For the biggest questions and challenges facing the non-Wisconsin Big Ten football programs in the coming decade, I reached out to friends for some outside perspectives. For the Illinois Fighting Illini, I consulted Terry Johnson, whom you can find on Twitter at @TerryPJohnson.
Terry used to work with me at Comeback Media and, before that, at College Football News. He follows the national scene quite well, but Illinois is one of the Big Ten programs he has observed more closely than others. (You can also get the best assessments of Georgia and Utah from him — he lives in Georgia, and family members attended the University of Utah.)
Here is what Terry had to say about the coming decade of Fighting Illini football, as our “Big Ten, big ’20s” series continues at Badgers Wire:
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The biggest question surrounding Illinois football in the 2020s is whether the team will contend in the Big Ten West year in and year out.
I realize that most casual football fans will dismiss this idea. They only know the Fighting Illini as a team that usually struggles, but occasionally breaks through with a big season, as it did in 2001 or 2007. After suffering losses to Eastern Michigan, South Florida (twice), and Rutgers in the past three seasons, it’s easy to see why people don’t expect Illinois to compete for B1G West crown anytime soon.
However, as Lee Corso would say, “Not so fast, my friend”.
Illini football wasn’t always an “also ran” in the Big Ten. Mike White guided Illinois to five straight winning seasons from 1981-1986, highlighted by a Rose Bowl berth at the end conclusion of the 1983 season. John Mackovic succeeded him and led the Illini to four additional winning seasons, including a top 10 finish in 1989. Lou Tepper took the team to two bowl games in three seasons before things fell apart in 1996.
In other words: it’s possible to win consistently at Illinois. Unfortunately, it hasn’t happened since Texas lured Mackovic away in 1992.
Will Lovie Smith finally get the Illini back to the level it was under White and Mackovic?
That’s a great question. Illinois showed flashes of brilliance at times this season, posting impressive wins against Wisconsin and at Michigan State. Yet, it also suffered head-scratching losses to Eastern Michigan, Nebraska, and Northwestern(?!).
Simply put: there’s no way to know which direction things will go over the next few seasons. That’s why people will ask, “when will Illinois reach the level of consistency that it did in the 1980s” for most of the 2020s.
— Terry P. Johnson