Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Purdue Boilermakers Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

Sept. 22, 2021

Eytan Shander
VI College Football Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

It’s still too early in the College Football season to talk about the post-season. But for Purdue, every week is a reminder of how each win builds towards bowl eligibility. If the Boilermakers are serious about playing in a bowl game, then they must take Illinois seriously, handing them an emphatic beatdown.

Score Prediction: Purdue 41, Illinois 17

Best Bet: Purdue -11

Best Bet: Over 53

Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Purdue Boilermakers Predictions

Illinois won’t have the firepower to stick with Purdue on either side of the ball, especially when Purdue throws the ball. This is a blowout waiting to happen as all signs point to the home team having their way in the air. The Illini are one of the worst defensive secondaries in all of college. Thinking of how easy Purdue moved the ball against UConn, the Boilermakers should have the same success against Illinois.

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Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Purdue Boilermakers Betting Odds

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Purdue is just an 11-point home favorite against an Illinois team that’s 1-3, with a 1-2 conference record.

The total for this game is currently at 53 points. Purdue’s lone game at Ross-Ade Stadium hit 51 total points involving Oregon State.

Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Purdue Boilermakers Betting Resources

Matchup: Big 10
Date: Saturday, September 25, 2021
Venue: Ross-Ade Stadium
Location: West Lafayette, Indiana
TV-Time: BTN - 3:30 p.m. ET

Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

SU: 1-3
ATS: 2-2
O/U: 1-3
ATS - Home: 2-1
ATS - Away: 0-1

The Illini just haven’t been able to piece anything together this year, and there’s zero indication things change Saturday at Purdue. The major issue is defense, Illinois is giving up a whopping 30.3 PPG and 481 YPG. Bret Bielema is going to need a miracle to keep this one close. The only thing in their favor is the home team has dropped eight of the last nine in this series.

Purdue Boilermakers Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

SU: 2-1
ATS: 2-1
O/U: 0-3
ATS - Home: 1-0
ATS - Away: 1-1

It may be hard to keep focus when you are pounding a team into the ground, but for Purdue this game represents a continued path to a bowl game. They also should be able to make every single pass. Illinois’ offense shouldn’t prove much of an issue to solve, so the 11-point line seems short. They will put out multiple backs against Purdue, but nobody has stepped up nor been given the No. 1 role.

The Purdue Boilermakers have won four of their last six home games. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Illinois Fighting Illini

Record: 1-3
VI Ranking: 74
Points Scored: 91
Points Allowed: 121
PS/G: 22.8 (103rd)
PA/G: 130.2 (104th)

Inside the Stats - Purdue Boilermakers

Record: 2-1
VI Ranking: 62
Points Scored: 92
Points Allowed: 48
PS/G: 30.7 (63rd)
PA/G: 16 (27th)

Key Players to Watch

ILL: Isaiah Williams - WR (21 catches, 230 yards, TD)
PUR: Jack Plummer - QB (70/97, 745 yards, 7 TD)
PUR: David Bell - WR (21 catches, 319 yards, 3 TD)

Injuries

ILL: Mike Epstein - RB (Undisclosed-Out)
ILL: C.J. Hart, Jr. - LB (Knee-Out)
ILL: Jordyn Slaughter - OL (Ankle-Out)
ILL: Keith Randolph, Jr. - DL (Leg-Questionable)
ILL: Marquez Beason - DB (Hamstring-Out)
ILL: Tailpn Leitzey - DB (Undisclosed-Questionable)
PUR: Cory Trice - S (Ankle-Out)
PUR: Abdur-Rahmaan Yaseen - WR (Undisclosed-Questionable)
PUR: D.J. Washington - OL (Toe-Out)
PUR: Zander Horvath - RB (Fibula-Out)
PUR: Garrett Miller - TE (Undisclosed-Questionable)
PUR: Mershawn Rice - WR (Foot-Out)
PUR: Jack Cravaack - DE (Knee-Out)
PUR: David Bell, Jr. - WR (Concussion-Questionable)

Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Purdue Boilermakers Betting Conclusion

The only thing keeping this line short is how difficult it’s been for home teams to win in this series. This year will buck that trend, as Illinois just hasn’t done anything to merit consideration in this game. They were an absolute disaster on the road in their one game away from Champaign, meanwhile the Boilermakers played a tough ND team tight. The O's will hit as Purdue will handle most of the work.