First Look: Illinois
Here’s an early look at Purdue’s sixth opponent of the 2024 season, the Illinois Fighting Illini.
Date/Time: Saturday, October 12, 3:30 p.m. E.T.
Location: Memorial Stadium
Surface: FieldTurf
Capacity: 60,670 (tickets)
Weather: Early forecast shows a high of 85 degrees with significant breeze
2024 schedules/records: Purdue 1-4 (0-2 Big Ten), Illinois 4-1 (1-1 Big Ten)
Series notes: The Purdue Cannon will be up for grabs on Saturday as Purdue hopes to maintain possession for the fifth straight year. The recent series history strongly favors the Boilermakers, who hold a 15-4 edge in the series dating back to 2003. In the successful run, the all-time series flipped to favor Purdue, which now leads 48-45-6. The last Purdue loss in Champaign came in 2010, as Purdue took the ride back on I-74 with the Cannon in its possession each of the last six times.
TV: FS1
Early line: Illinois -18
STORYLINES TO WATCH
Rock bottom?
On paper, it feels like the 52-6 loss at Wisconsin could mark a bottoming-out point. The Boilermakers have lost their last four games by an average of 35 points per game. The immediate results didn’t look promising despite firing offensive coordinator Graham Harrell. Now, Purdue hopes to find a way to bounce back and find a way to hold onto a rivalry trophy. Can it pull off an upset in Champaign?
One thing Purdue has going for it is success in this series. Purdue has dominated this series over the past two decades, winning 15 of the last 19 meetings. Can it continue this trend against the seemingly insurmountable odds?
Bielema vs. Walters
Since Ryan Walters left Champaign for West Lafayette, the conversations between Bielema and Walters drew eyeballs. From Walters claiming that the defense was his rather than Illinois’ to social media banter, the rivalry is real. Walters got the best of his former boss in year one, as Purdue cruised past Illinois in Ross-Ade Stadium. Can it do the same this year?
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Ryan Walters on the Fighting Illini
“Illinois is playing with confidence and are playing complementary football. I have tremendous respect for their coaches. Last year didn’t go their way so I expect them to come out guns a blazin.’
Coach (Brett) B (Bielema) does a great job in bye weeks. We just have to go out and fight for four quarters.”
