In case you need a reminder, last year’s trip to Virginia didn’t go so well.
The dismal performance of the Illini in Charlottesville was likely due to a perfect storm of factors: it was Illinois’ third game under Bret Bielema, and also the first road game of the season, while Virginia was a well-oiled machine under sixth-year head coach Bronco Mendenhall.
Now the script is flipped somewhat in 2022. Illinois has settled into Bret Bielema’s style in his second year, and the Cavaliers now need to travel to Champaign in their second game under new head coach Tony Elliott.