TAMPA — Lovie Smith insists it's a business trip, a chance for his Illinois football team to go 3-0. The Fighting Illini had three wins all of last season, Smith's first as head coach in Champaign.
When Smith takes his team into Raymond James Stadium on Friday night to face No. 22 USF on national TV, it represents his return to Tampa as a head coach after being fired by the Bucs shortly after the 2015 season. And I bet it matters to him, whether he says it or not. He says not.
Smith will be back, just two days before the Bucs open their delayed season against the Bears — two teams Smith head coached.