COLUMN: Illini Needed To See What Is Needed To Take Down No. 1

The first lesson Illinois head coach Bret Bielema imparted on this football program is in order to win games, you have to stop yourself from losing games on your own. Illinois is not ready to stop losing games against elite teams.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

October 11, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — That very much needed to be seen. That very much needed to be felt. That very much needs to be remembered.

The first lesson that Illinois head coach Bret Bielema attempted to impart when he flew in on Dec. 2020 to take . . .

 

Premium Members Only. Please Subscribe To View The Full Article

  • One-stop destination for Illini sports news, analysis and interactive contents.
  • Weekly podcasts including "Sturdy for 30" and "I on the Illini"
  • Illini Guys Zoom Calls" during games and special events
  • Special appearances by "Illini Legends" and other national sports personalities
  • Video breakdowns and game analysis
  • Owned, managed and run by diehard Illini fans for Illini fans everywhere

Podcasts

Fighting Illini Crush Long Island 98-58 - #527

Listen

Illini BB Loss to Bama, FB on to Wisconsin & Illini Legend Deon Thomas S5Ep15

Listen

#8 Illini Fall to #11 Alabama - #526

Listen

Illini Football Preview - Wisconsin #525

Listen

Fighting Illini Smother Maryland 24-6 #524

Listen

Fighting Illini Paste Colgate 84-65 #523

Listen

IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular - Illini BB Defeat Texas Tech, FB Over Rutgers & Illini Legend Craig Swoope's Battle - S5Ep14 - 11.14.25

Listen

I on the Illini LIVE - Illini Defeat Texas Tech 81-77 Thriller #522

Listen

Illini Football Preview - Maryland #521

Listen

IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular – Illini FB, BB, Ked Prince & Illini Women's BB's CeCe Parchment – S5Ep13 – 11.7.25

Listen

Illini Crush Jackson State 113-55 #520

Listen

Illini Pound Rutgers for 35-13 Victory - #519

Listen

IlliniGuys Pregame LIVE & Halftime LIVE Sampler - Rutgers at Illini #518

Listen

IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular – FB vs Rutgers, BB Opener Coming, Women's BB Exhibition & Soccer Wins in B1G – S5Ep12 – 10.31.25

Listen

Illini Football Preview - Rutgers #517

Listen

Subscriber Testimonials:

"I am a member of three different paid sites, [but] I wanted to tell you that the collective insight from the leadership of this place is second to none.  
 
It is remarkable how often I feel like I know what is going to happen before it happens. I am so appreciative of the obvious hard work that you guys are giving ....
 
You guys, in a short time, have shown me that you are the best at what you do."
Join the conversation here!

Not a member? Join our mailing list:

© 2025 LMBC Sports, LLC. All rights reserved. 

Use of any part of this site constitutes express acceptance of the Site Terms. LMBC Sports, LLC, including its Illini Guys website, is an independent media organization, and is not affiliated with the University of Illinois.