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CHAMPAIGN – Reality bites, as they say.

One week after the Lovie-Fest when the Illini played to a sold out Memorial Stadium for the first time in five years, Illinois reminded everyone that building a winner in football is no easy task.

So as the Illini limp into a bye week with a 1-2 record and a terribly disappointing performance in a 34-10 loss to Western Michigan, they’re already circling the wagons while attempting to buy some time until the cavalry saves the day.

Those reserves, coach Lovie Smith said, will be found on the recruiting trail.

The Illini plan a couple days of practice, some time off for the players and a busy weekend for Illinois coaches on the road recruiting. It’s not all about winning this season, even though Lovie’s arrival created hope. It’s also about reality. If rebuilding the Illini with recruits signed under Beckman would be easy, Illini AD Josh Whitman wouldn’t have to spend well more than $20 million on Lovie.

This, my friends, is a long-term rebuild. That’s not an excuse. It’s just how far the Illini have slid under former coach Tim Beckman and his temporary replacement Bill Cubit, whose recruiters were essentially handcuffed by a short contract.

If there’s a message to Illini fans, Lovie said, it’s more about patience than a quick fix.

“Tell them it’s not about where we are right now,’’ Lovie said. “It would have been great if we went undefeated this year. Normally when there’s a coaching change, there’s been something going on. I didn’t expect to beat everyone 100-0. We set the bar, now we start going from here. It’s hard to win football games. Eventually, we will get this done.

“How we get this done is practicing a lot better and tightening things up. Recruiting is a part of that, too.’’

So after the Illini workout Monday and Tuesday, Illini assistants hit the road.

Coaches “going out and seeing JC’s and high school athletes is pretty important,’’ Lovie said.

By now, the Illini coaching understands there’s a need for instant help next season. There are more concerns on the roster in 2017 than just a void at quarterback. The Illini are woefully shy of playmakers on both sides of the ball.

After years of buyouts in Champaign, the Illini are once again paying the price while attempting another rebuild. Remember this unusual situation. This is three coaches in less than a year for these players, and starting over usually means starting from scratch.

After allowing 287 yards rushing against Western Michigan while only gaining three themselves, the Illini just don’t look like a bowl team. Lovie is hinting about the nationwide search for players, including immediate help from junior college prospects. The Illini will likely need some help from fifth-year senior transfers.

“Each week, we’re learning more and more about this football team,’’ Lovie said. “Some maybe just is who can and who can’t play. You have to go through the process of what we’re doing.’’

Against Western Michigan, Lovie couldn’t find much to make anyone smile. Quarterback Wes Lunt threw for 312 yards, but the Illini failed to open things up with the passing game while the offense struggled on the ground. Lovie was critical of Lunt, saying the Illini left plays out on the field in the passing game.

A defense that was expected to be improved was dominated by a Mid-American Conference foe. That’s not a good sign as the Illini head towards the nine-game Big Ten Conference season, no matter how weak the Big Ten West Division appears.

Lovie’s hiring created hope. With his experience as an NFL coach and a staff with loads of experience, Lovie lifted the Illini Nation so desperate for a winner. With basketball suffering through a record-setting dry spell and it’s coaching staff hearing the critics calling for its dismissal, Lovie’s program shoulders a big load. That’s not how it normally works at Illinois, where basketball has been king for decades.

C’mon, people. There’s more to this than a few X’s and O’s. This is not an overnight DIY project. This is more building it from the ground up.

Let’s not get carried away with the weak Big Ten West. Sure, there are chances to snag a win, but these Illini reminded everyone that Lovie’s program will take baby steps – perhaps even a step backwards in 2017 – before the real climb begins. It will be interesting how much patience exists from the bulk of the Illini cheering section. Assuredly, there are already critics on the fan boards. But that’s just off the wall thinking.

Besides perhaps Nebraska, there’s no real powerhouse in the Big Ten West. This isn’t your father’s Nebraska team. The Big Ten went after a national brand, and this one’s been falling in value since Tom Osborne retired. Otherwise, there’s vulnerability. Iowa failed to beat North Dakota State, the reigning FCS power. Wisconsin barely avoided a major upset last weekend.

“We have to step back, evaluate and decide who we want to be,’’ said Illini center Joe Spencer. “This (performance against Western Michigan) isn’t a measurement of who we are as an offense. We’ve got to fix it, look ourselves in the mirror and decide what we want to do.

“All offseason, we talked about winning the Big Ten. I still think this is a team that can win the Big Ten. Look at the Big Ten West. To get to Indianapolis isn’t way out of left field. People have had their ups and downs. If we really and fix things, who knows what happens.’’

Besides Nebraska, there’s plenty of mediocrity. The Cornhuskers are ranked No. 21 in the Sagarin Ratings. Wisconsin is No. 29 after a big win over LSU. Otherwise, there’s nothing better than No. 56. The Illini are ranked No. 84. For comparison, North Carolina checks in at No. 30 with Western Michigan sitting at No. 38.

“Most people expect to win games at home,’’ Lovie said. “We had three non-conference home games. The plan was to win more than one.’’

The first quarter of the season is complete. The message? Get comfortable. It’s going to take patience, recruiting and more patience.

Lovie provided hope. There’s no miracle on the horizon yet.

John Supinie is a columnist for Orangeandbluenews.com. During the day, he’s an Audi Brand Specialist at Green Audi in Springfield. Call or text him at 217-377-1977 if you’re looking for an Audi, Volkswagen, Toyota or preowned car. Ask for the Illini deal.