The set-up: Both teams have dropped four of their last five games. Illinois though is ocming off an epic 24-23 win at home over Wisconsin (which entered that game at 6-0 and as a 29 point favorite.) The Illini looked a lot better, especially on the defensive side of the ball and I think the team carries that momentum over here.

The pick: Purdue will be tested by the Illini both on the ground and in the air. The Boilermakers allow 275 yards per game through the air. Is Boilermakers' QB Jack Plummer that much better than Illinois QB Brandon Peters? If we go by last week's results, the answer is no in my opinion. This one has the feel of an outright battle until the final whistle and because of that, I'm grabbing the points.

8* play on Illinois