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The Illinois Fighting Illini are 1-1 on the season after a 31-27 loss to the Duke Blue Devils that came after coach Bret Bielema's team was outscored 10-3 in the second half. 

Bielema's Fighting Illini will take on Southern Illinois this Saturday at 2 p.m. ET before heading to Columbus, Ohio to face the former No. 1 team in the country, the Ohio State Buckeyes, on September 26. 

The Buckeyes are expected to have a big advantage on Bielema's team in terms of recruiting star power and NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) player salaries during the game which seems fresh on the mind of Illinois' head coach. 

Bielema addressed the growing discrepancy between NIL salaries in the sport during a press conference on Monday. 

"Double the Amount of Salary"

Bielema lamented Illinois' lack of NIL funds this offseason saying that his program couldn't afford top tier defensive tackles, whose NIL salaries were reaching into the millions of dollars. 

On Monday, he continued to speak on NIL challenges among college football teams. 

"That team you're playing against is double the amount of salary you're playing against," Bielema said in comments posted by Carson Gourdie of FOX Illinois.  

"Like that creates an advantage that's never been seen in college football. Right? And that's not just, used to be just a little bit of difference but now it's like overwhelmingly. 

"So I think what you will see is just more of the same, like, surprise results not just from an individual game but also in the season." 

The Blue Devils surprised the college football world with their ACC championship last season as they defeated the Virginia Cavaliers in the title game. The Indiana Hoosiers also shocked the college football world with their national championship last season after an infusion of NIL funds from wealthy donors. 

Fighting Illini Look to Rebound

Illinois will face a talented Southern Illinois Salukis offense on Saturday that will give maligned defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck a chance to redeem himself after this past Saturday's loss to Duke.

The Blue Devils exploited Illinois' front seven in the running game and in the passing game as they found holes in the first and second level of the defense.

Illinois' stellar secondary was uncharacteristically beaten at times including star defensive back Xavier Scott, who give up a touchdown pass to Jonah Burton of Duke.

Illinois' front seven could be the key to their season going forward. If they can play well enough to stop the run and not allow receivers to run free, Illinois' Scott and Matthew Bailey led secondary can create the big plays they're known for and help out Illinois' talented Katin Houser-led offense.  

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