Illinois got thrashed by Indiana in Week 4, which has brought Bret Bielema to the disappointing No. 23 rank in the AP poll. Illini fans must’ve missed the presence of one important player. After Bielema’s recent update, the star player is staring at an uncertain future ahead of him. His departure also cast light on a glaring problem in the Illinois defense in Week 4.

Bielema gave an update about the status of veteran DB Xavier Scott, who has been out since the Western Michigan game. A lot of confusion has surrounded the seriousness of his injury, but things are becoming clear. Scott will have to undergo surgery on Wednesday that will keep him “out for the majority of the season,” Bielema confirmed. Scott landed on his lower body when he took the blow, presumably hurting his ankle/lower leg. According to Illinois insider Scott Richey, more medical opinions during this past week ultimately brought out surgery as the preferred way ahead.

Losing Scott is a tough blow to the Illinois camp, since he was an All-Big Ten First Team selection last year. Not only that, but the DB was also a semifinalist for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award. Scott was a leader in the DB room, hauling in 46 tackles last year. Scott possibly sitting out for the rest of the season casts a shadow on his future. However, Bret Bielema still has hope. Richey wrote that Bielema was hopeful that the DB “could be back in the end.”

But the damage is already done, as Indiana skyrocketed up to No. 11 after the win over Illinois. The game was an important one for Bielema. But Scott’s loss, compounded with a nightmare-like situation in the secondary, ended up giving away the game to the Hoosiers. And when a breakdown like this happens, it gives little hope to fans.

Bret Bielema shocked at secondary collapse against Indiana

The Illini already had a lot to prove without Xavier Scott in the secondary. Jaheim Clarke and Ben Clawson were already sidelined before the game. But then, the entire secondary dropped out like flies. Then, Miles Scott was ejected for targeting. That meant the total of production of the stars in the secondary was instantly wiped out from the game. The horrors continued, with more production dropping out. Soon after, starting CB Kaleb Patterson walked out with an injury.

In the course of the eventful night, Mac Resetich, Matthew Bailey, and Torrie Cox also took hits, leaving the game at points. That’s almost the entirety of the room going down against a crucial opponent like Indiana. The Hoosiers offense was definitely pleased, as the offense wreaked havoc at Bloomington. “I’ve never been a part of anything like that,” Bielema said after the game. “We lost, I believe, six of our seven top DBs.” Resetich was thrown into the spotlight and given a huge role, as he took over for the absence of proven production. Tyler Strain and Saboor Kariem were also forced to contribute.

Xavier Scott being sidelined for the majority of Illinois’ season throws serious doubt at the prowess of the DB room. After the domino-like collapse that ensued against Indiana, the depth chart seemed to be way below par. Bret Bielema has got to work on the remaining DBs in his squad, so that this embarrassing loss remains restricted to Week 4.