Is anyone brave enough to pick an upset?
It’s that time of week again folks. The staff goes on the record with their predictions. In order for you to understand Kyle’s prediction you’ve gotta understand that the email I sent out to solicit predictions asked, “Can Purdue pull off an upset? Will they beat the (currently) 21.5 point spread? Let me know!”
Ledman (5-0):
I was already picking against Purdue before the Hudson Card news came out but that certainly doesn’t help my confidence. Perhaps will find a revelation at QB and the entire season will be turned around. Perhaps not.
On the last episode of the Boiler Alert podcast I noted that this Purdue team is just bad and they are going against an Illinois offense that has done a good job not turning the ball over. Just one interception thrown by Altmeyer this season. They have given up a fair amount of sacks, so maybe there’s a way to find some damage there. I just don’t see it happening.
Purdue 3
Illinois 42
Jed (5-0):
Can Purdue pull off an upset? Sure, they could if absolutely everything goes right for them. They haven’t proven this season to be able to overcome any sort of adversity and were able to hang around with Nebraska through the first three quarters because, simply put, things were going well. Will that happen against an Illini squad that looks like a program set to continue taking steps in the right direction and appears to be under great leadership with Brett Bielema? Not likely.
On the road in the B1G for this Purdue team likely won’t go well and for a program that is floundering at what appears to be every aspect doesn’t bode well. Purdue being road dogs by 21.5 points to a program that should be our measuring stick should speak volumes about where the program is at. Purdue gets dropped in a game that looks eerily similar to last week at Wisconsin. Purdue’s offense continues to sputter, the defense doesn’t know how to play the scheme, and the special teams can only do so much as the only functional unit.
*Edit since news of Hudson Card being out and….other things
At this point in time, it’s going to be a struggle to get anything on track as it is rumored Walters may be trying to do too much to salvage whatever it is he thinks he has built at Purdue. This has gone south quickly and this could easily look like a Wisconsin/Notre Dame type loss. Walters shouldn’t be allowed in the building on Sunday.
Purdue 10
Illinois 48
Kyle (4-1):
No.
No.
Purdue 13
Illini 45
Ryan (5-0):
Short and sweet today. Can Purdue upset Illinois: I doubt it. Will they beat the 21.5 point spread: probably not. Will I watch: yes because I am a sucker for pain.
Purdue 10
Illinois 35
Garrett (3-1*)
Editors note: Garrett was a coward and gave two scores against Oregon State so I decided to give him no credit regardless of outcome.
I know this is a huge game in many ways for our former Illinois staffer head coach, but things aren’t looking great.
Illinois is a well-coached team, ranked, and playing at home. I sound like a broken record every week by beginning things with “I hate to say it, but…”
I doubt Purdue beats the spread amid all this scheming disorganization. I’ll take Illinois to win.
Purdue 13
Illinois 38