On New Year’s Eve, when Illinois takes the field in sunny Orlando, Florida, to face South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl (2 p.m. CT, on ESPN), it will be a day of firsts for Illini football.

The truth is that there's not a whole lot Illinois can do with its helmet considering their logo is a block I, but this is certainly better than the word Illini on the side in that slanted script.

Illinois football coach Bret Bielema stopped by the Esquire for our weekly radio show hosted by News-Gazette sportswriters ...

However, there will be something distinctly different about the Illini's season finale than ... was met with positive reactions from the college football community, particularly those who follow ...