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Illinois Football: 5 ways the Illini will improve under Rod Smith

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 29: Illinois Fighting Illini fans are seen in the tailgating area before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 29, 2017 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 29: Illinois Fighting Illini fans are seen in the tailgating area before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 29, 2017 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – SEPTEMBER 09: An Illini cheerleader carries the Block I flag across the field after a touchdown during a non-conference college football game between the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and the University of Illinois Fighting Illini, September 09, 2017, at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL. Illinois won, 20-7. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Points on the board

It has been well documented how bad the Illini offense was last season. This was one of the worst Illini offenses I have seen in my lifetime. The numbers showed how bad they were too.

Illinois only averaged 15.4 points per game which ranked No. 125 in the nation. There were only five teams who were worse than the Illini in scoring last season. That was unacceptable and one of the reasons why Rod Smith is now the offensive coordinator of the program.

Smith brings a high-paced offense to Champaign. He has done wonders with teams in the past, and he should be able to do some great things with the quarterbacks Illinois has now and is bringing in from the class of 2018.

Last season, Smith coached the Arizona Wildcats. Overall, they didn’t have a great record – mostly because of their defense – but Smith’s offense was sensational. They averaged scoring 39.6 PPG in 2017 and this was good enough for No. 8 in the nation. I can’t even imagine if the Illini could get near that next year how good this team would be.

Smith has a lot of offensive knowledge and it is time for the Illini to be schooled. He is bringing in a game plan that will put points on the board.

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