For the second straight week, Kansas is playing a Friday primetime game. Unlike last week, this one may act as a barometer for what this year’s Jayhawks have in store. Illinois may not be a name brand football program, but it does appear to be one on the rise. Bret Bielema took over in 2021 after years of Illini football landing somewhere between bad and mediocre. Bielema has a strong track record of past success, and after a 5-7 first year, he led Illinois to an 8-5 record including a Reliaquest Bowl appearance last year.
This season got off to a tense start last week for Bielema and Illinois.