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Illinois coach Lovie Smith is heading into this week’s matchup vs. Wisconsin with some confidence coming off last season’s upset victory against the Badgers.
“I think we’re a stronger football team (than last year),” Smith told reporters on Monday.
Smith’s squad pulled off the upset vs Wisconsin in Champaign last season, winning a 24-23 thriller thanks to a game-clinching field goal by kicker James McCourt. However, prior to that upset, Wisconsin had won nine straight meetings in this series.
The victory sparked a four game winning streak for Illinois, a stretch that ultimately led to its first bowl game appearance of Smith’s tenure.
Smith also said he sees the lack of fans due to the pandemic as an advantage for the Illini and other visiting teams.
#illini Lovie Smith said defense has to bring "big-boy pads" against Wisconsin offense, which forces team to play sound and tackle well. But Lovie thinks this team is better than last year and called Friday "a good matchup."
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) October 19, 2020
#illini Lovie Smith said team has gone through "withdrawals" of not playing football games. Excited to be the first Big Ten team to play.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) October 19, 2020
#illini Lovie Smith: Would I rather have 90,000 Badger fans or no Badger fans there? I'm going no Badger fans every time. Should help the visiting team.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) October 19, 2020
It’s not hard to see why Smith prefers the lack of fans on the road — the last time Illinois traveled to Wisconsin, it left with a 49-20 defeat.
Wisconsin is currently a 19.5-point point favorite at most books.
Kickoff is slated for 8 p.m. ET on Friday night and will be the first B1G game of the season. The Big Ten Network will have the broadcast.
Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.