Sturdy's Soliloquy - Football Season Fail

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

November 27, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

The Illini fell to Northwestern on Saturday to finish out what was a truly disappointing 5-7 season for them. Bret Bielema said famously that he didn't come here to go 5-7, and yet two of his 3 seasons have been just that. The season was more disappointing when you look at the teams they faced. The Illini went 0-4 against first year Big Ten coaches and after a 7-1 start a year ago have wins over . . .

 

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

1st Show of 5th Season, Illini FB Ranked #12 - S5Ep1 - 8.15.25

Listen

The Top 5 Illini Basketball Coaches in IlliniGuy Memory - #496

Listen

Greg Glass – NIL Primer & Can Fanstake.com Help Attract & Retain Athletic Talent - #495

Listen

Interviews with Bret Bielema, Cam Crocker & Matt Stevens - S4Ep52 - 8.8.25

Listen

Illini FB Coach Bret Bielema Chats with Mike & Rob Louthain Talks NIL & Illini Media - #494

Listen

IlliniGuys Top 5 Fighting Illini Cs in our Lifetime - #493

Listen

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with Davon Grant

Listen

Illini Football & Basketball, Hogan & Sandberg Pass & Cearah Parchment & Matt Stevens - S4Ep51 - 8.1.25

Listen

Opinions from the Outside Looking In at Illini Football #492

Listen

IlliniGuys Top Fighting Illini PFs in our Lifetime, 4-Star 2027 QB Commit & Fantastic Four: First Steps Movie Review - #491

Listen

B1G Media Days, Illini Hoops & More - S4Ep50 - 7.25.25

Listen

IlliniGuys Top Fighting Illini SFs in our Lifetime - #490

Listen

Heat Checks & Hail Marys – Luke Altmyer Poised to Soar Up All-Time Illini QB Rankings & Kofi Part II

Listen

NBA Summer League, Illini Recruiting Update, SEC Media Days & More - S4Ep49 - 7.18.25

Listen

I on the Illini - Fighting Illini Top 5 SGs & Superman Movie Review #489

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.