“Some people didn’t vote for us at all,” Bret Bielema said. But yesterday’s trouncing victory over Western Illinois should push the CFP committee to rethink. Luke Altmyer took a few hits, but he was still able to power through and lead the Illini to a commanding 52-3 victory. But the most important storyline of that show is that he did it with a new supporting cast around him. And among that crew, one star announced himself while breaking a century-old record.

The biggest question mark for Bielema ahead of Illinois’ opener was the capability of a relatively inexperienced WR room. The departures of Pat Bryant and Zakhari Williams meant that the room was lacking the production of its most important duo. But beneath their spotlight, WR Hank Beatty patiently awaited his chance

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