big Ten season once again should come down to The Game, a sure sign normalcy has been restored in Middle America.

Chicago Sun-Times

Illini lose again as home favorite, can almost kiss West title goodbye

There’s a lot that could still happen, but the Illini aren’t likely to be the last ones standing. And they will rue Saturday’s defeat as surely as they will the 23-15 letdown against Michigan State that preceded it.

Chicago Sun-Times

Big Game Hunting: Illinois takes on Purdue in the game of the year in the Big Ten West

Broader implications aside, simply getting the better of the Boilermakers for a change would hit the spot. They’ve taken home the Cannon in five of the last six renditions of this rivalry series and have a five-game winning streak at Memorial Stadium, where they haven’t lost since 2010.

Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois agrees to contract extension for offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr.

Lunney, who is earning $675,000 this year, will be paid $800,000 in 2023 and $825,000 each of the following two years.

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