Gophers will face an Illinois team looking for answers

Each week, a reporter covering the Gophers' opponent will be my guest to discuss his or her team. This week, it's Bob Asmussen of the Champaign News-Gazette, who breaks down the Illini.

Q: The Lovie Smith era at Illinois hasn't produced a lot of success yet. Are fans getting restless and do you think Smith's job is in jeopardy this year?

A: Yes, the fans are getting restless. I hear it at our weekly radio show. Lots of griping about how he coaches the game. He sort of set himself up for that by winning the first two games this season, including an unexpectedly easy win against Western Kentucky. The last four losses have been lopsided, which has the negative local talk going even stronger.

But Smith is not in trouble with his bosses. And that's who really matters. He has the total backing of athletic director Josh Whitman and the administration. They realized this was not a quick fix and that's why they gave Smith a six-year deal worth $21 million total. Would they like it to speed up and look more competitive? Of course. But they are realistic about the team that Smith took over and how much needed to be done. Now, if they are 3-9 or worse in 2018, there might be some serious talk. But today and moving forward in the near future Smith's job is safe.

Q: How big a loss is running back Mike Epstein to the Illini offense?

A: Huge. Not only is he a terrific runner with great burst, he is also an effective receiver and capable blocker. And the rest of the guys on the team think the world of him. Epstein is one of those put your head down and go to work kind of guys. His high school coach said he was the best he ever coached at Florida power St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale. That says a lot.

The Illini also had a nice mix with Epstein and fellow freshman Ra'Von Bonner. Nobody else is likely going to be able to fill Epstein's role. The run game was weak with Epstein and it doesn't look like it will get much better the rest of the way.

A: I covered his dad when he played at Illinois in 1989. Dad was great and Jeff Jr. is not his dad. But he has learned a lot from Sr. He doesn't have the same rocket arm, but he is very good. And like his dad, he isn't afraid to fire a pass into a tight space. Sometimes that gets him into trouble.

He is still young in the offense and will get better. Unlike his dad, he can run a little bit and doesn't mind doing it. Off the field, he is a great kid who has worked his butt off to get to this point. If he cuts his interceptions, he will be one of the best throwing quarterbacks in the Big Ten.

He is also working with less than a full set of tools at his disposal. He is missing Epstein and the offensive line is extremely young. The receivers are solid, but Mikey Dudek missed part of the Rutgers game and he is very important.

A lot of people thought the coaches waited too long to switch to George this season. I agree. Give him a few more games and he will be better.

Q: How does the Illini defense stack up after suffering multiple injuries at linebacker last week against Rutgers?

Q: What is your prediction for Saturday's final score, and how did you arrive at it?