Purdue @ Illinois preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 24, 2009 ) Illinois 14, Purdue 24

Illinois has already survived the roughest part of its schedule. The rest of the season is all about highlighting its bowl resume.

The Fighting Illini will be looking to tack on another victory when they host struggling Purdue in the battle for the Cannon Trophy on Saturday.

At 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the Big Ten, Illinois certainly does not look like one of the better teams in the Big Ten. But a closer look at its schedule shows that those three setbacks were at No. 8 Missouri, against No. 10 Ohio State and at No. 5 Michigan State. The Illini held the lead in the second half of each of those contests, taking the Buckeyes down to the wire before finally falling.

That schedule has been the toughest in the country so far, according to the NCAA rankings. Illinois likely will be favored in every game the rest of the way.
The Illini took advantage of one of the weaker teams in the Big Ten last weekend, blitzing Indiana 43-13. Redshirt freshman quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase threw for 123 yards and two touchdowns and added 45 yards rushing, but it was the defense that stood out, as Illinios ran back two interceptions for touchdowns and forced five turnovers.

The defensive line stayed in the face of Indiana quarterback Ben Chappell with nine quarterback hurries and one sack, disruping the Big Ten’s most prolific passing attack.

Illinois ranks 15th nationally in points allowed at 17.7 per game, 19th in rushing yards allowed at 112.4 and 23rd in total defense under first-year coordinator Vic Koenning. The Illini ranked 96th in scoring defense last season, allowing over 30 points per game, and 91st in total defense.

Scheelhaase has been named Big Ten freshman of the week three times and is a true dual threat with 904 passing yards and 333 rushing yards on the season.
The Boilermakers (4-3, 2-1) are coming off a 49-0 loss to Ohio State last week -- the worst losing margin for the program since 1974.

It doesn’t get any easier for Purdue, which still has Wisconsin, Michigan and Michigan State on the schedule.

If the Boilermakers have any shot Saturday, they must rely on their ground game, which averages 177.7 yards. The big early deficit against Ohio State forced them to the air last week, but if Purdue can keep it close, Rob Henry and Dan Dierking can get going. The two have combined for 782 rushing yards this season.

Henry, a redshirt freshman quarterback, was forced out of the game in the second half last week due to a finger injury but is expected to play against Illinois.

Purdue won last season’s matchup, 24-14 in West Lafayette, for its fifth straight victory over Illinois. But the Illini lead the alltime series 41-38-6.