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Illinois Football: 5 observations from the Illini loss to Iowa

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 17: Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback AJ Bush (1) hands the ball off to Illinois Fighting Illini running back Ra'Von Bonner (21) in their own end zone during the Big Ten Conference college football game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Illinois Fighting Illini on November 17, 2018, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 17: Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback AJ Bush (1) hands the ball off to Illinois Fighting Illini running back Ra'Von Bonner (21) in their own end zone during the Big Ten Conference college football game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Illinois Fighting Illini on November 17, 2018, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – NOVEMBER 17: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini walks off the field and is met by athletic director Josh Whitman after losing to the Iowa Hawkeyes 63-0 at Memorial Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – NOVEMBER 17: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini walks off the field and is met by athletic director Josh Whitman after losing to the Iowa Hawkeyes 63-0 at Memorial Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

2. I am still not giving up on Lovie Smith

I know that I am in the minority here. I know that it sounds absolutely ridiculous after the worst loss in Illinois football history. But, I am still not willing to give up on the Lovie Smith era in Champaign.

I don’t want people to think I have some imaginary Orange and Blue blinders on right now. I totally see what is happening with this Illinois football team. When we lose games, it is by a lot of points. We are getting thrashed in every aspect of the game at times. This game against Iowa was awful in every phase.

This isn’t a micro thing, though. I am looking at this from a macro view, and I believe it is warranted to give Lovie and his coaching staff at least another year at the helm. There are a few reasons I am not giving up on Lovie right now.

The first reason being this Illinois team has shown improvement from the year before. I wanted to see improvement this year and it has happened. The Illini hit the four-win mark, which is the most since Lovie took over. They have two Big Ten wins this season, which is the most since Lovie took over. And, the Illinois offense has looked really good, at times, as well. These are on-the-field reasons why I think Lovie needs at least another year.

I also think he needs another year because of the talent coming in from the class of 2019. I want to see these players in the Orange and Blue. Losing Lovie would lose these talented players. I think players like Isaiah Williams and Marquez Beason can help this program win games in the near future.

While many people are jumping off the Lovie bandwagon, I am not ready to give up yet. I want to still give him another year to see what he can do with this football team.

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