Longtime college football writer and AP Top 25 voter Bob Asmussen weighs in on Saturday’s loss to Purdue:
First impressions
u25a0 The sign in the Illinois squad room is there for all to see. It says: Play fast, play smart, play physical, finish!!!
Illinois got one of four right Saturday. And that’s why it lost at home to the Boilermakers. Against a team with a coach fighting for his job. Against a team that got knocked silly last week.
The Illini moved one step closer to bowl elimination. With games left against Michigan, Michigan State and Wisconsin, it won’t be hard for Illinois to get to seven losses.