Illinois football achieved its first 10-win season and bowl victory since 2001, marking one of college football’s significant turnarounds in 2023.
Coach Bret Bielema and the Fighting Illini continue facing national media skepticism despite their success. The program’s achievements include defeating Kansas, competing with top-tier opponents, and strengthening their recruiting presence.
On3’s latest rankings placed Bielema at No. 18 among college football coaches for next season, behind Kansas coach Lance Leipold, whose team lost to Illinois in September 2023.
The publication misspelled Bielema’s name as “Beilema” in their social media post, which remained uncorrected for several days.
Illinois finished 2023 with a 21-17 victory over South Carolina in their bowl game.
The Fighting Illini earned a spot in On3’s way-too-early College Football Playoff projections alongside Big Ten counterparts Oregon, Penn State, and Ohio State.
Under Bielema’s leadership, Illinois has established itself in national recruiting conversations, securing commitments from previously challenging territories.
“Illinois football right now is hopefully on the verge of doing something really special,” Bielema told KSDK on January 28.
The program’s recent success includes:
- Five-win improvement from previous season
- First bowl victory in 22 years
- Increased presence in national rankings
- Enhanced recruiting success
Illinois enters 2024 positioned to build on their recent success in an expanded Big Ten conference.
https://x.com/On3sports/status/1886799707558891915
https://x.com/corey_miller5/status/1884394045184577834
