Year four of Bret Bielema’s tenure at the University of Illinois has enormous implications on his tenure. If he’s able to succeed in this first year of the expanded Big Ten, it proves that he is capable of restoring the Illinois football program. However, if he falls short on expectations, his seat will only get hotter.
Here’s Why Bret Bielema and Illinois Will Succeed in 2024
When Bielema was hired in December of 2020, there were mixed reviews from not only the Illinois fanbase but from the national media as well. He was always seen as a successful college coach, but critics still had their doubts about him and his ability to build a college football program. He had tremendous success as the head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers from 2006 – 2012 amassing a 68-24 record, including back-to-back trips to the Rose Bowl. However, people still attributed his success to piggybacking off the work that the previous coach, Barry Alvarez did. Wanting to prove he can build and sustain a successful program, he moved on to Arkansas to lead their football program from 2013- 2017.
Bret Bielema’s tenure at Arkansas was not as successful as his Wisconsin tenure as he went an overall 29-34 in Fayetteville before being relieved of his duties. He then moved on to the NFL where he spent two seasons with the New England Patriots and one season with the New York Giants. His last season with the Giants is when the Illinois head coaching position opened up. Bielema was familiar with Illinois as he was a player with fellow Big Ten foe Iowa Hawkeyes, and of course he faced Illinois multiple times as head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers. When Illinois Athletic Director Josh Whitman made the decision to hire Bielema, he knew he had to resurrect a struggling program.
As Bielema got accustomed to his new role as Head Coach of the Fighting Illini, he vowed that he would recruit the whole state of Illinois. It did not matter what area of the state you were in, if you could ball, coach Bielema and his staff will find you.
In Bret Bielema’s first year, the Illini started out slow, but won four out of their last seven to end the 2021 season; including a nine-overtime classic against a top-10 Penn State team. The 2022 Illini led by Tommy Devito, Chase Brown, and Devon Witherspoon, started the season 7-1 and were ranked as high as 16th in the College Football Playoff (CFP) Ranking. Unfortunately in 2023, they were not able to capitalize on the momentum they had built up, and they missed a bowl game by finishing the season 5-7. Year four for Bret Bielema is a pivotal year, but here are three reasons why you should buy what the Illini are selling.
The Offensive Firepower
One of the most encouraging signs from last year’s Illini squad is the offense’s production. Last year, the Illini offense averaged 24.5 points per game, which ranked fifth in the Big Ten Conference and was the best offense in the Big Ten West division. Offense Coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. is ready to unlock more weapons to make his offense more dangerous. However, gone are do-it-all receiver Isaiah Williams, day-one starting running back Reggie Love, and two staples of the offensive line; Julian Pearl and Isiah Adams.
Even with that production out the door, the offense retained a lot of key playmakers who are primed to take another step forward this upcoming season. Returning to the Illini offense are dual-threat junior quarterback Luke Altmeyer, bruising sophomore running back Kaden Faegan, and senior wide receiver Pat Bryant, who led the team with seven touchdown receptions. The Illini have young options on the offensive side of the ball who have the opportunity to step into a larger role and produce for their team.
Former four-star recruit, Malik Elzy showed flashes of potential last season, but must improve his consistency in order to become an every-down wide receiver. Speedy running back Aidan Laughery and wide receiver Kenari Wilcher look to utilize their speed in the offense and be more consistent contributors throughout the season. Finally, running back Josh McCray had a very productive freshman season, but has struggled to stay healthy ever since. If he could play at least 75% of their games this season, that would be a big boost to their offense.
To supplement the offense even more, Bret Bielema and the offensive staff dipped into the ever-changing transfer portal and snagged FCS All-American Tight End Cole Rusk from Murray State, All Mountain West Conference First Team Left Tackle in J.C. Davis from New Mexico, and proven Big Ten starting Offensive Lineman in Kevin Wigenton from Michigan State. Bret Bielema and the offensive staff are relying heavily on their returners at the skill positions and banking on production from the three transfers they added.
The Schedule Provides Opportunities
When looking at the Illini schedule and seeing the likes of Michigan, Penn State, Oregon, and even Kansas you might think there’s no hope for having a successful season. However, when you look at the rest of the schedule, the remaining eight games are games the Illini can compete in. Let’s dive deeper and break it into four quarters.
Vs. Eastern Illinois, vs. Kansas, vs. Central Michigan
Illinois should handle Eastern Illinois and Central Michigan. While Eastern Illinois went 8-3 last year, they are FCS team and Illinois should be able handle business in that game. The Illini then face Kansas in a rematch from last year which Kansas dominated the Illini in Lawrence en route to a 33-24 victory where the game was never really in doubt. Central Michigan finished 5-7 and placed fourth in the MAC West Division. Illinois should overwhelm the Chippewas physically and athletically in that game and come away with a victory. Anything less than going 2-1 in these games will be a disappointment for Coach Bielema and his program.
Vs. Purdue, at Nebraska, at Penn State
Illinois plays familiar former Big Ten West foes in Purdue and Nebraska during this three-game stretch. In the Bret Bielema era, the Illini are 2-1 against Nebraska, 1-1 against Penn State, and 0-3 against Purdue. Purdue and Nebraska are still in rebuilding mode under second-year coaches Ryan Walters and Matt Rhule. There is always an extra edge when the Illini play Purdue as Purdue coach Ryan Walters was the former Illinois defensive coordinator. The Illini lost to both programs last year, and Bret Bielema’s squad is looking to get revenge for those losses. Penn State is a perennial CFP Participant and State College is always a tough place to play. On the bright side, the last time the Illini played in state college, they walked out of the stadium with a victory in a historic game.
Vs. Michigan, vs. Minnesota, at Oregon
This is by far the Illini’s toughest three-game stretch as they face the defending National Champion, another CFP contender on the road, and a Minnesota program that has been to a bowl game every year since 2018 (minus the COVID year). Michigan lost its head coach and multiple talented pieces, but they are still a top program loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. It will take a perfect game and a few lucky bounces for Illinois to come out of the game victorious. Dating back to his Wisconsin tenure, Bret Bielema has never lost to Minnesota and he looks to continue that streak this year.
Vs. Michigan State, at Rutgers, at Northwestern
The final quarter of the schedule is where the Illini can take advantage of the matchups and surge their way into a bowl game. Michigan State is now under the leadership of former Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith who is looking to improve that program. Rutgers and Northwestern both took steps forward last year, but those games should be very competitive. Bottom line, if Bret Bielema’s program wants to make a bowl, they must do some damage during this final portion of their schedule.
The Coaching Staff Has Raised the Floor For This Program
There is no debate that the coaching staff that Bret Bielema has elevated the floor of the program. Under previous coach Lovie Smith, the Illini were 17-39 including a 10-33 Big Ten record. They were consistently at the bottom of the conference under Coach Smith. However, during Bret Bielema’s tenure, the Illini are 18 – 19 overall with a 12 -15 Big Ten Record.
In three years, Bret Bielema has already surpassed Lovie Smith’s overall and Big Ten conference win totals. The Illini have been competitive throughout Bret Bielema’s tenure and have given themselves a chance to win a lot of the ball games they’ve played. They do need to continue improving in closing out games, but it is encouraging that they have been able to be consistently competitive over the past three years.
Read More:
The Big Ten Added New Teams to the Conference for the 2024 season
Full 2024 Illinois Football Schedule
For more articles and information about all things football check out Gridiron Heroics
1 Comment
Excited for the boys to take the field