Make no mistake about it, this is a different Illinois team than the one Carolina dismantled 48-14 last year.That team was breaking in a brand new coach after a familiar name, Tim Beckman, was fired just a week before the start of last season.The game was never really close, and the Heels broke it wide open in the second half.
That was then, and this is now. Illinois made a splash this offseason when they hired former Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith. Known for his defensive prowess, Smith is a fiery coach who gets the most out of his players.