What are realistic expectations for Illinois in 2023?

Happy Sunday, Illinois Land!

In less than seven weeks (48 days), Illinois football and its head coach Bret Bielema will get about as oiled as a diesel train, opening the 2023 season bin Champaign against the visiting Toledo Rockets at 6:30 p.m.. Saturday night’s alright for fighting.

No one seems to be talking about it, or Bielema’s team. That’s probably just fine with the third-year coach. Let’s add some perspective, and dare I say it, logic and reasoning. I’ll unpack that in a bit.

Let’s first take a look at Brad Underwood, and add some nuance and context.

It’s no secret that the talk of the town — or the campus — is usually across the street at State Farm Center.

The documentation of this fact is well-known. Transfers coming and going and not having key positions filled, like having no traditional point guard, have become commonplace entertainment for Illinois and Big Ten fans alike.

Underwood & Co. are a common topic of this site, as they should be.