Five guys we expect to step up for Illinois this season

Illinois football has a long way to go.

It has much more winning to do to be a factor in the new Big Ten.

Bret Bielema has gotten off to a great start, but we’re nowhere near the pinnacle of this rebuild.

Or, at least that’s how it should be.

In other words, Illinois football certainly isn’t what it was.

But it’s also not what it’s going to be.

The Bielema way is the Bielema way: power running, aggressive defense, ball control, fundamentally sound football played by intelligent, tough, dependable players.

Those elements will remain in place regardless of how dramatic the roster/staff turnover is.

“I ain’t changed, but I know I ain’t the same.” The Wallflowers, One Headlight

So will this year be the bridge to a better future? Or was last season that bridge?

Were the hard lessons learned against Michigan and Purdue the scars the Illini needed to be a better program? Are the Wolverines the Detroit Pistons to the Illini’s Bulls?

I can’t say either with absolute…