Illinois head coach Bret Bielema attempts to throw Georgia's Kirby Smart under the bus

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema is attempting to throw the Georgia Bulldogs and head coach Kirby Smart under the bus for landing former Fighting Illini star rusher Josh McCray a little too fast via the NCAA Transfer Portal. 

Without directly saying it, Bielma hinted that the Smart may have tampered with the process of getting McCray to Athens. 

"We did lose a guy to Georgia," Bielema said during an appearance on The Triple Option podcast. "Somehow, he found his way to the portal, and 12 hours after being in the portal, he was on a flight to Georgia. I don't know how that happened, but it's crazy.

McCray was a hot commodity in the NCAA transfer portal this offseason, leaving Smart and the Bulldogs wasting no time jumping on the opportunity. 

The 6‑foot‑1 and 240-pound running back rushed for 1,370 yards on 291 carries, for a solid 4.7-yard average, and scored 14 rushing touchdowns in four seasons under Bielma. He also contributed through the air with 25 receptions for 208 yards and one touchdown.

He joins the Bulldogs fresh off his most productive season where he posted career highs with 117 carries, 609 rushing yards (5.2 average), and 10 rushing touchdowns, plus another 13 catches for 116 yards and one score. 

His biggest moment came in the Cheez‑It Citrus Bowl, where he carried the ball 13 times for 114 yards and two touchdowns, earning game MVP honors and helping Illinois seal a 21‑17 victory over South Carolina.

With this proven production, especially as a short-yardage and red-zone threat, McCray should have trouble carving out a valuable role in Georgia’s backfield this fall. 

As for Bielema and his implied allegations, it just sounds like he needs some fries with that salt.