Bret Bielema has turned Illinois into a consistent contender, leading the Fighting Illini to eight or more wins in three of his first five seasons. Each of those winning campaigns earned a bowl bid, with two victories to show for it.

But what about those years where the team fell just short? Bielema's other two squads finished 5-7, missing bowl eligibility by a single win. If offered a chance to compete in a postseason game, would they have accepted? The answer, as Bielema might put it, is "You betcha."

The extra practice time and national exposure that come with a bowl appearance are invaluable for program building. Just imagine a future star recruit flipping through channels during the holidays, spotting Illinois in a bowl game, and thinking, "That's where I want to be."

Now, the NCAA rule makers are stepping up to address this. They're expanding options for bowls to select a wider variety of 5-7 teams—as long as those schools meet certain academic progress standards. Previously, only a narrow set of 5-7 teams based on academic rankings could fill empty bowl slots. Now, bowls will have more flexibility to choose.

For a program like Illinois, this change makes perfect sense. With the state's large population and the team's proud history, a 5-7 Illini squad will always be an attractive pick for bowl organizers. As long as the number of bowl games remains high, it's hard to imagine Illinois getting left out even in a down year.

Of course, the better plan is to keep winning at a high level. But in those seasons where injuries and close losses pile up, it's reassuring to know there's a safety net. For fans who can't wait for Saturday, this new flexibility means more bowl action—and more chances to see their team shine on the national stage.