COLUMN - The 2023 Illini Football Season Was A Failure

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema just produced by his own previous assessment an unacceptable result in a year where upward progress was needed and required. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

November 25, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN — Bret Bielema famously has repeated that he didn’t come to Champaign to go 5-7. Well, congratulations to everybody involved because we’ve all officially reached the rubicon here on the corner of 1st Street and Kirby Avenue. 

Year Three of the Bielema Era will always be recognized as the season that ended with five wins and seven . . .

 

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

April 26 Weekend (S3,37)

Listen

Orlando is Back! #355

Listen

Illini Football Spring Game #354

Listen

April 19 Weekend (S3,36)

Listen

Portal Kombat - Rough Day for the Illini #353

Listen

Portal Kombat - Booth Commit #352

Listen

Portal Kombat - April 14 Update #351

Listen

April 12 Weekend (S3,35)

Listen

Portal Kombat - Tre White Commits to Illini #350

Listen

WrestleMania 40 Preview #349

Listen

April 5 Weekend (S3,34)

Listen

Illini Grounded by UConn 77-52 #348

Listen

Mar 29 Weekend (S3,Ep33)

Listen

Illini Earn Elite 8, Defeat Iowa State 72-69 #347

Listen

Meyers Leonard - IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular Sneak Peek #346

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:

© 2021 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.