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First Look: Illinois

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NCAA Football: Western Michigan at Illinois
Sep 13, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema on the sidelines during the first half against the Western Michigan Broncos at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Here’s an early look at Purdue’s fifth opponent of the 2025 season, the Illinois Fighting Illini:

Date/Time: Saturday, October 4, Noon EDT

Location: Ross-Ade Stadium

Surface: Bermuda Grass

Capacity: 61,441 (tickets)

Weather: The early forecast shows a high of 72 degrees with partly cloudy skies

2025 schedules/rosters: Purdue schedule | Purdue roster | Illinois schedule | Illinois roster

Series notes: The 101th meeting between the two will take place with the Cannon Trophy on the line. Purdue leads the series 48-46-6 with a strong record in recent years. The Boilermakers have won 15 of the last 20 meetings between the two, but Illinois will hope to retain possession of the Cannon after a wild 50-49 overtime win last season. Since taking over in 2021, Bret Bielema is 1-3 against Purdue while at Illinois.

TV: BTN

Early line: Illinois -9.5, O/U 55.5

STORYLINES TO WATCH

Highs and lows in Champaign

Illini fans came into 2025 with high expectations. Illinois finished with a 10-3 record last season after a bowl victory over South Carolina, and several key players returned to Champaign, including star quarterback Luke Altmyer.

Confidence was high following a 3-0 start, which included a somewhat misleading 26-point victory over Duke. That confidence came crashing down, however, when Indiana hung 63 points on the board in a 63-10 thumping of Illinois two weeks ago.

But, last week, as a touchdown home underdog, Illinois made a field goal as time expired to take down USC. The Illini now sit with a 4-1 record and are ranked 22nd in this week’s AP Poll. Can Illinois finish the season strong and flirt with a double-digit win total once again?

Defensive struggles

During its bye week, Purdue certainly searched for answers on the defensive side of the football. Notre Dame did whatever it wanted on offense, putting 56 points on the scoreboard. And, had the outcome been in question, the Irish could have scored even more.

The loss in South Bend marked the second game in a row where Purdue did not force a punt. Opposing offenses haven’t punted in 24 possessions against Purdue’s defense. The last punt forced came in the third quarter of the victory against Southern Illinois in week two. While Purdue did force its first turnover of the season in South Bend, it needs major improvement for the Boilermakers to return to the win column.

Browne’s success

Ryan Browne made his first start for Purdue last October in this game. After a slow first half, he shone as he led Purdue to a furious comeback to force overtime. Browne finished the day 18-26 passing for 297 yards and three scores. He also led Purdue in rushing, taking 17 carries for 118 yards. Purdue fell just short in the 50-49 defeat, but he turned heads with his performance.

Through four games in 2025, he’s shown many of the same flashes he did in Memorial Stadium last October. Browne has completed 63% of his passes for an average of 259 yards per game. One area to clean up? Interceptions. He’s thrown a pick in each of the last three games, totaling five on the season. If Purdue wants to pull upsets, it needs cleaner performances from the quarterback position.

Odom on the Fighting Illini

An update will be provided following Odom’s Monday press conference during game week.

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