Illini Football 2026

#76      
RabidDawgClassic
SummerofGeorge said:
There is truth to this, however, 2 of the 3 factors you list are the same circumstances every school encountered. One is unique to IL
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True… but 2 and 3 have allowed a never-ran like Illinois to move up in the pack while the traditional powers are drifting back toward the middle. The playing field isn’t quite level yet, but it’s more level than it ever has been.
 
#77      
ChiefGritty
RabidDawgClassic said:
True… but 2 and 3 have allowed a never-ran like Illinois to move up in the pack while the traditional powers are drifting back toward the middle. The playing field isn’t quite level yet, but it’s more level than it ever has been.
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There are a lot of programs getting drowned beneath the waves of NIL wealth (Purdue, Mississippi State, Boston College, K-State) that would very strongly disagree with this.

And knowing Bielema's strengths as a long term player and culture developer, it's not that difficult to imagine him being just as successful here or maybe even more so under the old system.

The rules aren't really what drove the change. Above all else Bret Bielema has gotten Illinois Football out of its own way, which we fans know was always THE problem. Our only real enemy was ourselves.
 
#88      
Altgeld's Bells
So I noticed in the latest injury reports that Eberhart has been out. He was not out for Neb. Any insight on his injury and if he is out for the season would be appreciated!! And is Clayton done for the year?
 
#89      
lstewart53x3
I know seasons like this aren’t necessarily our favorite. We’re likely looking at 6-7 pre-bowl wins, which is a small step below the type of season we really, really want.

But here’s why seasons like this are so important. I made this little graph:

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Every season causes the program to either gain, lose, or maintain support/momentum. With a 12-0 season obviously gaining the most and an 0-12 losing the most and a 6-6 bowl season keeping you about right where you started.

Over the years, we’ve had great seasons (2001, 2007) that gained program support/momentum, but then they were followed by such bad seasons that all of the momentum was immediately lost. It was as if those couple of good seasons never even happened.

So just having a solid season that at least doesn’t lose support/momentum is huge for this program.
 
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