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CHAMPAIGN — He wasn’t watching live — something about a football game he had to prepare for — but Illinois coach Bret Bielema knew his team checked in at No. 21 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings.

“It’s huge. It’s big. It makes us relevant,” Bielema said Thursday at the Smith Center.

Even if he hadn’t noticed, Bielema would have soon been alerted by family members, football players and friends.

“An hour after they came out, you just have an influx of reactions from recruits, guys that are in the portal that we’re recruiting,” Bielema said. “I hear from NFL coaches, NFL people, former coaches that I worked with that are at other places. I think it brings in a lot more awareness to your program when you’re ranked. You’re in a different conversation. It’s a good thing to be a part of.”

Illinois was ranked by the 12-person committee on Tuesday. Bielema thought it might happen a week sooner.

“I wasn’t surprised,” Bielema said. “I knew there was a change (in the committee makeup). I knew when I saw Hunter (Yurachek) pop on.”

Yurachek is the Arkansas athletic director, who stepped in for Mack Rhoades, who resigned for personal reasons. Yurachek was not in charge at Arkansas during Bielema’s time there.

“When he got named the guy, I knew there was going to be some deeper dialogue,” Bielema said, “Also, as they get further into it, they start researching how teams lost and why. That was probably something that played into our favor. All we’ve got to do is worry about this week and see where we’re at at the end.”

Weather or not

Any time you play a late November game in Wisconsin, there is a chance for extreme cold or snow. Not the case this week.

The forecast for Saturday night in Madison calls for temperatures in the low 30s and no chance for rain or snow. Winds are expected to be light.

“Every day, 6:30 a.m., we start as a staff meeting. I usually tell them what the weather is today and what I expect it to be Saturday wherever we’re playing,” Bielema said. “I don’t want to shocked on Saturday. All along, what we’ve had here is what we’re going to get there.”

All aboard

Bielema said his team is healthy ahead of the trip north.

“Everybody’s cleared, everybody’s good to go,” Bielema said. “(Tailback) Aidan Laughery practiced all week.”

Bright spots

Wisconsin is just 3-7 this season, with a 1-6 mark in Big Ten play, ahead of hosting Illinois (7-3, 4-3 Big Ten) for a 6:30 p.m. kick on Saturday in Madison, Wis. The Badgers are already eliminated from bowl consideration. But the team, especially on defense, has played better in recent weeks.

Wisconsin dropped a close game at Oregon in late October and came back the next week to upset Washington at Camp Randall, 13-10

Coach Luke Fickell is using a pair of freshman at linebacker. Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano are second and fourth on the team in tackles. Posa is tied for the team lead with four sacks.

“They’ve played well all year defensively,” Bielema said about the Badgers. “They understand what they want. The emergence of the two freshman linebackers, obviously, are very productive.”

Hands up

In recent games, the Illinois defensive line has been blocking pass attempts at a high level. Why?

“I think emphasis,” Bielema said. “I think (defensive coordinator) Aaron (Henry) and our defensive staff has really emphasized that.”

Having tall guys on the line helps, too.

“Pat Farrell is a large dude,” Bielema said. “That’s been a huge thing the last three weeks for sure.”

New gig

Illinois assistant running back coach James White will be making his first trip to Madison as a member of the Illinois staff. Turns out, it might be the only such trip.

After Thursday’s press conference, White was announced as the new coach at Benet Academy in Lisle. He will stay with Illinois the remainder of the season.

Bielema hinted about White’s move.

“James will have some big news come this afternoon,” Bielema said. “I’m super excited for him. He’s really been a blessing.”