# 07/28/26 Hour 1: Bret Bielema Kicks Off Big Ten Media Days in Chicago & Mentions "SEC want to live in 2005 forever." Sunny Verma Live From Media Day & Random Illini Players of the Day

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-drive-on-espn-93-5-477079/07-28-26-hour-1-bret-bielema-kicks-off-big-ten-media-days-in-chicago-mentions-sec-want-to-live-in-2005-forever-sunny-verma-live-from-media-day-random-illini-players-of-the-day
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-drive-on-espn-93-5-477079/07-28-26-hour-1-bret-bielema-kicks-off-big-ten-media-days-in-chicago-mentions-sec-want-to-live-in-2005-forever-sunny-verma-live-from-media-day-random-illini-players-of-the-day.md
Podcast: [The Drive on ESPN 93.5](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-drive-on-espn-93-5-477079)
Published: 2026-07-28T22:18:58+00:00
Episode link: https://tayandpiper.podbean.com/e/072826-hour-1072826hour1-bret-bielema-kicks-off-bigtenmediadaysin-chicago-mentions-sec-want-tolivein-2005-forever-sunnyvermalivefrommedia-dayrandom/
Audio file: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/94tg4g4ikdmxpu4f/07-28-26_HOUR_16ohko.mp3
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-drive-on-espn-93-5-477079/episodes/07-28-26-hour-1-bret-bielema-kicks-off-big-ten-media-days-in-chicago-mentions-sec-want-to-live-in-2005-forever-sunny-verma-live-from-media-day-random-illini-players-of-the-day
Duration seconds: 3560

## Resource

Illinois football officially takes center stage as Big Ten Media Days get underway in Chicago. Head coach Bret Bielema opens the week by taking a subtle shot at the SEC, saying parts of college football are "still stuck in 2005," while explaining why he believes the Big Ten has become the nation's premier conference. We break down Bielema's biggest comments, what they mean for the Illini entering the 2026 season, and the national storylines surrounding Illinois. Plus, Sunny Verma of Locked On Illini joins us live from Big Ten Media Days in Chicago with the latest buzz surrounding Bret Bielema, player interviews, preseason expectations, recruiting chatter, and how Illinois is being viewed by the national media. We also continue one of our favorite offseason traditions with another edition of Random Illini Football Players of the Day, featuring forgotten names, memorable moments, and a trip down Illinois football memory lane.

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