It would seem to be a natural that Iowa and Illinois would have a storied football rivalry, being in the same conference and being in bordering states. But they don’t. The Hawkeyes will try to extend their dominance over Illini this century.
The Iowa-Illinois game Saturday night in Champaign, Ill, features the Big Ten Conference’s best defense (Illinois) and its worst offense (Iowa) statistically.
It’s been more than 20 years since Bret Bielema last coached at Iowa, but many fond memories remain from his time at his alma mater.
Kirk Ferentz considers Illinois as the Hawkeyes’ second “home state.” The recruiting battle there could be more difficult with Bret Bielema leading the Illini.
Bret Bielema had contingency plans in place in case COVID-19 prevented him from coaching, which will be the case Saturday when Illinois visits Iowa.
The Gazette’s John Steppe and The News-Gazette’s Bob Asmussen preview this week’s Illinois-Iowa game on Hawk Off The Press, our Hawkeye football podcast.
Illinois football has made great strides in Bret Bielema’s first year as head coach.
Illinois coach Bret Bielema tested positive for COVID-19. The former Hawkeye player and assistant will miss Saturday’s game at Iowa.
Bret Bielema. Back in Kinnick after an 11-year absence.
After nine years coaching in the SEC and NFL, Bret Bielema’s return to the Big Ten was the talk of the first day at Big Ten Media Days. One of Bielema’s missions is to take back the state of Illinois in recruiting, which is also a hot bed for Iowa recruits.
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