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Illinois Football: 5 observations from the Illini win over Nebraska

By Rees Woodcock

LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 29: Quarterback Tommy DeVito #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini passes against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 29: Quarterback Tommy DeVito #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini passes against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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LINCOLN, NE – OCTOBER 29: Head coach Bret Bielema of the Illinois Fighting Illini talks with running back Chase Brown #2 and quarterback Tommy DeVito #3 after a drive against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first half at Memorial Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE – OCTOBER 29: Head coach Bret Bielema of the Illinois Fighting Illini talks with running back Chase Brown #2 and quarterback Tommy DeVito #3 after a drive against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first half at Memorial Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

5. Big Ten Championship game is in sight

I wasn’t sure if I would ever type this slide in my lifetime, but Illinois football has the Big Ten Championship game in sight.

The win over Nebraska on Saturday was huge. If the Illini would have dropped that game, then there would have been a three-way tie for the top of the Big Ten West. Illinois would have been tied with Nebraska and Purdue, and we would have lost the head-to-head against the Cornhuskers.

But the Illini didn’t have a letdown game. We went into Lincoln and came away with a huge victory. Now Illinois just needs to take care of business the rest of the way out.

Winning three out of the final four games of the season would punch our ticket to the Big Ten Championship game. Michigan State and Purdue are the next two games, and both of those contests are at home.

Illinois then finishes the season with No. 4 Michigan and Northwestern on the road. That Michigan game is going to be tough, but it is a good measuring stick to see where the Illini are as a program. The Wildcats game should be a victory.

So, if we can win three out of the next four, Illinois is locked to win the Big Ten West. That is extremely exciting. I can’t believe we are in this position in year two of the Bret Bielema regime. If he can do this type of winning with the previous coaching staff’s players, then just imagine what he can achieve with his own guys. The future is bright.

Next. 5 observations from the Illini win over Quincy. dark

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