Purdue football at Illinois: 1st and 10
WEST LAFAYETTE – As we start the week, 10 storylines to track as Purdue visits Illinois in a key showdown to decide the Big Ten West title:
➤ This is the last chance for the Boilermakers to win the division. They need help even with a victory, but this is it. Illinois remains in the best spot to claim the championship. Purdue must win out and would need a loss from Wisconsin and Iowa to finish in the top spot. The Badgers and Hawkeyes play this weekend.
➤ After facing two of the top defenses in the Big Ten, how will Purdue’s offense handle the Fighting Illini, who have ranked near the top in the league most of the season? Illinois is allowing 10.4 points, which is No. 1 nationally.
➤ Can the Boilermakers avoid falling behind again early? It was 21-0 at Wisconsin. It was 17-0 against Iowa. The last time Purdue played with a lead was against Nebraska.
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➤ If a freshman running back is going to gain 200 yards against the Boilermakers, what will Chase Brown do? Ten straight 100-yard games, including 136 in the loss to Michigan State. Brown ranks first nationally with 1,344 rushing yards but second in the country averaging 149.3.
➤ Is there anything that can help the secondary? It seems like a lost cause at this point in the season because the coaching staff has tried every option. There’s no one else to put in the lineup. Cam Allen lost his starting job at safety. If Iowa wanted to keep throwing, it would’ve put up big numbers. The Illini have a more dangerous passing attack led by Tommy DeVito, a transfer from Syracuse. He’s 70 of 91 with five touchdowns and no interceptions in the last three games. In fact, DeVito hasn’t thrown a pick since Sept. 10 against Virginia.
➤ Is Aidan O’Connell healthy or going through a bad stretch? He completed only 46.5% of his passes against the Hawkeyes and took several hard hits. Six straight games with an interception, and five in the last two losses. Purdue needs O’Connell to win this week and beyond. Austin Burton replaced O’Connell on the last drive.
➤ Saturday’s loss snapped a streak of 38 consecutive games of Purdue scoring at least one touchdown in the red zone. The Boilermakers had first-and-goal from the 2-yard line late in the first half but opted for three straight passes. Purdue has enjoyed good success running the ball in the red zone this season with 14 rushing touchdowns. Illinois has given up six red zone rushing TDs this season.
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➤ Is Brohm considering a change at punter? Brendan Cropsey replaced Jack Ansell in the fourth quarter. The wind was difficult to manage all day. Ansell averaged 31.3 yards on three punts in the first quarter into the wind, but Iowa didn’t take advantage of good field position. He had a 59-yarder with the wind, which forced Iowa to start from the 9-yard line.
➤ Will the offense involve more receivers and running backs than Charlie Jones? Jones has been a tremendous addition to the Boilermakers, but they need balance in the passing game. A more telling stat is Jones has a total of 27 yards after the catch in the last two games on 21 receptions. A product of the defenses or the inability to get away from defenders due to his injuries?
➤ What happens if Purdue loses to Illinois? Will the Boilermakers be motivated to finish out the season and become bowl eligible against Northwestern or Indiana?
Mike Carmin covers Purdue sports for the Journal & Courier and USA Today Sports Network. Email mcarmin@gannett.com and follow on Twitter and Instagram @carmin_jc
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue football at Illinois: Big Ten West championship
