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Bret Bielema Has an $88,000 Super Bowl Ring

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As Super Bowl 59 approaches this Sunday, it's a good time to be reminded of the bodacious bling possessed by Illini Coach Bret Bielema. In addition to the Rose Bowl ring that he earned during his playing days (1990 Iowa Hawkeyes, Big Ten Co-Champions, who lost to Washington 46-34), he also has a ring Super Bowl ring. It's from Super Bowl LIII, when he served as the defensive … [Read more...] about Bret Bielema Has an $88,000 Super Bowl Ring

2024 Illini Football vs the 2022 Team: Who’s Better and Why

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It is quite common, within the world of sports, to feel that the status quo will never change for the better. Until one day it finally does, and then that one long-awaited breakthrough leads to a new standard, and with that, a new ceiling. You saw that with the 2022 Illini football team, which was Bret Bielema's second year in charge of the program. That team laid the … [Read more...] about 2024 Illini Football vs the 2022 Team: Who’s Better and Why

#20 Illinois Fighting Illini vs #15 South Carolina Gamecocks: Citrus Bowl Preview

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When the 2024 Citrus Bowl, featuring the #15 South Carolina Gamecocks vs the #20 Illinois Fighting Illini kicks off on Tuesday, it will be a bowl game where both sides will be near full strength. Lots of stars in both offensive backfields will be taking part, as this is a game with very few major opt-outs. Although it is worth noting that both sides will be without their … [Read more...] about #20 Illinois Fighting Illini vs #15 South Carolina Gamecocks: Citrus Bowl Preview

Citrus Bowl Opt-Outs: Illinois vs South Carolina

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In looking at the list of opt-outs for the 2024 Citrus Bowl, or any bowl game for that matter, one has to remember Christian McCaffery. For better or worse, the San Francisco 49ers star running back is considered the Godfather of the bowl game opt-out. He's the O.G. the who started it all. McCaffery skipped the 2016 Sun Bowl, where his Stanford side beat North Carolina … [Read more...] about Citrus Bowl Opt-Outs: Illinois vs South Carolina

Citrus Bowl vs Alabama Crimson Tide Would be Huge for Illini Football Brand

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About a thousand or so Illinois Fighting Illini football fans conveyed their dedication to the program by braving the freezing elements for a couple more hours beyond the game at Wrigley Field on Saturday. One of them brought a "WE WANT BAMA" sign to the 38-28 win over Northwestern at the Friendly Confines. It was a notable expression of desire, and one that looks set to be … [Read more...] about Citrus Bowl vs Alabama Crimson Tide Would be Huge for Illini Football Brand

Georgia Bulldogs handle Nebraska Cornhuskers in Capital One: news and notes

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In their respective conference championship games, the Georgia Bulldogs came up 5 yards short of competing for the national title versus the Crimson Tide. The Nebraska Cornhuskers had 70 points hung on them by a 5 loss Wisconsin Badgers team. So on this college football holiday, what would happen in the Capital One Bowl? They day belonged to UGA, so thus will the news and notes … [Read more...] about Georgia Bulldogs handle Nebraska Cornhuskers in Capital One: news and notes