The SEC just shook up college football — announcing a nine-game conference schedule plus a required Power 4 non-conference matchup starting in 2026. On the surface, it looks like SEC news. But make no mistake: this directly affects Illinois and the rest of the Big Ten.
In today’s episode, we break down: Why Illinois can’t afford to lag behind in scheduling tough opponents What this means for Bret Bielema’s program and future playoff hopes The possibility of Illinois facing more marquee matchups (think Duke, Missouri, or even SEC crossover games) How recruiting could change if the Big Ten follows suit It’s a new era of strength-of-schedule wars — and Illinois is right in the middle of it.
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