Illinois Football has certainly found themselves with lots of questions surrounding the less than desired start to the 2023 season. For some positive light to start, the Illini (2-2) are coming off a Week 3 win over Tom Herman’s FAU Owls. The Illini were able to rattle out 23 unanswered to give them the 23-17 go ahead. A W is a W, but not quite the get right game that Illinois was hoping to have versus a non-power 5 opponent at home.
We spring forward into week five, and the Illini are now set to take on the 8 remaining in-conference matchups scheduled for 2023. To kick things off in Big Ten fashion, a border battle… with your Former Defensive Coordinator Ryan Walters, and the Purdue Boilermakers.
Walters and his struggling Purdue Boilermakers are currently 1-3 on the season, and are in the same boat as Illinois, when looking to find footing. Their lone win comes at the fate of the Virginia Tech Hokies, who are in even worse shape over in the ACC. Certainly not the results Walters, or the Purdue fan base was hoping to have up to this point in the season. Based on the situation, and the competitive nature surrounding this matchup, as well as the urgency at hand for both teams, you can rest assured that this Purdue team sees Illinois as a juicy opportunity, just as much as Illinois does Purdue.
Illinois Vs Purdue is always a tough head to head battle in the West, and with so much animosity, it’s sure to be a show. You can stream the Illini vs Purdue matchup exclusively on Peacock at 2:30pm on Saturday.
OFFENSE
Purdue has an average of 22.3 points per game, and saw their best productions vs Fresno State in a 35-39 loss in West Lafayette. The offense is led by Transfer Quarterback Hudson Card, who currently has 1,027 yards passing, and a 3-3 Touchdown to INT ratio. Certainly not a killer start to the season for Card, but as life goes, its going to take some time for Hudson to settle. He is certainly one of the more talented quarterbacks in the Big Ten West, and needs to be respected a such by the Illini defense, despite the rough go early on. Card has the skill set, and when he finds a rhythm, will be a dangerous passer. Illinois just cannot allow that to be vs their defense. This will be a massive opportunity for the Illini defense to step up, and get some momentum going, vs a QB who does have the skills, but has not yet found his groove. The backfield is led by Devin Mockobee, who has been a killer in the Big Ten west. Mockobee has currently rushed for 212 yards, and has two touchdowns on the season. Certainly someone that could make Illinois linebackers pay if he gets second level, but getting second level will be the question. The Purdue OL has struggled early to protect Card at times, and has led to him fumbling in the pocket, as well as taking numerous sacks. The receiving core for Purdue has talent, and can be a threat with Illinois secondary situation. Deion Burks, TJ Sheffield, and Abdur-Rahmaan Yaseen have all been solid thus far as a unit, but have not seen the scoring production needed for this offense to succeed. Deion Burks claims all scores in the WR room for Boilermakers with 3 to himself.
Certainly not a killer start to the season Offensively, but believe it or not Purdue’s defense has been the issue for the Boilers.
DEFENSE
A Ryan Walters/Kevin Kane struggling defense is… new to Illini faithful.
Kane-Walters Defense is currently giving up 32.3 points per game, and with a 22.3 ppg offensive average, Purdue is really setting themselves up to struggle big time. The Front 7 for Purdue has struggles mightily, similar to Illinois, to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks. In fact, the QB run game has been a nightmare for this Purdue D, and players like Tanner Mordecai have taken full advantage. You can expect that there will be some designs for Altmyer to turn his wheels on as well, as we have seen him a few times this season, including a long touchdown run vs Kansas. If the Illini Offensive line can have a solid outing, Illinois should win this game. The Purdue offense is not shaping up to drop a ton of points on anyone, and if the Illini can get second level on the struggling Purdue front 7, they can have a big day. Reggie Love and Josh McCray could certainly have big days, and it is a great chance to the the run game going with some momentum. The Boilers secondary is scrappy, but struggles with crossing routes, and players like Isaiah Williams, Pat Bryant, Hank Beatty and others will have opportunities for big plays. The Purdue defense has given up a lot of those thus far in 2023, and Illinois could certainly be the beneficiary of some Offensive mojo.
Prediction
Overall, Illinois is the better team, and is in a better position to win this game, but it’s going to come down to which Illini team shows up in west Lafayette. If the Illini struggle once again with turnovers and excessive unnecessary penalties, this game will be another that comes down to the wire, that frankly shouldn’t. There is lot of new at Purdue, and Illinois should have the upper hand, that is if Illinois is not their own biggest enemy.
Illini 27 -Purdue 17
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