Former players under Lovie Smith speak about Illinois, one predicts win over Michigan, Ohio State in 2020

Illinois has had Lovie Smith as its head coach for four seasons now. This is his fourth year and has the Fighting Illini at 6-4 overall.

The game a week ago against Michigan State ended in dramatic fashion, as the team came back against the Spartans from 25 points down to win and become bowl eligible. Smith’s best record at Illinois came a season ago when the team finished at 4-8.

This year will obviously top that.

Before his time at Illinois, Smith coached the Chicago Bears from 2004-12 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2014-15. Some of his former players with the Bears spoke out about the job Smith has done at Illinois, turning it around from what he inherited it as.

One made a bold prediction as well, saying that Illinois would beat either Michigan or Ohio State next season:

.@alexbrown96 is calling a W for @IlliniFootball over either Michigan or Ohio State next year 👀@olin_kreutz, @MattForte22 and @LanceBriggs on being proud of @LovieSmith's program and the direction it's going ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/S81pzuTRci

— Bears Talk (@NBCSBears) November 14, 2019

Illinois has a bye this week and will play at Iowa on Saturday, Nov. 23.