‘A very difficult task’: New-look Illinois opens season against Toled…

In three days, Illinois will take the field in front of fans for the first time since early January. Coming off the program’s first winning season since 2011, the Illini are in rarified air.

The atmosphere surrounding this program is more competitive than in many years prior, and head coach Bret Bielema now heads into his third season at Illinois with a team of new hopes and expectations.

With so much seemingly riding on this new season, Bielema and his staff arrived at Memorial Stadium on Monday to preview it, as well as the first opponent they will be facing.

The team attempting to play spoiler to the Illini’s home opener? The defending MAC Champions.

THE ROCKETS

Who said non-conference was supposed to be easy?

On Saturday night, Illinois returns to Memorial Stadium to face Toledo. The Rockets enter the 2023 season as favorites to win the MAC again, and they come into Saturday’s matchup with one more AP vote than the Illini.

“They’re a very good football team,”…