Football preview: Purdue at Illinois

Purdue (4-3, 2-1) at Illinois (4-3, 2-2)

When: 11 a.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium

TV: ESPN2; Radio: WIND 560-AM

Series: Illinois leads 41-38-6

Coaches: Danny Hope (9-10, second year at Purdue, 44-32 overall); Ron Zook (25-42, sixth year at Illinois; 48-56 overall)

Purdue players to watch: Who knows who'll take the snaps for Purdue? Redshirt freshman Rob Henry, who instigated Purdue's upset at Northwestern, is questionable with a lacerated throwing hand. True freshman Sean Robinson, who grew up a huge Illini fan 90 minutes southwest of Champaign in Rochester, subbed last week and could make his first start. And who knows who'll start at running back? Wheaton's Dan Dierking (353 yards), who scored the winning touchdown at NU and posted a career-high 126 yards against Minnesota, sat last week with a neck problem. Oh, can't forget all-American DE Ryan Kerrigan. He ranks second nationally with 16.5 TFLs.

Illini players to watch: Illinois received excellent news Friday when senior punter Anthony Santella (Wauconda HS) and junior kicker Derek Dimke made the lists for the Ray Guy and Lou Groza awards, respectively. Santella remains fifth nationally in punting average (46.6) while the team stands fourth in net punting (41.5 yards). Junior DT Corey Liuget continued his rampage toward all-Big Ten honors last week with 5 quarterback hurries and 1 sack. RB Mikel Leshoure ranks 14th nationally in rushing (108.1 ypg).

The skinny: Over the last 16 seasons, Illinois has beaten Purdue just twice. There have been several years where the teams didn't mean, but it's still a crazy trend that Illinois figures to end if it brings its usual run defense. With just three seniors contributing to the effort, the Illini are No. 15 nationally in scoring defense (17.7 ppg) and 19th in rush defense (112.4 ypg). They've allowed just 2 rushing TDs in Big Ten play. It's only fair to note, however, that Illinois' offense is even more lopsided to the run and Purdue is better at stopping the run than the pass.

He said it: Ron Zook comparing this Illini group to another: “I really like the chemistry of the football team, how close they are. The younger guys are listening and trying to do not only what the coaches are telling them to do, but what the seniors and upperclassmen are trying to get them to do. I think it's probably been 2007 since we had that type of attitude in the locker room.”