Report Card: Illinois vs. Iowa

Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty ImagesBoy, that was something to see live in person.

I sat under the East balcony near the horseshoe, and watching this game, I had this sickening feeling in the back of my mind.

Maybe with a score we can get back in this. Maybe with a score we can make it a respectable loss. I hope. I hope. Maybe. Maybe.

That's the feeling I've had throughout the tenure of Lovie Smith. Glass half full. Look at the bright side. We're young. It'll take time. Blah, blah, blah.

Then reality finally slapped me in the face yesterday, and I realized it's never going to happen under Lovie. This is it for me. This wasn't No. 1 Ohio State or Michigan this year. This isn't Alabama. This is…