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Illinois Football: Illini Team Grades Through 3 Games

By Rees Woodcock

Sep 10, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; (left to right) Illinois Fighting Illini offensive line coach Luke Butkus, head coach Lovie Smith, and back judge Jim Biddle watch the replay board during the 4th quarter at Memorial Stadium. North Carolina beat Illinois 48 to 23. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; (left to right) Illinois Fighting Illini offensive line coach Luke Butkus, head coach Lovie Smith, and back judge Jim Biddle watch the replay board during the 4th quarter at Memorial Stadium. North Carolina beat Illinois 48 to 23. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 3, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Samuel Harlib (82) and Illinois Fighting Illini offensive lineman Joe Spencer (71) celebrate with head coach Lovie Smith after the game against the Murray State Racers at Memorial Stadium. Illinois defeated Murray State 52 to 3. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Samuel Harlib (82) and Illinois Fighting Illini offensive lineman Joe Spencer (71) celebrate with head coach Lovie Smith after the game against the Murray State Racers at Memorial Stadium. Illinois defeated Murray State 52 to 3. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports /

COACHING STAFF. C. . C. Record: 1-2

When Lovie Smith was hired back in March of this year I thought it could be an addition that put the Illini back on the map.

Well, I wasn’t wrong because Illinois received the most positive attention for their football program in years.

Through three games this season, the coaching staff grade is probably a ‘C’.

There is nothing Lovie has done amazing with this team.  They are basically the same program we saw last season, but a big difference in coaching is how this team will regroup.

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Illinois competed against a tough North Carolina team after beating down Murray State.  But, that loss to Western Michigan really was embarrassing.

The Illini fans have a lot to look forward to, though.  They have a competent coaching staff that is putting recruiting first and building a program that we can be proud of.

I would like to see Lovie get back to his roots and run the ball more while playing tough defense.  Getting Vaughn more carries will improve the offensive flow and it will keep the defense fresh.

Lovie was always known for his tough defenses with the Chicago Bears and I want to see that with the Illini.  His hirings will hopefully get things going as well.

Offensive coordinator Garrick McGee needs to take pressure off Lunt to perform at quarterback.  He seems to be under a lot of pressure and a way to alleviate that is to give it to Vaughn more often.

Defensive coordinator Hardy Nickerson has done a great job for what he has been given.  The defensive line is performing well but the entire defense needs to focus a little more on the run.

Next: Illinois Basketball: 5 Games Determine If Illini Are Contenders

Overall, I think the coaching staff has been given a rusty old classic car and are trying to fix it up.  There is a nice car underneath but they have to go through inches of rust to get there.

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