CHAMPAIGN -- When he coaches in season openers, Bret Bielema shines.
In his 16 years as a head coach at Wisconsin, Arkansas and Illinois, Bielema is 15-1 in debuts. That includes a 45-0 shutout victory this season against Eastern Illinois, part of his team's 3-0 getaway that earned the Illini a spot in The Associated Press Top 25 with Illinois at No. 24 in Monday's poll.
Next question, how do Bielema's teams fare in conference openers?
Not so good. Going into Friday's game at No. 22 Nebraska (3-0), Bielema's teams are 4-11 in league lidlifters (Loren Tate term). Bielema went 3-4 at Wisconsin, 0-5 at Arkansas and 1-2 so far at Illinois.
But the raw numbers don't tell the whole story. Not even close. Nine of the 15 opponents were ranked, including six in the Top 10. That's a high bar to clear for any program.
During Bielema's time at Arkansas, the Razorbacks played a ranked team in the SEC opener four consecutive years. The league scheduler didn't help Arkansas any.
Bielema understands the difference between the nonconference and league season. There is more familiarity and a built-in long-term relationship with the next nine opponents.
"Playing another Big Ten team ranked on a Friday night is an awesome opportunity for our program," Bielema said Wednesday at the Smith Center. "Really excited about that."
Conditions Friday at the other Memorial Stadium: warm (temperatures in the low 90s/high 80s at kickoff) and loud (400th consecutive sellout).
The heat, no problem. The crowd? Well, the Illini are working on it.
"One thing I was extremely proud of last week, we played our hottest game, and they came out it pretty clean," Bielema said. "Didn't have any cramping, health issues, so our guys have done a really good job proactively doing that stuff."
The weather and the crowd aren't the only challenges when teams hit the road.
"First time we're all getting on a plane together," Bielema said. "It's the first time we're going to be in an unfamiliar environment when they eat their prepgame meal. We have a set menu that we do, but obviously, the first three games were prepared by the same people. That stuff all adds into it."
The travel arrangements and chefs don't matter when the ball is kicked off.
"The game of football is played between the white lines," Bielema said. "We stress that all the time.
"We do things routinely around here that I think promote and put us in a position to have success. We'll see on Friday night after the game."
Stepping up
Second-year quarterback Luke Altmyer ranks among the Top 30 nationally in completion percentage, passing efficiency and touchdowns. Not bad for a guy who is working in an offense that will never be described as "Air Bielema."
Altmyer vowed in the offseason to become more of a vocal leader. Bielema sees it.
"Just Luke's confidence," Bielema said. "We always say: 'Volume reflects confidence.' He talks. He speaks. We have (piped in) crowd noise this week and you can hear him amplifying his voice even more. But also his non-verbal.
"I just think everything from A to Z, his moxie, his awareness, he really reminds when (2022 starter) Tommy (DeVito) really took a big step."
Altmyer and Bielema have developed a close relationship. By design.
"I was very intentional from last January to where we are now about how those things happened and transpire," Bielema said. "I think it's been very positive on a lot of different levels."
Full support
Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry talked to the media Tuesday about the recent death of his sister Ashley.
Bielema confirmed that Henry will travel Saturday to Florida for her services and return to the team on Sunday.
"I've known Aaron since he was a young man, 16 years of age," Bielema said.
They had a long talk after Henry got word of his sister's passing last week.
"I told him the next day, 'You just take as much time as you need,'" Bielema said. "I thought our defensive staff took over in that moment and handled it as good as you could hope for."
Bielema understands what Henry is going through. He too lost a sister at a young age.
"I know he's processing things right now," Bielema said.