Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Bret Bielema across Football, Basketball.
An Illinois fan examines the controversial 2025 College Football Playoff rankings that elevated Miami over Notre Dame without a game, and explores why the Illini's statistical achievements are consistently overlooked.
The 2025 College Football Playoff sparked controversy when the Miami Hurricanes were placed in the semifinals without playing a game, leading Notre Dame to skip bowl participation. Illinois finished 9‑4 with an 18th‑ranked Strength of Record but was left unranked in the AP Top 25, highlighting a long‑standing perception problem that even Bret Bielema's progress has not yet solved.
With Illinois boasting a strong home record but undergoing major personnel changes, Nebraska sees an opportunity to capitalize on vulnerabilities and secure a pivotal win.
A potential expansion of the College Football Playoff could give the Illini a path to the national stage, bolstered by coach Bret Bielema’s resurgence and the athletic department’s push to leverage football revenue.
Iowa’s 2026 schedule pits the Hawkeyes against Minnesota and Illinois in two pivotal Big Ten matchups that could decide their bowl eligibility and final season standing.
Three Fighting Illini seniors will represent the program at the Big Ten Media Days in Chicago, highlighting a season poised for defensive dominance and a fresh offensive outlook.
The Big Ten Conference has named the 54 student‑athletes who will attend the 2026 Media Days in Chicago, setting the stage for a high‑profile college football season.
The 2026 slate for Penn State sidesteps several recent powerhouses, giving the Nittany Lions a comparatively gentle path through the conference.
Four‑star kicker Ulysses Morales, ranked seventh nationally, pledges to the University of Illinois, setting the stage for a battle for the starting spot after the current starter’s eligibility expires.
Ca'Lil Valentine returns for his senior season, breaking a pattern of leading rushers leaving Illinois and potentially giving the Illini a stable rushing attack.
With 75 days until the season begins, Illinois is set to overhaul its lineup, featuring 55 newcomers, returning stalwarts and a new defensive coordinator.
With 75 days until kickoff, the Illini Inquirer ranks the most pivotal Illini entering training camp, highlighting key returners and new additions.
The Big Ten enters the 2026 season as the nation’s premier college football league, with Indiana, Ohio State and Oregon leading the pack and several mid‑tier programs poised to disrupt the hierarchy.
The Illinois Fighting Illini have added a dynamic running back to their roster, completing a series of recent commitments that include top prospects from across the country.
Analytics guru Bill Connelly’s 2026 Big Ten forecast places Ohio State as the favorite, while Oregon, Indiana and several other programs vie for the next spots in a highly competitive conference.
Anthony James, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound linebacker from La Marque, Texas, pledged to Illinois on Saturday, joining a growing 2027 class that already boasts eight commitments.
Four‑star recruit Bennett Konkey pledged to Illinois over rival programs, underscoring a surge of in‑state talent joining the program.
Texas linebacker Anthony James commits to the University of Illinois, bringing a blend of size, speed and tackling ability to a program that is building a strong 2027 recruiting class.
A recent ranking places Lincoln Riley at No. 15 for the 2026 season, down from No. 12 a year earlier. With USC averaging five losses per season and missing the College Football Playoff, the coach faces a pivotal test in the physically demanding Big Ten, where quarterback development and schedule challenges could define his future.
Three Big Ten programs are quietly assembling the pieces that could translate into surprise success during the 2026 season.
Duke and Illinois will meet in Week 2 of the 2026 season, a rematch that promises high stakes for both programs as they look to build on recent successes.
Ohio State's 2026 schedule blends historic prestige with unprecedented challenges, featuring top‑ranked opponents and a projected win total that hovers near ten.
Illinois coach Bret Bielema has secured a commitment from three-star quarterback Sladen Shack, a Mississippi prospect, for the 2027 class, sparking early optimism for the Fighting Illini.
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema weighs the benefits of name, image and likeness opportunities against the risks of projection‑based payments and calls for clearer governance.