Emotions high for Miss. State, Illinois to open 2023

When the ReliaQuest Bowl matchup was set on the first Sunday in December, Mike Leach was Mississippi State's head coach, Ryan Walters was Illinois' defensive coordinator and both teams' rosters were teeming with stars.

But almost nothing looks the same as the No. 24 Bulldogs (8-4) and Fighting Illini (8-4) prepare to play on the first Monday in 2023 in Orlando.

Leach, 61, passed away Dec. 12 due to complications from a