The Book of Bielema has been an intriguing mix of the classics in 2022.
The no-nonsense style of play employed by the Illinois defense-first philosophy hits you in the throat like a Beat Generation masterpiece.
The defense itself, led in part by Devon Witherspoon, Quan Martin, Gabe Jacas, Calvin Avery, Taz Nicholson, Johnny Newton, Tarique Barnes, and Seth Coleman…well, they bring the Dixie heat like a Faulkner epic.
Even Coach Bielema himself is in the midst of a grand Dostoevsky-esque redemption arc. After his sudden departure from Madison and his relative failure in the SEC, the Illini head man has re-established his name as a Big Ten winner.