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Illinois Football: Has Lovie Smith done enough to compete in Big Ten West?

By Dante Pryor

COLLEGE PARK, MD - OCTOBER 27: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field on October 27, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD - OCTOBER 27: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field on October 27, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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Illinois football improved last year but have the Fighting Illini done enough to compete in the Big Ten West in 2019 and beyond?

When Lovie Smith left the professional ranks to become a college coach, both he and the University of Illinois knew the rebuild that would have to happen.

Tim Beckman left amid a player abuse scandal and losing 20-of-24 conference games — he took the job after two lame duck seasons by Ron Zook. So one coach made a mess, another took that mess and made it worse. Lovie took over a team lacking in both depth and culture but if anyone was up for the job it was him.

Lovie won a Super Bowl with the Rams as an assistant and took the Bears (with Rex Grossman mind you) to a Super Bowl. He knows how to win and players love him.

Last season, the Illini improved in several key areas. They had their highest win total (4) that included an upset of Minnesota and a close loss against Northwestern. In addition, they scored the most points per game (26) in the Smith era.

Coach Smith got a contract extension, but that may be because of his massive buyout.

Have the Illini made enough strides to win in the Big Ten? Will they make a bowl or at least be more competitive?

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