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First Look: Illinois

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Here's an early look at Purdue's fourth opponent in 2021, the Illinois Fighting Illini

Time: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET

Location: Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette Ind.

Surface: Natural Grass

Capacity: 57,236

2021 Schedule/2020 records: Illinois 1-3, 1-1)/(2-6. 2-6 in 2020); Purdue (2-1) /(2-4, 2-4)

Series notes: Thanks to Purdue's 31-24 win in Memorial Stadium last season, the all-time series is tied once again: 45-45-6. Purdue has won seven of the last 10 meetings but has dropped three of four in Ross-Ade Stadium. Jeff Brohm is 3-1 versus Illinois while the Illini' first-year coach Bret Bielema went 6-0 vs. the Boilermakers during his tenure at Wisconsin from 2005-12. No Boilermaker team scored more than 20 points vs. the Badgers during Bielema's time in Madison.

Since 1943, Purdue and Illinois have played for the Cannon Trophy. The Boilermakers have a 37-30-2 record in trophy contests.

TV: BTN

Early line: Purdue -10

Weather: Sunny, High 74, Low 48

Some early storylines:

Illinois' Peters will likely start at quarterback, but how long will his leash be?

Brandon Peters had rough outing his first game back from an injury sustained in the season-opener against Nebraska. He was sacked six times and completed just 10-of-26 passes for 185 yards and an interception. Rutgers transfer Artur Sitkowski has put up decent numbers in three games. One has to wonder if coach Bret Bielema will go back to Sitkowski.

Bielema talked a number of super seniors into remaining for another year but has already shown a desire to have the younger guys get their chance. That thought process has been expedited during Illinois' current three-game skid.

Which team will be the healthiest come Saturday?

Purdue may be without three of its best players come last Saturday afternoon. Purdue's most productive running back, Zander Horvath, is out, the status of top cover corner, Cory Trice, is unknown and star receiver David Bell's status seems doubtful after suffering an apparent head injury late in Saturday's loss at Notre Dame.

Illinois has injuries of its own to contend with. In Friday night's 20-17 loss to Maryland, running back Joshua McCray ended up in the hospital. Chase Brown, who also left the game with injury, two combined with McCray for 117 yards rushing on 22 carries.McCray's 38-yard touchdown run in the third quarter was one of the highlights of the game.

The Bouceback

It will be important for Purdue to keep its focus in this one. Post Notre Dame game letdowns have been a staple over the years and the Boilermakers put a lot of mental energy into the contest in South Bend. With injuries piling up, Purdue will get the opportunity to show whether it can be resilient while showing that toughness that Brohm and Company hope is in large supply on his team.

Illinois was the talk of the Big Ten with its Week 0 win over Nebraska. Since then, the Illini have struggled defensively in its three losses and are yielding over 481 yards per game. Even in Friday's 20-17 home loss to Maryland, which the Terps had to connect on a 32-yard field goal as time expired, Illinois gave up nearly 500 yards.

Brohm on Illinois

"They are much better than the were last year. They lead Maryland late in the fourth quarter and have a win over Nebraska. We will have our hands full.

"They give you a lot of different looks, and they changed it up against Maryland trying to play the pass more. Offensively, they will try to run the football and play physical."

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