Purdue is falling apart more and more each week. After two muffed punts to start the first quarter last week, the Purdue Boilermakers quickly lost control of their football game against the Wisconsin Badgers. It was looking as though the game would enter the half with 14-6 Wisconsin lead until the Badgers drove down the field with little resistance and scored right before the half to go up 21-6. Purdue is now 1-4 take on No. 23 ranked Illinois in Week 7.
Purdue Boilermakers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Football History
Illinois and Purdue have been a historic rivalry. The first game between these two teams was all the way back in November of 1890! Since then, these two teams have battled back and forth 99 times with Purdue leading the series 48-45-6. With this being the 100th meeting, it is sure to be a chippy battle for the canon trophy.
Key Players for Purdue
Hudson Card
It’s time for Hudson Card to step up and win a game. While he has made some impressive throws this season, Card has also made some boneheaded moves. Card needs to start throwing the ball into the path of the receiver and not directly at or behind the receiver.
Card has improved his accuracy from his 58.9 percent completion last season to 63.4 percent this year. He’s thrown for 738 yards, seven touchdowns, and four interceptions this season. The issue has been a lack of receivers stepping up, outside of TE Max Klare, who has been getting double covered every game.
After bringing in multiple wide receivers from big schools like Georgia and UCLA, the current leader of the receiving room is Jahmal Edrine with 103 receiving yards in 2.5 games. Teams cannot win games when their leading receiver only has 100 yards total through multiple games.
Devin Mockobee
Devin Mockobee has been the lead running back for three years and has yet to accrue 1,000 rushing yards in a single season. Currently, he has 362 rushing yards through five games and is on pace for 869 yards this season. Seeing how interim OC Jason Simmons used him last week, he should be rushing more and will hopefully crack that 1,000 yard season.
The Defense
Defensively, the Boilermakers have been playing well this year. They just seem call it after the first three quarters in each game. Should the defense stay active and attentive and help keep this a close game, the Boilers will have a chance to pull off an upset win.
Key Players for Illinois
Luke Altmyer
Luke Altmyer has been hot and cold this season. Through five games, Altmyer has thrown for 1,047 yards with 11 touchdowns and only one interception. In Illinois’ victory over Kansas, Altmyer only passed for 192 yards without throwing a single touchdown. And against Penn State, Altmyer only had 185 passing yards with both a touchdown and an interception. Should Purdue’s secondary play their best, Altmyer could struggle against the likes of Dillon Thieneman, Kyndrich Breedlove, and Nyland Green.
Pat Bryant
Pat Bryant has been Illinois’ best receiver this season. In five games, Bryant has 342 yards and six of the team’s receiving touchdowns. The 6 foot 3 inch, 200 pound receiver has been showing just how effective he can be in the passing game. If he continues on this track, he should be on the lookout for an invitation to the Senior Bowl and getting drafted.
Purdue Boilermakers’ Route to Victory
Purdue has not played well most of this year, losing four straight matchups this season. The Boilermakers have fired their offensive coordinator midseason, with the head coach saying they’re “playing like a bad team.” Overall, it is not what fans want to see.
However, there is always hope. Purdue is on a four game win streak against the Fighting Illini, including a massive beat down 44-19 last year. If Purdue is going to have any hope of winning this game, they need to play lockdown defense, stop getting called for these ridiculous penalties, and slow down Illinois passing game while kickstarting their own passing game.
Otherwise, it’s going to be a long football game for the Purdue Boilermakers.
Hunter Greene
Hunter started writing for The League Winners in the summer of 2021. Hunter has been playing fantasy football for about a decade, starting in middle school. Now he’s a professional landscaper and avid Colts and Purdue fan.