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

B1G Football Media Days Takeaways, B1G Athletes in the 2024 Olympics & Deadpool & Wolverine Opens - Heat Checks & Hail Marys July 25

Listen

Brad Sturdy & Kedric Prince Talk Illini Basketball Roster, Recruiting & Expectations #381

Listen

Kevin Mitchell Rose Bowl Co-Captain and Busey Bank Illini Radio Network Broadcaster #380

Listen

Derek Harper Illini Legend & NBA Broadcaster #379

Listen

July 19 Weekend - Hour 2 - S3 Ep 49

Listen

July 19 Weekend - Hour 1 - S3 Ep 49

Listen

Marcus Griffin Illini Legend #378

Listen

Illini Roster NBA Potential, Positional Size & Boxing's Love of Undefeated

Listen

B1G Football, Illini Basketball Recruiting & John Cena Retires & Make-A-Wish Record

Listen

July 12 Weekend - Hour 1 - S3 Ep48

Listen

July 12 Weekend - Hour 2 - S3 Ep48

Listen

CJ Moore & Mike Farrell - National Eyes on Illini Basketball & Football #377

Listen

Eddie Johnson Illini Legend & NBA Broadcaster #376

Listen

Fears Decommits, Shauna Green Extension & Binge-Watching with Sturdy

Listen

July 5 Weekend (S3,Ep47) Hour 1

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.