How we did in our predictions for this weekend's Purdue-Illinois game, a 34-31 overtime win for the Boilermakers.
Link: Predictions
Kyle Charters
Prediction: Illinois 30, Purdue 23
I didn't think Purdue could fix enough of its problems in one week. And I was wrong. Again.
The Boilermakers did a great job — and Terry Malone deserves a great deal of credit — in coming up with a plan to negate the weaknesses that destroyed its ability to succeed (or even be competent) in the loss to Maryland. And the defense, although it gave up yards (it's going to), was able to make the plays it needed at the end to get a victory.
Didn't think either could happen. And that's when we expected Purdue to have Markell Jones and Ja'Whaun Bentley. For the Boilermakers to get the win without arguably two of its best three players is impressive, to say the least.
Stacy Clardie
Prediction: Illinois 28, Purdue 21
Well, generally surprised at how that game turned out.
Surprised at Purdue's ability to run the ball so well without Markell Jones. Brian Lankford-Johnson had been dreaming of a full-time role, mentioning he's been preparing to take over the top spot, and he certainly performed well given the chance. I've thought Richie Worship's demotion wasn't deserved - couldn't figure out why he wasn't the "or" No. 2 back from Week 1 - so it was nice to see him have some success as well. But, really, credit goes to the O-line for opening holes and collectively being in sync to block really well. Lankford-Johnson had some slick footwork beyond the holes, but the O-line did a bunch of that work.
Surprised the defense wasn't great but ended up being good enough, certainly helped by Illinois' missed field goal after the Boilermakers allowed Illinois to get in that game-winning potential position in the final 37 seconds. Gelen Robinson's forced fumble in overtime was well-timed and critical, obviously. So that counts as making a play when one was needed, which is what that team needed on Saturday.
Surprised, a bit, Darrell Hazell essentially conceded a field goal try in overtime after Worship was chugging out yardage against a tired Illinois defense. Who's to say Purdue couldn't have scored a touchdown in OT? Surprised because he was allowing a freshman to decide the game, a freshman who'd been shaky over the first four by making only 2-of-5 kicks and also just barely made the extra point that tied the game at 31.
But a victory is a victory. And Purdue's players did enough to get one.
Alan Karpick
Prediction: Illinois 31, Purdue 17
In what will be a familiar refrain, I couldn’t have been more wrong. You have to give Darrell Hazell a lot of credit for keeping his team together, and offensive coordinator Terry Malone a gold star for developing a scheme that worked. And defensively, Purdue held it together just enough to get out of Champaign with a win. If Purdue plays with this level of urgency it will make the rest of the season competitive and interesting to watch.
Brian Neubert
Prediction: Illinois 35, Purdue 21
I just underestimated Purdue entirely. I'll be honest: After the Maryland game, I just thought this team was cooked. Purdue was better than I gave it credit for, and showed some real substance in repeatedly bouncing back when they looked sunk.
And I thought Illinois was better than it is. It's not.
But this was more about Purdue than Illinois. Really a nice win and substantive effort, especially given the circumstances. A team that doesn't have enough players - not players, players - won without a couple of its best.
Link: Predictions
Kyle Charters
Prediction: Illinois 30, Purdue 23
I didn't think Purdue could fix enough of its problems in one week. And I was wrong. Again.
The Boilermakers did a great job — and Terry Malone deserves a great deal of credit — in coming up with a plan to negate the weaknesses that destroyed its ability to succeed (or even be competent) in the loss to Maryland. And the defense, although it gave up yards (it's going to), was able to make the plays it needed at the end to get a victory.
Didn't think either could happen. And that's when we expected Purdue to have Markell Jones and Ja'Whaun Bentley. For the Boilermakers to get the win without arguably two of its best three players is impressive, to say the least.
Stacy Clardie
Prediction: Illinois 28, Purdue 21
Well, generally surprised at how that game turned out.
Surprised at Purdue's ability to run the ball so well without Markell Jones. Brian Lankford-Johnson had been dreaming of a full-time role, mentioning he's been preparing to take over the top spot, and he certainly performed well given the chance. I've thought Richie Worship's demotion wasn't deserved - couldn't figure out why he wasn't the "or" No. 2 back from Week 1 - so it was nice to see him have some success as well. But, really, credit goes to the O-line for opening holes and collectively being in sync to block really well. Lankford-Johnson had some slick footwork beyond the holes, but the O-line did a bunch of that work.
Surprised the defense wasn't great but ended up being good enough, certainly helped by Illinois' missed field goal after the Boilermakers allowed Illinois to get in that game-winning potential position in the final 37 seconds. Gelen Robinson's forced fumble in overtime was well-timed and critical, obviously. So that counts as making a play when one was needed, which is what that team needed on Saturday.
Surprised, a bit, Darrell Hazell essentially conceded a field goal try in overtime after Worship was chugging out yardage against a tired Illinois defense. Who's to say Purdue couldn't have scored a touchdown in OT? Surprised because he was allowing a freshman to decide the game, a freshman who'd been shaky over the first four by making only 2-of-5 kicks and also just barely made the extra point that tied the game at 31.
But a victory is a victory. And Purdue's players did enough to get one.
Alan Karpick
Prediction: Illinois 31, Purdue 17
In what will be a familiar refrain, I couldn’t have been more wrong. You have to give Darrell Hazell a lot of credit for keeping his team together, and offensive coordinator Terry Malone a gold star for developing a scheme that worked. And defensively, Purdue held it together just enough to get out of Champaign with a win. If Purdue plays with this level of urgency it will make the rest of the season competitive and interesting to watch.
Brian Neubert
Prediction: Illinois 35, Purdue 21
I just underestimated Purdue entirely. I'll be honest: After the Maryland game, I just thought this team was cooked. Purdue was better than I gave it credit for, and showed some real substance in repeatedly bouncing back when they looked sunk.
And I thought Illinois was better than it is. It's not.
But this was more about Purdue than Illinois. Really a nice win and substantive effort, especially given the circumstances. A team that doesn't have enough players - not players, players - won without a couple of its best.
