Can't Wait For Saturday | Bielema drops some college football knowledge on the media
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Greetings from "Can't Wait For Saturday," your morning morsel of college football, courtesy of longtime Illini beat writer, AP Top 25 voter and Heisman state rep Bob Asmusssen. He'll give you his views each day on the game he loves.
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I appreciate the frank talk from Illinois coach Bret Bielema.
Normally during the season, reporters have a chance to talk to the third-year leader three times a week: during his Monday press conference, at a Thursday media gaggle and, of course, after the game.
But this week the Illini are off. The one chance for the media to talk to him was Wednesday at the Smith Center. He took questions for about 13 minutes before returning to Illinois football business.
Johnny Newton's targeting suspension was one topic. So was Bielama's recruiting plans for the week. And some strategy questions.
The news of the day in college football is the ongoing investigation into sign stealing at Michigan. Bielema offered he has been able to decipher signals from opponents in the past. Of course, he isn't sending scouts to opponents' games, which is the allegation at Michigan.
There is a difference between using your own abilities to gain an advantage and breaking the rules to get an edge.
In baseball terms, it is the difference between a player figuring out what pitch is coming on his own vs. being signaled the selection by hearing the ganging of trash cans from someone working with the team.
One is gamesmanship. The other is cheating.
I look forward to going back to three weekly media opportunities with Bielama the final month of the season. We learn plenty.
