Can't Wait For Saturday Early opener gives Illinois extra prep time for pivotal Duke matchup

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May 28—***

Certainly, someone at the Big Ten office or within the Illinois athletic department ran the idea of opening the football season on Thursday past sixth-year head coach Bret Bielema, right?

Not that he would have objected. Bielema likes extra time to get his team ready for an opponent and by playing UAB on Sept. 3, Illinois will have a two-day head start on the second oppnent Duke, which visits the House of Grange on Sept. 12.

Duke opens its season at home on Sept.5 against Tulane. The Green Wave, fresh off an appearance in the College Football Playoff. figure to test the Blue Devils … even at Durham. Will Hall is the new head coach in New Orleans, promoted after serving as passing game coordinator.

The UAB game gives Illinois a mini-open weekend during a packed season. The only true open week is Oct. 17, wedged between games against Michigan State (road) and Oregon (home).

Bielema with his new defensive coordinator and new starting quarterback will make the best of it. He will appreciate the prime-time game the opening week, knowing his program can be seen by most of the country.

Illinois-Duke is part of a loaded early nonconference schedule for the Big Ten, which includes Oregon-Boise State, Wisconsin-Notre Dame at Green Bay, Wis., Ohio State-Texas and Michigan-Oklahoma. None of those games are in the same window as the first three Illinois matchups.

I'm planning to come up with a grid of what I plan to watch, maximizing my viewing experience. You should too.

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