Illinois has a pulse again after beating Minnesota

Mike Granse-USA TODAY SportsIllinois’ resounding 55-31 home victory against Minnesota shined like a beacon of hope for a program recently left for dead by many. Here’s what we can take away from the huge win.

While A.J. Bush has failed to separate himself as the lead man under center for the Illini, one thing is clear, Rod Smith’s 2018 offense is built for the senior transfer. The decisions to start Bush and to receive the opening kickoff seemed synced to the greater overall strategy to take an early lead and grind the Gophers down.

M.J. Rivers is the better pure passer — and potentially the quarterback of the future for the Orange and Blue — but Bush is the better fit this year considering…