The days leading up to the Penn State game were cautiously optimistic for many. The Illini had a chance to really show what they were made of in Lovie Smith’s third year as head coach. MJ Rivers, filling in for an injured AJ Bush, showed promise and a nice zip on his passes. Three important suspended players were returning to the lineup. And Mike Epstein and Ricky Smalling have been looking as good as ever.
Unfortunately, the fourth quarter broke the game wide open, and the Illini lost by a landslide. If Smith wants to show real improvement of his team, he is going to need to win at least a couple of Big Ten games.