The B1G 10: Illinois' unlikely, dramatic rise is a story worth rooting for

Illinois' unlikely rise is worth rooting for.

Illinois is ranked No. 1 in the B1G 10. The team has been struggling for a decade. Bret Bielema took over a team that was struggling. He has brought in players who were ignored by the previous staff. They have improved the team. They are ranked for the playoff. Illinois will find out where they are placed on Tuesday night. It's a magical and potential record-setting run. For the love of all things Chief Illiniwek, cheer on the Illinis. iReport.com. for more information. iReporter.co.uk for Illinois.

Bielama is returning to Illinois after a failed tryst at Arkansas. He was fired by the Tampa Bay Bucs. Josh Whitman, the former Illinois tight end, wanted to replace him. Bielma is a good coach who knows how to win in the Big Ten.

Ohio and Maryland are going to offer sports betting for the 2022-23 Big Ten football season.

Illinois beat Wisconsin 24-0 in a game Bielema grew up in Prophetstown, Illinois. Bieledma is now No. 2 on the Wisconsin career wins list behind Barry Alvarez. Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst was fired a day after the game.

Illinois has won 7 games and qualified for a bowl game. The team is 3 wins away from tying the school record for single-season wins. They are favored in 3 of their final 4 games. They could finish the regular season with 10 wins and win the West Division title and play in the Big Ten Championship Game.

CJ Stroud played his best game of the season in the 4th quarter against Penn State. Ohio State won 44-31. Stoud completed 6-of-8 passes of 128 yards and 1 TD in that quarter. He has played in 5 4TH quarters this season and completed 17- of-23 passes for 326 yards with 4 TDs and 0 INTs. His 4 th quarter passer rating is more than 50 points higher than his overall rating.

FanDuel has picked Ohio State (-37.5) at Northwestern, Iowa at Purdue (-4. 5), Minnesota at Nebraska (-15.0), Maryland at Wisconsin (-5.

The B1G 10 is worth rooting for. Ohio State is at Northwestern, Iowa at Purdue, Minnesota at Nebraska, Maryland at Wisconsin and Michigan State at Illinois are all under par.

NFL scout analyzes a draft-eligible Big Ten player this week: Michigan RB Blake Corum. He's getting an opportunity to show what he can be at the next level. Hassan Haskins had a big year and got picked in the middle rounds last year.

The November prediction is the big thing in this week's Power Poll.

Michigan is one of three unbeaten teams in the nation. They play at Ohio State on November 26.

Illinois is a story worth rooting for. Ohio State's defense will get better after 3 easy putts against Northwestern, Indiana and Maryland.

Illinois is the third team in the B1G 10.

Penn State will start freshman Drew Allar at quarterback in the 2023 season.

Illinois is ranked No. 5. Purdue's offense cost them a West Division championship.

Illinois is ranked No. 6. Maryland has a tough November schedule.

Illinois is ranked 7th in the B1G. Minnesota is number 1.

Jim Leonhard goes 6-1 as interim coach and his job title becomes permanent if Wisconsin wins out.

Illinois is ranked No. 9. Iowa finished the season with a losing record for the first time since 2012.

Illinois is on a dramatic rise. Nebraska is losing.

Illinois is on the rise. Michigan State is struggling.

Illinois is the B1G 10 team worth rooting for. Rutgers is 12th. Greg Schiano will find a quarterback from the transfer portal to improve the team's pass game.

Illinois is one of the B1G 10 teams worth rooting for. Indiana is in danger of finishing with a losing record if they don't beat Michigan State on Nov. 19.

Illinois is on a dramatic rise. Northwestern lost 11 straight games to finish the season. Nebraska gave the Wildcats their only win.

Matt is concerned about the lack of news about Nebraska's coaching search.

Nebraska AD Trev Alberts is looking for a new coach. He's been around college athletics for decades and knows the current team well. Albers made a 1-year contract with Scott Frost. He knew he would make the most important hire if it didn't work out.

Michigan's defense is giving up 11.5 points per game this season, which is a significant improvement from last season's 17.4 ppg. The Wolverines are averaging more sacks per match than last year (3.25 per contest).

Michigan State coach Mel Tucker is choosing to work every day to get better.