Bielema was awarded a new contract this offseason after guiding Illinois to its first 10-win season since 2001 — just the fifth in program history. The Illini rewarded him with a six-year extension that runs through 2031, worth $7.7 million annually.

It was yet another electric few days of college football this weekend, with Carson Beck's now-No. 2 Miami Hurricanes jumping two spots into the AP's Top 25 poll, the Indiana Hoosiers making a statement with a drubbing 63-10 of Illinois, and Notre Dame finally getting themselves in the win column with a victory over Purdue.

Thanks to an impressive win at Utah, Texas Tech is the newest addition the projected College Football Playoff field.

ESPN Analytics project Illinois to have a 14% chance to reach the Big Ten title game if it beats Indiana, although that chance drops to 3% with a loss to the Hoosiers. Simply put, there are massive CFP implications on the line for Illinois in Week 4. ESPN also projects Illinois to lose three of its next four games to Indiana, USC and Ohio State.

Illinois football grabs national spotlight as FOX's 'Big Noon' show visits Champaign

The Illini and Hoosiers' meeting is the biggest in series history – we know. But the season isn't over for the loser.