Illinois, Bret Bielema need an upset win — and they're not in Kansas anymore
Kansas will dress only 50 players for Saturday’s game at Illinois. The rest will attempt to dress themselves.
Many of them will have “TGIF” written on their shoes. Why? To remind them toes go in first.
Look, I only kid about KU. But the truth about No. 19 Kansas (5½) at Illinois (6 p.m., FS1, 890-AM) is that — for the Illini to pull off a much-needed upset — fans will have to pull their weight in the first sellout at 60,000-plus-seat Memorial Stadium since 2016. Standing, stomping, chanting and heaving ridiculous, unfounded insults into the fray are the orders of the evening.
For this Illini team, it means atoning for last year’s 34-23 loss at Kansas that was one of the lowest points of the Bret Bielema era. The score was 34-7 before the Illini rallied meaninglessly. The Jayhawks ran the ball at will, possessed it for almost 37 minutes and piled up 539 yards in all. It was a long, unmistakable step backward for Bielema and his program and a sign of things to come; the Illini dropped from third nationally in total defense in 2022 to 63rd in 2023, and from 14th to 109th in time of possession. They ended up 5-7 — a total bummer after eight wins and what seemed like major progress the year before.
To beat a ranked non-conference opponent for the first time since 2011, the Illini (1-0) have to bare their teeth, bloody their knuckles and demonstrate how much protecting their home turf matters to them.
“Are we just saying those things or are we being those things?” Bielema said. “Your DNA has to match who you are.”
The Jayhawks (1-0) have gone from two wins to six to nine under coach Lance Leipold, who was a candidate at Illinois before Bielema was hired. They have potent offensive weapons in quarterback Jalon Daniels, running back Devin Neal and receivers Lawrence Arnold and Luke Grimm who’ve already rag-dolled the Illini once. But their defense ranked below Illinois’ last season, was 90th against the run and no longer has pass rusher Austin Booker, a name Bears fans know well. The Illini don’t need to stop ’em; they need to outscore ’em.
At the height of Bielema’s reputation, his Wisconsin teams ran the ball relentlessly. Illinois doesn’t play that way, but it has big, powerful backs — Kaden Feagin most of all — and a QB in Luke Altmyer who could have a big night slinging it while sprinkling in some important runs. This is a prove-it game for Altmyer, too, no doubt.
Hey, it’s just KU, right? And the Illini aren’t in Kansas anymore. Upset, 31-30.
OTHER WEEK 2 PICKS
No. 3 Texas (-7½) at No. 10 Michigan (11 a.m., Fox 32): We almost got this as a playoff matchup last season, and the Wolverines (1-0) would’ve been better off tangling with the Longhorns (1-0) back in January. Texas has a huge edge at QB with Quinn Ewers and the experience of having gone into the lion’s den in Week 2 last year and, led by Ewers’ brilliant passing, ended Alabama’s 21-game home winning streak. The 23-game home streak in Ann Arbor — the longest in half a century — is ending, too. Hook ’Em, 27-20.
Northern Illinois (+28½) at No. 5 Notre Dame (2:30 p.m., NBC 5, 780-AM): We already know the Irish (1-0) have a defense that’s going to be one of the best out there all season. The offense will be more hit-and-miss. There’s no real shot of NIU (1-0) adding to its collection of upsets against power-conference schools with a 19th “Boneyard” win, but count on the experienced Huskies to play their tails off in their first-ever nationally broadcast game on network TV. Irish, 31-10.
Colorado (+7) at Nebraska (6:30 p.m., NBC 5, Peacock): It was a rout last year in Boulder, with Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter showing out like superstars and coach Deion Sanders assuring everybody the Buffs had arrived. It’s payback time for the Huskers, for whom there is so much to be gained. The QB duel between Sanders — a potential top pick in the 2025 NFL draft — and Huskers true freshman Dylan Raiola will be fascinating. Big Red, 38-28.
My favorite favorite: No. 21 Iowa (-3) vs. Iowa State (2:30 p.m., CBS 2): Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is back from a one-game suspension for thinking impure thoughts about not punting on fourth-and-1. Check that, it was for a minor recruiting violation. The Hawkeyes’ “D” at home? F-I-R-E.
My favorite underdog: Michigan State (+10) at Maryland (2:30 p.m., BTN): Both teams won openers against heavy underdogs, though Maryland played far better than MSU. But this is the first Big Ten clash of the season — the only one this week — and I have these teams finishing 13th (Terrapins) and 14th (Spartans) in the conference. Terps in a tight one.
Last week: 3-4 straight-up, 2-5 against the spread.