The college football world readily acknowledges how the Illinois Fighting Illini surprised the nation. Now, can Bret Bielema live up to the hype in 2025? Or will they fade away into Big Ten obscurity?

Coach Bret Bielema's Illinois Fighting Illini finished fifth in the Big Ten last season with a 6-3 conference record, ...

Illinois football continues its productive recruiting offseason. The Illini landed the highest-ranked prep recruit of the ...

When Bielema took over at Arkansas, he accepted the job knowing there was a mess to clean up in the wake of Bobby Petrino’s ...

It's early, but Illinois' class ranks No. 6 nationally and includes two blue-chippers among the eight commitments.

Bret Bielema came away from his Saturday visit to central Illinois very impressed. The Illinois head football coach addressed ...

As Nebraska slowly builds its next class, a Citrus Bowl imbroglio helped Bret Bielema and Illinois break out on the 2026 ...

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema, center, celebrates with defensive backs Tyler Strain (20) and Matthew Bailey (7) after ...

CHAMPAIGN, Illinois – Illinois football coach Bret Bielema knows expectations for his team in 2025 have – relatively speaking – shot right through the roof. It's not often the Illini are ...

Entering his fifth season as Illinois coach, Bret Bielema has quickly begun to realize his ever-evolving expectations for where he wants his team to go are only getting leveled up. Following a 10 ...

Thompson knew Illinois would be the right fit for his new football home after a conversation with coach Bret Bielema ...