2020-21 Season Preview: Illinois Fighting Illini
By: Dakota Isgrigg | July 21st | @dakota_isgrigg | @BoilerInTexas
We are officially on the countdown to the 2020-21 Purdue football season! [Even though there are still a lot of details to be figured out because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems as though the precautions taken in early 2020 will allow us to have college football in some form or fashion.] Even though the American public failed to heed the warnings of scientists/professionals, as of now, football is still going to happen. Even though as of July 9th the Big Ten announced that because of the resurgence in COVID-19 cases in the US, the Big Ten will have a conference game only football schedule, for now. So we here at Boiler In Texas will continue as if the season will be taking place and Purdue will be suiting up this fall, regardless of the actions of some Americans. So over the weeks leading up to the presumptive start to the season, we will be going week by week and taking a look at the season for our Boilermakers and their opponents every week.
Purdue 2020 Football Schedule:
9/5: @Nebraska
9/12: Memphis - Cancelled
9/19: Air Force - Cancelled
9/26: @Boston College - Cancelled
10/10: Rutgers
10/17: @Illinois
10/24: @Michigan
10/31: Northwestern
11/7: @Minnesota
11/14: Wisconsin
11/21: Iowa
11/28: @Indiana
Purdue and Illinois have shared part in some interesting games over the last few years as it seems like home field advantage hasn’t meant much. Purdue has won the last 4 on the road at Illinois and the Illini have won three of the last four in West Lafayette. The all-time series has also closed ranks in recent seasons even becoming even at 44-44 before Purdue’s loss last season broke it. The game last season was a miserable day all around and Illinois was able to take advantage of a very poor operating day by the Purdue offense and left Ross-Ade stadium with a win.
Illinois 2020-21 Football Schedule
9/4: Illinois State - Cancelled
9/12: Uconn - Cancelled
9/19: Bowling Green - Cancelled
10/3: @Rutgers
10/10: @Nebraska
10/17: Purdue
10/24: Minnesota
10/31: @Wisconsin
11/7: Iowa
11/14: @Indiana
11/21: Ohio State
11/28: @Northwestern
Illinois had a bit of a resurrection last season after starting a bit slow out of the gate before turning it on midway through the season and making a bowl game in Lovie’s 5th season in Champaign. They started the season with wins against moribund Akron and at Uconn before losing to the same Eastern Michigan team that upended Purdue in 2018. After that loss they fell in their next three games against Nebraska, Minnesota, and Michigan. There were signs of life as they flashed potential in the Michigan game, and that potential showed in the result of their next game. In their next game Illinois pulled off a shocking upset of then #8 Wisconsin at home. They followed that up with wins @Purdue, home vs. Rutgers, and on the road to beat Michigan State. Bowl eligibility had been achieved and Illini fans were bowling again.
Illinois Offense
The Fighting Illini were not a very strong offense last season, at least from a numbers perspective. They finished the season 115th in total offense and scored just under 27 points-per-game last year. For the passing numbers, the passing offense finished 105th (185ypg), and the rushing offense produced 144 ypg to go with it. They lose Reggie Corbin to the NFL after he rushed for 675 yards and 7 touchdowns, but fortunately they do return 4 of their starters on the offensive line which should help whoever gets the nod at running back.
Brandon Peters: QB
Peters should lead the Illini offense once again after throwing for 1,884 yards and 18 TD’s against 8 interceptions. The former Michigan transfer injected some life into the offense at times and fans are expecting more from him in 2020.
Running back
After losing Reggie Corbin to the League, the running back spot seems to be wide-open with Ra’von Bonner and Mike Epstein as the top candidates to take the starting spot. Whoever gets the nod will have some expectations to produce as Illinois has shown that they are more than willing to just pound the ball on the ground.
Receivers
Brandon Peters will have a wealth of receivers to throw to in 2020. Top receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe returns after leading the team with 33 receptions for 634 yards and 9 TD’s. Donny Navaro also returns after a decent season racking up 27 catches for 345 yards and 2 TD’s. Then lastly, there are a pair of transfers in Brian Hightower (Miami, Fl) and Luke Ford (Georgia) who are expected to play significant roles in the offense as well.
The Illinois offense, while on paper, wasn’t the most impressive last season, but still did enough to take down the likes of Wisconsin and Michigan state on the road. They return a lot of the productive pieces from a year ago which should help the offense take a step forward in 2020. When they line up against the Purdue defense, I believe that it will come down to whether or not Purdue can control the run game. The defensive line and linebackers will need to play solid in their roles and gaps to ensure the Illinois running back doesn’t have a big day. If they can do that and force the offense into passing, I believe that the new Purdue 3-4 base defense will do better against the pass.
Illinois Defense
The Illinois defense in 2019 was a moderately okay defense as they gave up a little over 26 points-per-game and right around 408 yards of total offense per game. They finished in the lower half of the conference but well above the bottom tier defenses like Rutgers, Maryland, and Purdue. Lovie Smith will definitely be looking to put a more productive defense on the field in 2020.
Linebackers
Lovie has a difficult job immediately in the need to replace Dele Harding who finished with an insane 153 tackles last season. Leading the middle of the defense is Jake Hansen along with a Washington transfer Milo Eifer. The pair should be a solid foundation to build the defense around in 2020.
Secondary
The defensive secondary will be led by Sydney Brown, who finished 2019 second on the team in tackles with 88 to go with 3 interceptions. Joining Brown they have Nate Hobbs (67 tackles, 1 pick) and Tony Adams (39 tackles, 2 picks). The experience returning in the secondary will be invaluable and Illinois should have high expectations for this group.
Defensive Line
Last but not least, the big boys up front. The Illini defensive line is in full on rebuild mode after a disappointing 2019 outing. One of the only names of note is Isaiah Gay who ended 2019 with 27 tackles and a sack, but you have to think that the Illinois coaches are looking at anyone and everyone. They will probably focus more on generating more of a pass rush in order to put more pressure on opposing QB’s.
The Illinois defense is a bit of a mixed bag with the different levels of returning production among the different position groups. As a defense they are surely looking to be more productive in pass rush in 2020 and generating pressure on the opposing quarterbacks. Looking at the Purdue match ups, the lack of a pass rush bodes well for the Boilermakers who will look to pass early and often. If the Illini front can’t generate pressure and the Purdue offensive line can keep the quarterback from being hit, Purdue looks to have an advantage with all of the weapons they have at receiver.
Illinois Special Teams
the Illinois special teams return 3/4ths of their special teams group in 2020. Kicker James McCourt returns to handle the kicking duties after going 13-19 last season with a long of 57 yards. At Punter, Blake Hayes returns after putting up a very respectable 44 yard per punt average a year ago. Then in the returning duties, punt returner Jordan Holmes returns looking to build on a 7.3 yards-per-return average from 2019. The last spot is kick returner, and Illinois will have to find a new man for the job with the departure of Dre Brown.
Game Outlook
The Illinois game has routinely been one of those games that Purdue needs to win in order to have success in the win column in a year. It has also shown itself as one of the more intriguing games on Purdue’s schedule as you never know what is going to happen. It has been a series where home field advantage hasn’t mattered much and the visiting team has found more success over the last few seasons. With the loss of the non-conference games, and the current uncertainty surrounding what kind of postseason play will be in 2020, these games now matter most. Purdue has shown an ability to go into Champaign and win, the most recent being in 2018 where Purdue pounded the Illini 46-7. Purdue even found a way to win with Darrell Hazell at the helm. I believe that the Purdue offense is better than the Illinois offense based solely on the names Rondale Moore and David Bell (there are plenty more names I could bring up as well). The issue that could arise is the defensive match up for Purdue, it has been a couple of seasons since Purdue has put up an above average defense. If they can find a way to make the new defensive scheme work, and they can get enough stops in the game I like Purdue’s chances.
Score Prediction
The Illinois game has always been an important game on Purdue’s schedule. Usually a more even match up that provides Purdue a solid chance at Big Ten wins and this season will be no different. Mix in Purdue’s weird ability to win on the road at Illinois and I believe that Purdue will come out ahead in this one although I think it will be close.
Score Prediction: Purdue 31, Illinois 27
Comment below on how you feel about Purdue’s chances to get the cannon back?
As Always, Boiler Up, Hammer Down, Hail Purdue!
