Time: 3:30 p.m.
TV/radio: ESPN, WSCR-AM 670.
Line: Purdue by 14.
Records: Illinois 1-4, 0-1; Purdue 3-1, 0-0.
Series: Illinois leads 41-33-6.
Last meeting: Illinois won 38-31 in overtime on Oct. 12, 2002 in Champaign.
Team comparison
CATEGORY ILL PUR
More Top Picks Best Titanium Watches For Men
Rushing offense 115.6 149.8
Passing offense 268.8 224.3
Total offense 384.4 374.0
Scoring offense 22.2 31.0
Rushing defense 153.8 55.3
Passing defense 195.0 237.5
Total defense 348.8 292.7
Scoring defense 23.8 13.5
%%
%%
Illinois outlook: Although there’s a significant disparity, the statistics suggest the underdog Illini have a shot. They are averaging 384.4 yards to Purdue’s 374.0 and have converted 49.4 percent of their third-down plays vs. Purdue’s 34.3. Coach Ron Turner expects to get a lot more playing time out of fullback Carey Davis, whose time was limited last week when he returned after missing three games because of a staph infection.
Purdue outlook: Boilermakers coach Joe Tiller says the Illini have “the most sophisticated offense there is in the conference,” and defensively “of the teams we’ve played they present the greatest problem schematically–they play multiple defenses.” Purdue quarterback Kyle Orton’s primary receivers have had nagging minor injuries–John Standeford is recovering from a muscle knot in the groin area and Taylor Stubblefield from an ankle problem.