Following the Boilermakers' most decisive road loss since 2011, Purdue (2-2 overall, 0-1 Big Ten) takes its struggling football team on the road to the only Big Ten venue it has had success during the Darrell Hazell Era. The Boilermakers face Illinois (1-3, 0-1) in a stadium it posted a 38-27 victory in 2014 despite being a 10.5-point underdog in that contest.
For now, oddsmakers have made the Boilermakers are just an eight-point 'dog for the 3:30 p.m. kickoff on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The Homecoming game will be televised by BTN. Plenty of tickets are available.
Purdue roster | Purdue Schedule/Results
Illinois Roster | Illinois Schedule/Results
Here are three things you should know about Illinois:
1. The Illini program made a step forward last week in a loss
After being drubbed at home against North Carolina and Western Michigan, first-year coach Lovie Smith used a bye week to re-calibrate things on his team. It worked for three quarters on Saturday at Nebraska, as the visitors led 16-10 going into the final quarter.
The Cornhuskers woke up in time to score 21 unanswered points in the final period to rally to a 31-16 victory.
"There are no morale victories," Smith said after the loss. "But we did take steps forward as a program. We are excited to get on the practice field this week."
2. Purdue will face a stable of running backs again this week
Purdue fans might remember in last year's embarrassing 48-14 loss to Illinois that freshman Ke'Shawn Vaughn gashed Purdue for 180 yards on just 16 carries.
Vaughn is still second on the Illini in rushing but was benched last week against the Cornhuskers. Vaughn only got one touch last week as Reggie Corbin and Kendrick Foster combined for 118 yards on just 16 attempts. Senior quarterback Wes Lunt has been under fire a bit, but has six touchdowns and just one interception.
3. Expect Illinois to bring pressure
One look at the Maryland film, and one can surmise that the Illini will try to disrupt the Boilermakers' passing game.
Illinois hasn't been great in this department with 13 sacks in four games and didn't sack Nebraska's Tommy Armstrong last week, but expect them to be aggressive this week. The Illini rush defense is susceptible to big plays, giving up 203 yards against the Cornhuskers. Illinois forced two turnovers but only could convert them to field goals in crucial parts of the game.
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