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Illinois Fighting Illini vs Purdue Boilermakers Prediction – Week 7 College Football

The Illinois Fighting Illini will host the Purdue Boilermakers at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois, on Saturday, October 13th. The game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET and will be televised on FS1. Illinois is a heavy favorite, with a -19.5-point spread, and the over/under is set at 49.5 points. Illinois has their eyes set on bowl eligibility, while Purdue is looking to turn around their season after a disappointing 1-4 start.

Illinois comes into this matchup with a 4-1 record, boasting one of the top defenses in the Big Ten. Purdue, on the other hand, has struggled to find consistency on both sides of the ball and ranks near the bottom in several statistical categories.

Purdue’s Offense Struggles to Find Rhythm

The Boilermakers have had a tough season, averaging just 18.6 points per game, which ranks 124th in the nation. Quarterback Hudson Card has been one of the few bright spots, throwing for 738 yards, but Purdue has been unable to convert drives into points consistently. They rank 118th in passing yards per game and have struggled mightily on third downs, converting only 30.5% of their attempts.

Defensively, Purdue is allowing 36.8 points per game, which has put them at a significant disadvantage in every game this season. They have been unable to stop the run, allowing 240.4 rushing yards per game. Purdue’s defense will need to step up in a big way if they hope to keep this game competitive.

With a season that has been disappointing so far, Purdue will need to limit turnovers and find ways to put points on the board if they want to have any chance against a solid Illinois team.

Can Illinois Continue Their Dominance at Home?

Illinois has been strong on both sides of the ball, and their defense has been one of the best in the conference. They are allowing just 14.2 points per game, which ranks 11th in the nation. Quarterback Luke Altmyer has been efficient, throwing for 1,047 yards and 11 touchdowns with just one interception this season. His accuracy and decision-making have been key to the Illini’s success.

The rushing attack has been less consistent, averaging 132.8 yards per game. Running back Kaden Feagin leads the team with 306 yards and three touchdowns. If Illinois can establish a balanced offensive approach, they should be able to control the tempo and keep Purdue’s defense on its heels.

Illinois’ defense will look to capitalize on Purdue’s offensive struggles and force the Boilermakers into passing situations, where they have been less effective this season.

Prediction: Illinois to Win, Purdue to Cover

Illinois is a heavy favorite, but Purdue has the potential to keep this game closer than expected. The Boilermakers have shown resilience in tough matchups, and with a spread of 19.5 points, they have a good chance to cover. Our projected final score is 33-19 in favor of Illinois, but Purdue should be able to keep it within the spread.

With the over/under set at 49.5 points, our projection of 52 total points suggests that taking the over is the best play. Expect a competitive game, but Illinois should come out on top in front of their home crowd.

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