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Bret Bielema Points To 'West Coast Flavor' As Positive For Illinois, Big Ten

Bret Bielema joined "Football Night in Chicago" to discuss the current landscape in the Big Ten, along with what to expect this season for his Illinois program.
Zain Bando|
Nov 4, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema looks on during the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema looks on during the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports | Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

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Illinois Fighting Illini

Coach Bret Bielema recognizes his Illinois football program faces uphill challenges this season because of the new teams.

USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington joined the conference after long stints in the Pac-12.

Speaking on "Football Night in Chicago" with NBC Sports Chicago's Laurence Holmes, Bielema said the four new schools are good for the league, giving Illinois stiffer competition. The Illini play several AP Top 25 opponents, including No. 3 Oregon Oct. 26 in Eugene.

"This conference, because of what's being transcended right now in front of us, it's a pretty awesome time, to be here" Bielema said. "I think the four West Coast teams just bring us a coast-to-coast flavor that is unprecedented in college football. I know there has been some expansion some people are going a little bit bigger and a little bit further than they've ever done, but to have a schedule that lets us [Illinois] play at Penn State and also play at Oregon and Michigan here at home – those three premier games. I think it's a pretty exciting time in our conference."

Before the heart of Illinois' schedule gets underway, it plays host to the first three games of the season. The Illini open a week from Thursday against Eastern Illinois before welcoming Kansas in for a nightcap rematch game to begin September. This is followed by a Homecoming date with Central Michigan out of the MAC Sept. 14.

The Illini are seeking a bowl berth for the second time under Bielema, as they finished just shy of postseason play at 5-7 last season.

Zain Bando is a contributor to Illinois Fighting Illini On SI. He can be reached at zainbando99@gmail.com or follow him on X @zainbando99

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Zain Brando
ZAIN BANDO

Bando is a sports journalist based in the Chicago suburbs. He is a proud Fighting Illini (undergrad alumnus) and completed his Master of Science in Journalism at Northwestern's Medill School, focusing on Sports Media. He’s been covering combat sports since June 2019 and collegiate sports since May 2020, featured in The Sporting News, MMA Knockout On SI, Kansas State On SI, BJPenn.com, Field Level Media, SB Nation's Inside NU, MSN, Yardbarker, Deadspin, Reuters, Mike Farrell Sports, NewsNet Media, FanSided, Men's Journal. Hosts a podcast called Bando’s Breakdowns, which premieres weekly at 3 p.m. ET/noon PT Wednesdays on the Empty The Bench Podcast Network