Illinois Football: 4 observations from the Illini loss to Virginia

4. Don’t give up on Bret Bielema

Illinois football made a coaching change last December, and this gave a shot of hope into the arms of many Illini fans.

The Illini were bringing back a team that, for the past two seasons, had a combined record of 8-13. While that isn’t a great record, it is something the new coaching staff could potentially build off of. But that clearly isn’t the case right now.

Bret Bielema is dealing with a patchwork program. It has been patchwork for the last five or six years. What Bielema is realizing is that underneath the band-aid he has pulled off is a team that has zero depth and a massive lack of talent at key positions.

This isn’t a microwave team by any means. In fact, this is the best possible version of the roster right now. Illinois has so many seniors and super seniors. Most of the talent you see on the field is departing the program. When 2022 rolls around, the Illinois football team is going to start taking the shape Bielema wants it to take.

That is why I want you to not give up on Bielema. Let him get his players into the program. Let him develop the running back talent. He has a good start to the 2022 class, and they should continue building on the group that is already committed.

Bielema has done some great things in the past with other programs, but this is by far his biggest challenge. Let’s give him some time, and while we wait, hopefully, we can win a few games.