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Oct. 15—CHAMPAIGN — As a player at Iowa from 1989 through 1992, Bret Bielema went 1-3 against Michigan. The lone win was a 24-23 decision at Ann Arbor in 1990.
As the head coach at Wisconsin from 2006-12, Bielema was 3-2 against the Wolverines.
And at Illinois, Bielema is 0-1 against Michigan. That’s a respectable 4-6 overall record against the winningest program in FBS history.
Of course, none of those previous games helps No. 22 Illinois (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) when it hosts No. 24 Michigan (4-2, 2-1) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday on CBS.
“Everyone’s got their history,” Bielama said during his Monday afternoon press conference at Memorial Stadium. “This game means a lot to me.”
The bulk of Bielema’s coaching history is in the Big Ten, as a head coach and on staffs at Iowa and Wisconsin.
“I’ve been in this conference a long time,” Bielema said.
His first game against Michigan as a player, Bielema was a redshirt freshman.
The game was at Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium and legend Bo Schembechler was coaching the Wolverines, where he drew a penalty in the first half time to rile up the Hawkeyes’ fans.
Either way, it didn’t diminish what Bielema thinks of the Wolverines.
“I have a huge respect for who they are,” he said, “andwhat they are.”
In Bielema’s early years as the Wisconsin coach after succeeding Barry Alvarez, Lloyd Carr was the big boss at Michigan.
“Him and Coach Alvarez were very tight,” Bielema said. “The only game I lost my first year was to Michigan (27-13). I remember Lloyd grabbing me at spring meetings talking what I had in front of me, what I should be aware of.”
Saturday’s game includes the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Red Grange’s mind-numbing performance in a 39-14 win against Michigan. Four touchdowns in 12 minutes is all you need to know.
Bielema started talking about it with his players before the season.
“We…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/bob-asmussen-illinois-michigan-rivalry-144700830.html
Author : The News-Gazette, Champaign-Urbana, Ill.
Publish date : 2024-10-15 14:47:00
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