Illinois at Purdue: 9/25/21 College Football Picks and Prediction
Photo by Nikos Frazier / Journal & Courier via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Purdue Boilermakers (2-1) vs Illinois Fighting Illini (1-3)
Game Info: Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 3:30 pm (Ross-Ade Stadium)
Betting Odds: Purdue Boilermakers -11 -- Over/Under: 53 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Illinois Fighting Illini will travel to Ross-Ade Stadium to take on the Purdue Boilermakers this Saturday afternoon in College Football action.
The Illinois Fighting Illini lost their 3rd straight game and dropped to 1-3 on the season after being defeated by the Maryland Terrapins, 20-17, this past Friday night. Illinois led by a 17-10 margin early in the 4th quarter on a 30-yard TD run by Casey Washington, however, the Fighting Illini could not hang on for the win as Nebraska was able to win it on a 38-yard FG as time expired. Illinois won the turnover battle by a 2-1 margin, however, was outgained by Nebraska by a 481-335 margin in the loss. Leading the way for the Fighting Illini was RB Joshua McCray who had 60 rushing yards & 1 TD on 8 carries.
On the season, Illinois is averaging 22.8 ppg on 352.5 total yards per game (207.8 passing yds/g; 144.8 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Illinois has been led by their rushing attack, led by Reggie Love III (34 att, 146 yards), Chase Brown (26 att, 122 yards, TD), Josh McCray (20 att, 113 yards, TD), & Mike Epstein (25 att, 107 yards, TD). Epstein was out last week with an undisclosed injury and currently his status for this matchup is unknown. QB Brandon Peters returned last week and comes into this matchup completing 43.3% of his passes for 220 yards, 0 TD, & 1 INT. The top receiving threats for the Fighting Illini have been Isaiah Williams (21 rec, 230 yards, TD), Deuce Spann (4 rec, 117 yards, 2 TD), & Daniel Barker (8 rec, 90 yards, 2 TD).
Defensively, Illinois is allowing their opponents to average 30.3 ppg on 352.5 total yards per game (207.8 passing yds/g; 144.8 rushing yds/g).
The Purdue Boilermakers dropped to 2-1 on the season after being defeated by the 12th ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 27-13, this past Saturday. Purdue trailed by just a 17-13 margin heading into the 4th quarter, however, the offense struggled down the stretch and could not fight back after a Kyren Williams 51-yard TD run gave the Fighting Irish a 14-point lead with just 6:05 left in regulation. Purdue outgained Notre Dame by a 348-343 margin, however, lost the turnover battle by a 2-0 margin in the loss. Leading the way for the Boilermakers was QB Jake Plummer who completed 25 of 36 passes for 187 yards & 1 TD.
On the season, Purdue is averaging 30.7 ppg on 437.0 total yards per game (326.3 passing yds/g; 110.7 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Purdue has been led by QB Jack Plummer who has completed 72.2% of his passes for 745 yards & 7 TD. The top receiving threats for Plummer and the Boilermakers have been David Bell (21 rec, 319 yards, 3 TD), Payne Durham (17 rec, 203 yards, 3 TD), Jackson Anthrop (16 rec, 151 yards), & Mershawn Rice (6 rec, 69 yards, TD). Leading the way for the Purdue backfield has been the trio of King Doerue (27 att, 123 yards, TD), Dylan Downing (23 att, 92 yard), Zander Horvath (23 att, 89 yards, TD). Purdue won’t be with Zander Horvath as he is out 4-8 weeks with a broken fibula.
Defensively, Purdue is holding their opponents to an average of 16.0 ppg on 309.7 total yards per game (202.3 passing yds/g; 107.3 rushing yds/g).
The Fighting Illini are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall and just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win. The Boilermakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win and 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games in September.
Illinois did a decent job of keeping Maryland off the scoreboard in their recent loss, however, this is still not a very good Fighting Illini defense and they have really struggled against opposing passing attacks as they come into this game ranked just 124th in College Football in passing defense. Jack Plummer is one of the better QB’s in the country that should be able have plenty success at home and as I think the Boilermakers defense will give the Fighting Illini trouble, I think Purdue wins this one by two TD’s and covers this spread. Good Luck!
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Brett’s Pick Purdue Boilermakers -11
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
