Purdue at Illinois - 2026 Matchup Preview
Purdue logo Purdue Boilermakers at Illinois Fighting IlliniIllinois logo
Saturday, October 3rd 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Memorial Stadium - Champaign, IL

 
Boilermakers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Barry Odom (2 - 10)
Avg Score : 19 - 32 (16 - 34 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
ILL is playing their 5th straight game
PUR is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: Illinois -16.5  (SP+ ILL -19)
Projected Score: PUR: 17 - ILL: 33 (50)
ILL Win prob: 90% | Cover: 54%
PUR Travel: 73 miles, 1 hrs ahead
Fighting Illini (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Bret Bielema (37 - 26)
Avg Score : 29 - 24 (31 - 14 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Purdue's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Purdue vs Indiana State-20
Sat 9/12 Purdue vs Wake Forest+7
Sat 9/19 Purdue at UCLA+4
Sat 9/26 Purdue vs Notre Dame+27.5
Sat 10/3 Purdue at Illinois+16.5
Sat 10/10 Purdue vs Minnesota+5
Sat 10/17 Purdue vs Washington+19
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/31 Purdue at Penn State+21
Sat 11/7 Purdue vs Maryland+3
Sat 11/14 Purdue at Iowa+19.5
Sat 11/21 Purdue vs Wisconsin+0
Sat 11/28 Purdue at Indiana+34.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Purdue's Schedule
Illinois's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Illinois vs UAB-30.5
Sat 9/12 Illinois vs Duke-9
Sat 9/19 Illinois vs Southern Illinois-34.5
Sat 9/26 Illinois at Ohio State+21
Sat 10/3 Illinois vs Purdue-16.5
Sat 10/10 Illinois at Michigan State-10.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/24 Illinois vs Oregon+12
Sat 10/31 Illinois at Maryland-6.5
Sat 11/7 Illinois vs Nebraska-8
Sat 11/14 Illinois at UCLA-10.5
Sat 11/21 Illinois vs Iowa+0.5
Sat 11/28 Illinois vs Northwestern-10

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Illinois's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
PUR#104 (.11)43% (60)18.843% (71)2.94 (67)12643% (53)2173.06 (120)#125 (.27)48% (131)31.849% (128)48% (128)4.03 (106)46.81.80.8
ILL#39 (.21)48% (15)29.448% (15)3.04 (52)13848% (14)2364.21 (29)#96 (.2)45% (114)23.641% (53)49% (133)4.33 (125)39.50.81.2
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
PUR0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
ILL0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
PUR Offense1218.815.842.8%3.061.819344126217447%52%43%43%16%.11
ILL Defense1323.614.445.2%4.331.2 - - - - - 44%54%41%49%15%.2
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
PUR Defense1231.834.448.3%4.030.8 - - - - - 55%43%49%48%15%.27
ILL Offense1329.431.347.8%4.210.8213741382363.951%48%48%48%16%.21

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Purdue1228:0119.338%60%4.846.81.80.85.32027.5
Illinois1330:5421.242%57%4.639.50.81.24.92.2130.3
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
PUR Offense1247% (96)43% (71)31.3126.4411 (78).15 (52)2.94 (67)56% (136)10% (91)1.04 (41)
ILL Defense1344% (10)41% (53) - - - - .07 (50)2.88 (70)75% (97)9% (80)0.92 (51)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
PUR Defense1255% (125)49% (128) - - - - .18 (113)3.25 (122)78% (113)10% (70)0.86 (18)
ILL Offense1351% (59)48% (15)35.2138.23.921 (40).08 (87)3.04 (52)73% (56)10% (87)0.8 (131)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
PUR Offense1252% (39)43% (53)19.833.7217.26.51115 (86)13 (132).14 (117)1.4 (118)32% (87)36% (19).36 (50)6% (72)1.9 (98)
ILL Defense1354% (122)49% (133) - - - - - - 6 (123).32 (102)1.3 (5)28% (126)36% (130).39 (112)6% (67)2 (62)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
PUR Defense1243% (13)48% (128) - - - - - - 4 (123).4 (124)1.6 (102)28% (125)32% (96).26 (57)6% (75)1.9 (32)
ILL Offense1348% (76)48% (14)19.328.6235.88.212.223 (33)6 (7).41 (21)1.6 (56)29% (34)37% (14).37 (43)6% (51)1.9 (111)

Purdue's Power Ratings
Purdue's Power Rating: -0.47  #61
Purdue's Offense Rating: 14.35  #41
Purdue's Defense Rating: 19.82  #82
2026 Talent Rating: 802.00  #56
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #24
Purdue's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Purdue's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -6.1  #90
Purdue's Offense SP+ Rating: 21.9  #104
Purdue's Defense SP+ Rating: 29.9  #90

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18

Power Ratings Matchup
Purdue: -0.47   Illinois: 13.45

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Purdue: -6.1   Illinois: 12.9




Illinois's Power Ratings
Illinois's Power Rating: 13.45  #28
Illinois's Offense Rating: 16.72  #27
Illinois's Defense Rating: 12.72  #36
2026 Talent Rating: 876.00  #30
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #24
Illinois's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Illinois's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 12.9  #24
Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 33.3  #27
Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.7  #41

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18


Purdue Scoring
Offense: 18.8 PPG
Offense on Road: 15.8
Defense: 31.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 34.4

Purdue's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Illinois 33
Purdue 17

Projected Total Points: 50
Illinois Scoring
Offense: 29.4 PPG
Offense at Home: 31.3
Defense: 23.6 PPG
Defense at Home: 14.4

Illinois's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202510/04Purdue27Illinois43Illinois -7.5Illinois55.5Over
202410/12Illinois50Purdue49Illinois -22.5Purdue47.5Over
202309/30Purdue44Illinois19Purdue -1.0Purdue54.0Over
202211/12Illinois24Purdue31Illinois -6.0Purdue44.0Over
202109/25Purdue13Illinois9Purdue -10.5Illinois53.5Under
202010/31Illinois24Purdue31Purdue -7.0NA0
201910/26Purdue6Illinois24Purdue -9Illinois54.5Under
201810/13Illinois7Purdue46Purdue -10.5Purdue62.0Under
201711/04Purdue29Illinois10Purdue -14Purdue50.0Under
201610/08Illinois31Purdue34Illinois -9Purdue49.5Over
201511/07Purdue14Illinois48Illinois -1.5Illinois50.0Over
201410/04Illinois27Purdue38Illinois -10.5Purdue0
201311/23Purdue16Illinois20Illinois -6.5Purdue0
201211/17Illinois17Purdue20
201110/22Purdue21Illinois14
201010/30Illinois44Purdue10
200910/24Purdue24Illinois14
200611/11Illinois31Purdue42
200511/12Purdue37Illinois3
200409/25Illinois30Purdue38
200310/04Purdue43Illinois10
200210/12Illinois38Purdue31
200111/03Purdue13Illinois38
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Illinois846 Overs
Purdue1584 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams10 - 133 - 92 - 61 - 3
Road Teams13 - 109 - 33 - 16 - 2

(#61) PUR at (#28) ILL
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatPURILL
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #61 #28
SP+SP+ #90 #24
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #56 #30
Blue ChipsBC% #24 #24
Purdue on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat
PUR OffILL Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #60 #114
ExplosiveExp #73 #37
PPAPPA #104 #96
PowerPwr #41 #36
SP+SP+ #104 #41
Pts POPPO #120 #125
HavocHav #80 #75
Purdue Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat
PUR OffILL Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #71 #53
Run ExplRExp #41 #51
PPAExp #52 #50
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #67 #70
Stuff RateStuff #76 #70
TackleTak - NR
Purdue Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat
PUR OffILL Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #53 #133
Pass ExplPExl #118 #5
PPAExp #117 #102
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #91 #80
DB HavocDB #72 #67
Illinois on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCatILL OffPUR Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #15 #131
ExplosiveExp #118 #48
PPAPPA #39 #125
PowerPwr #27 #82
SP+SP+ #27 #90
Pts POPPO #29 #106
HavocHav #70 #78
Illinois Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
ILL OffPUR Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #15 #128
Run ExplRExp #131 #18
PPAExp #87 #113
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #52 #122
Stuff RateStuff #81 #78
TackleTak - NR
Illinois Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCatILL OffPUR Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #14 #128
Pass ExplPExl #56 #102
PPAExp #21 #124
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #87 #70
DB HavocDB #51 #75
Program Comparison
ILL 5 Year Profile: Consistent Average P4
'26 Profile: Up to Top 25 Contenders

PUR 5 Year Profile: Consistent Average G5
'26 Profile: Remains Average G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Memorial Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Illinois beat Purdue last year (43-27)
Illinois beat Purdue in 2024 (50-49)
Purdue beat Illinois in 2023 (44-19)

  
PUR's OC Josh Henson (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Ryan Browne19933859%21539106.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Travis Terrell Jr. (Tr)10260756.071
Fame Ijeboi (Tr)9744124.549
Antonio Harris6930524.441
Ryan Browne6620643.126
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Asaad Waseem (Tr)69726510.544
Bisi Owens (Tr)66696510.548
Xavier Townsend (Tr)18243013.544
Corey Smith14237116.960

View Purdue's Full Roster

PUR's DC Kevin Kane (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mani Powell11012532
Charles Correa778342
Mister Clark (Tr)5770013
Hudauri Hines322008
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mani Powell11012532
Charles Correa778342
Hudson Miller (Tr)91100
Rodney Lora (Tr)214110
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mister Clark (Tr)5770013
Hudauri Hines322008
Smiley Bradford305026

ILL's OC Barry Lunney Jr. (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Katin Houser (Tr)26940866%33001968.1
Ty Robinson (Tr)2367%770025.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Ca'Lil Valentine13161444.725
Kaden Feagin12250774.226
Aidan Laughery7538235.157
Katin Houser (Tr)8519392.314
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Alex Perry (Tr)56840915.064
Jayshon Platt (Tr)46720515.748
Collin Dixon35548515.761
Hudson Clement36454312.627

View Illinois's Full Roster

ILL's DC Aaron Henry (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Matthew Bailey764012
Robert Edmonson (Tr)474150
William Holmes (Tr)457250
James Thompson Jr.403221
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Darrell Prater (Tr)214400
William Holmes (Tr)457250
James Thompson Jr.403221
Joe Barna202212
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaheim Clarke301007
James Kreutz304003
Deuce Fillmore (Tr)390003