While a 2-2 record may not seem like a step forward, the Illinois Fighting Illini can hang their hat on their improved play and highly improved offensive numbers in 2018. Despite a fourth quarter against Penn State where the wheels fell off, Illinois has showed the ability to compete with Big Ten caliber teams.
Following the USF loss, the narrative was being pushed that the near win had less to do with the Illini and more to do with mistakes made by their opponents. Following another near victory, Illinois is trying to flip the script and show that this squad may have what it takes to notch some Big Ten wins in 2018, something they failed to do in 2017.