Purdue Opponent Preview: Illinois

Purdue enters Year Two of the Ryan Walters era looking for growth following a 4-8 debut campaign. The Boilermakers will again face one of the nation’s most demanding schedules, a daunting proposition as they hope to return to postseason play.

Throughout the summer, GoldandBlack.com will preview each of Purdue’s 2024 opponents. Today, we take a look at the Illinois Fighting Illini with the help of Bob Asmussen of The News-Gazette.

The overview:

Though the Boilermakers and Fighting Illini have battled for the Cannon since 1943, the rivalry intensified when Purdue hired Walters. Playful back-and-forths between him and Bret Bielema created a conversation about the rivalry, which Purdue easily won in 2023. Despite the Cannon residing in West Lafayette, neither program left last season pleased with the results. Neither side reached a bowl game after both winning eight games in 2022, and both enter 2024 hungry for a return to postseason play.

Name to know: offense

QB Luke Altmyer – I’m tempted to go with tailback Kaden Feagin who could be a star, but running back is a deep position at Illinois. Quarterback is not. Basically, it is Altmyer or bust. The Mississippi transfer was having a decent 2023 season, until he got knocked out of the Minnesota game with a concussion and never got back on the field. If the team has a better-than-expected season like in 2022, it will likely mean Altmyer put up big numbers while limiting his mistakes.

Name to know: defense

OLB Gabe Jacas – The star linemen from the 2023 team, Johnny Newton and Keith Randolph, are off to the NFL. If Aaron Henry’s defense hopes to keep pressure on the quarterback, it will be from a talented group of OLBs led by Jacas. He was good as a freshman before dipping a bit last season. Early on, he looked like the next Simeon Rice. Half of the former star’s sacks total, say in the 6 to 8 range, would be sufficient.

Biggest question:

Can the defense rebound? Two years ago, the unit was one of the best in the country. Of course, it helped to have three high-valued NFL draft picks, including No. 5 overall corner Devon Witherspoon. Without its safety net in the secondary, Illinois fell off defensively. The run game and the defense are supposed to be Bielema’s calling cards. One looks to be in good shape this season, but figuring out how to stop people could be a real challenge.

Key Newcomer

CB Terrance Brooks – He started for a College Football Playoff team (Texas) and has the size and skill set to be an All-Big Ten player. Illinois needs Brooks to control the receiver across from him without requiring much help. It would be all the better if he could provide a few interceptions and chip in with run support.

Early outlook on Purdue vs. Illinois

Purdue will make the short trek west on I-74 to Champaign, where it has won six consecutive matchups in this rivalry. The Boilermakers last lost in Memorial Stadium in 2010 under Danny Hope. Though neither team projects to compete towards the top of the conference this fall, the result could loom large as each team fights to reach the six-win mark.

2024 expectations

Every time you think the team is going one direction, it veers violently the other. The 2023 team was supposed to contend for the Big Ten West title, but it instead didn’t qualify for a bowl. It is a long-standing pattern that frustrates Illinois fans, who haven’t seen their favorite team put together consecutive winning seasons since 2010-11. And that coach, Ron Zook,  got fired for his trouble. The schedule is difficult, with home games against Kansas and Michigan and road trips to Oregon and
Penn State. A bowl game would be an accomplishment, but my guess is the team falls just short and goes 5-7.

2024 Purdue football schedule

Date	Opponent
Aug. 31	Indiana State, Noon ET, BTN
Sept. 7	OFF
Sept. 14	Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS
Sept. 21	at Oregon State, 8:30 p.m. ET, CW
Sept. 28	Nebraska
Oct. 5	at Wisconsin
Oct. 12	at Illinois
Oct. 18	Oregon, 8 p.m. ET, FOX (Friday)
Oct. 26	OFF
Nov. 2	Northwestern
Nov. 9	at Ohio State
Nov. 16	Penn State
Nov. 22	at Michigan State, 8 p.m. ET, FOX (Friday)
Nov. 30	at Indiana

Previous previews: Indiana State | Notre Dame | Oregon State | Nebraska | Wisconsin