First Look: Illinois
Last meeting: Purdue 13, Illinois 9 (Sept. 25, 2021 in West Lafayette)
Here’s an early look at Purdue’s tenth opponent in 2022, the Illinois Fighting Illini
Time: Saturday, November 12, Noon ET
Location: Memorial Stadium
Surface: FieldTurf
Capacity: 2022 schedules/records: Illinois 7-2 (4-2 Big Ten), Purdue 5-4 (3-3 Big Ten)
Series notes: The Cannon series stands out as one of the most competitive in Purdue’s history. The Boilers took the all-time series lead last year, clinging to a 46-45-6 advantage dating back to the first meeting in 1890. Since Jeff Brohm took over in 2017, he’s done well against Illinois, winning four of the five matchups, including last year’s 13-9 victory in Ross-Ade Stadium. Purdue holds a five-game win streak in Champaign, winning in every even year since 2010 when they head west on I-74. Overall, the Boilermakers have won 13 of the last 17 matchups in this series.
TV: ESPN2
Early line: Illinois -6
STORYLINES TO WATCH
Big Ten West implications
Despite many preseason prognosticators putting Illinois towards the bottom of the division, the Fighting Illini enter Saturday in the driver’s seat to win the Big Ten West. At 4-2 in the division, a win over Purdue would make it very likely that they earn the trip to Indianapolis from winning the West. Despite their unexpected loss to Michigan State last week, Illinois maintains a one-game lead in the division. The Fighting Illini close with Purdue, Michigan and Northwestern. Even if they lose to Michigan, winning their other two would ensure that Illinois takes the West for the first time in program history.
While Purdue does still technically have a chance to win the division, it got much more unlikely after their loss to Iowa. The Boilermakers would need to win out in addition to Iowa and Wisconsin each losing one or more times during the final three weeks. Possible? Yes. Likely? Not exactly.
Is AOC A-OK?
Purdue quarterback Aidan O’Connell’s last two performances haven’t been pretty. In the 35-24 loss to Wisconsin and the 24-3 loss to Iowa, O’Connell has thrown for just one touchdown to five interceptions. Those performances have dropped his season ratio to 15 touchdowns to 10 interceptions, which lead the Big Ten.
No, O’Connell is not solely to blame for Purdue’s offensive struggles. Outside of Charlie Jones, the receiver room continues to struggle to consistently produce. In fact, just two passes were caught by receivers not named Jones in the loss to Iowa. Against one of the nation’s strongest statistical defenses, Purdue will need to improve on Saturday.
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Fire the Cannon
The Purdue Cannon is on the line again on Saturday, as Purdue and Illinois meet for the 98th time. Lately, the series has been all Purdue. The Boilermakers have won four of the five meetings under head coach Jeff Brohm and 13 of the last 17 meetings. Purdue last dropped a game in Champaign back in 2010 under then-head coach Danny Hope. Can they keep the Cannon for another year?
Brohm on the Fighting Illini
“It is going to be hard going to their place. We have to get back to work.
“(Illinois running back) Chase Brown has done an outstanding job and their offensive line has been great. Chase is tough, he’s physical. Their quarterback (Tommy Devito) has been a great addition.
“They have an efficient style of defense with a great scheme. Their secondary has played well and has also been very efficient.”
