If patience is a virtue, what is the reward?
A fresh football buzz is reverberating in Illini circles. High school prospects are displaying interest. Even rival coaches applauded the hiring of Lovie Smith in a conference call.
But if patience is the watchword today, wins will ultimately be needed to sustain this enthusiasm. If Smith doesn’t produce a plus-.500 record or at least a bowl qualifier in the next few years, will that enthusiasm subside? Will patience go unrewarded?
It’s a tough pull. Six UI foes in 2016 are deeply entrenched. Michigan State (12-2), Iowa (12-2), North Carolina (11-3), Wisconsin (10-3), Michigan (10-3) and Northwestern (10-3) posted an overall record of 65-16.