Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/391840
GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 25, EXPRESS 6 • 13 MATCHUP PREVIEW: Purdue vs. Illinois ADVANTAGE? PURDUE PASSING GAME VS. ILLINOIS PASS DEFENSE PLAYER TO WATCH ADVANTAGE? After showing some life the two games prior, Purdue's passing game regressed terribly in the Big Ten opener vs. Iowa, with quarterback Danny Etling struggling to the point the Boilermakers had virtually no chance to score during the second half of a close game. The job would again seem up for grabs. Illinois' defense is not a good one, but it does have effective edge rushers and a diverse blitz package. Darrell Hazell said wide receiver B.J. Knauf will be a bigger part of the game plan against Illinois for an offense that needs to find more playmakers. PURDUE RUNNING GAME VS. ILLINOIS RUSH DEFENSE The Boilermaker run game hasn't been clicking to its full potential lately, but passing- game woes have at least something to do with that. That said, Illinois' run defense is porous. Purdue doesn't have the capacity to do to the Illini what Nebraska just did — 458 rushing yards and five touchdowns — but should be good enough to be effective. Watch out for instability on the offensive line, though. That could be an issue. Now Purdue's No. 1 back, Akeem Hunt may be its most impor- tant all-around contributor on offense as well. The Boilermakers need him to play well. ILLINOIS PASSING GAME VS. PURDUE PASS DEFENSE This is the game's key matchup, with Purdue's improving secondary and pass rush facing the most high-powered drop-back game they've seen so far. Assuming QB Wes Lunt plays, as expected, the Boilermakers will be facing the Big Ten's leading passer. It will be a big test for a defense that's suddenly making a lot of plays. There's been some modest garbage-time stat-padding involved, but first-year QB Wes Lunt is throwing for 309 yards per game and has guided a few second-half comebacks. Seems like he's legit. ILLINOIS RUNNING GAME VS. PURDUE RUSH DEFENSE So much depends on how Purdue fares against the pass because Illinois throws to set up the run. But the Boilermakers have been faring well lately against opponents' ground attacks. Illinois doesn't emphasize the run primarily, and hasn't been terribly productive when it has, but will look to get back Josh Ferguson involved in a number of ways. In a homecoming game of sorts, linebacker Sean Robinson faces the Illini trending upward. He's having a very, very good season for Purdue and finally looks every bit like a Big Ten line- backer. SPECIAL TEAMS Illinois has an excellent return man in V'Angelo Bentley. Purdue's kickoff coverage has been poor. Look out. Otherwise, Purdue's return game is strong; its punting has been good; and Illinois' had some difficulties kicking field goals. If the offense doesn't start moving the ball, Thomas Meadows will keep having chances to stand out like he did against Iowa. That's not ideal for anyone, obviously. BOILERS PREDICTION ILLINI You have to score to win, and right now, Purdue's offense looks broken. Illinois, with Lunt back under center after a week on the sideline, can't stop anybody, but it can and will score. Can the Boilermaker offense keep up? 27 17 EVEN EVEN