Former Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema is leading the college football news cycle this morning.
The longtime Badgers head coach (2006-2012) led his No. 24-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini to a statement 31-24 overtime victory over No. 22 Nebraska on Friday night. The win moved Illinois to 4-0 on the young season and 1-0 in Big Ten play.
More significantly, it moved Bielema to 4-5 against ranked teams during his Illinois tenure. That mark comes after the program went just 3-28 in those matchups in the 10 years before his arrival.
The win shakes up a complicated Big Ten landscape with conference play beginning to heat up. Nebraska was considered a sleeper contender to reach the Big Ten title game, though now will face a daunting path to that destination. Illinois, meanwhile, could enter College Football Playoff contention if it continues its stellar play against upcoming opponents No. 10 Penn State, No. 18 Michigan and No. 9 Oregon.
Friday’s result had major implications for the rest-of-season race. It also had many discussing Bielema’s coaching history and undeniable winning track record.
That all started at Wisconsin in 2006. Here is a look Bielema then, and through the years with the Badgers, Arkansas Razorbacks and now Illinois: