CHAMPAIGN – When Illinois football fans took out their schedule cards in August, it's a good bet they circled Oct. 25 and wrote a big "W" next to it.

For years, playing Purdue meant a sure win for the Illini. From 1988 to '93, Illinois won all six games with the Boilermakers, outscoring them 157-43. It was 68-2 from '88-90.

"Certainly," the fans figured, "Ron Turner's team would have no trouble with Purdue. Joe Tiller's offense might have worked at Wyoming, but this is the Big Ten."

But it is working. Tiller's pass-happy Boilermakers enter today's homecoming game against Illinois tied for first in the Big Ten. Purdue is 5-1 overall and one win from qualifying for a bowl game.

"I'd like to think we're not an overconfident team," Tiller said. "We're only at the halfway point of our season. We certainly can't afford to assume anything. Our team has an improved self-image."

Those old schedule cards might need to be replaced.

"They thrive on the big play," Turner said. "They've got to be looking at our defense and licking their chops."

The big play has been a big pain for Turner's defense. Week after week, opposing receivers and runners exploit the inexperienced Illini. Penn State's Joe Jurevicius, Wisconsin's Ron Dayne, Iowa's Tavian Banks and Louisville's Ibn Green all enjoyed their 60 minutes against Illinois.

Today, the Illini face another challenge in quarterback Billy Dicken. Like Wisconsin's Mike Samuel, the Bloomington native and former News-Gazette All-Stater is a running threat. Unlike Samuel, Dicken is a precise passer.

Brian Alford is frequently at the other end of Dicken's passes. The senior is a certain All-Big Ten pick with 20 yards per catch.

Tiller doesn't expect Illinois to make it easy for his receivers. He said Illinois will use five or six defensive backs to try to stop his passing game.

"We never know how we're going to react until we get under way," Tiller said.

Turner has his own problems on offense. The Illini have scored just 66 points in six games. Purdue had 59 against Minnesota.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Tim Lavery took over for Mark Hoekstra in the fourth game. Turner is ready to give a third quarterback a try. He said sophomore Kirk Johnson will play in the first half of today's game. And Turner didn't rule out Johnson as the starter. Lavery and Johnson split practice time this week with the first team.

Illinois is trying to end a 12-game losing streak, the third longest in the nation. Thanks to an off week, the Illini are rested and relaxed.

"We've had two very good weeks of practice, probably the best we've had since I've been here," Turner said.

The Illini might be catching Purdue at a good time. The Boilermakers are coming off an important victory against Wisconsin, which ended the Badgers' six-game winning streak. On Nov. 1, Purdue plays at Iowa.

Tiller is hoping his team's experience helps it survive the nasty Big Ten. Sixteen seniors are listed in Purdue's two-deep, with 10 starting. Illinois has six senior starters.

Tiller knows plenty about one of those Illini seniors, running back Robert Holcombe. No. 8 nationally, Holcombe draws the attention of most opposing coaches.

Another Illini didn't receive enough attention from Tiller last season. Freshman tight end Josh Whitman grew up eight minutes from the Purdue campus and attended West Lafayette Harrison.

"We came in late in the recruiting process and didn't know as much about him as we should have known," Tiller said. "That happens in recruiting."

Former Purdue coach Jim Colletto went after Whitman. When Tiller took over, the contact stopped.

"That was that," Whitman said. "I certainly thought maybe I would hear something."

Whitman wasn't crushed when Purdue passed on him. He picked Illinois over Indiana and Maryland.

"College football is a business," Whitman said. "Everybody has to make decisions every day. They made a decision, and I made a decision."

Early in the week, Whitman was still scrambling to fill the ticket requests from home. His parents and about 40 others want to see the game. Some of Whitman's high school buddies attend Purdue. They've seen Whitman play in Champaign and also went to the Illinois game at Wisconsin.

"We made a deal they can't wear black and gold (Purdue colors)," Whitman said. "I know they want me to play well, and they probably want Purdue to win."

Whitman can give his Illinois teammates a scouting report on the Boilermakers. He has attended games for years, though he doesn't call himself a diehard fan.

The final word

Purdue practiced at home before an early evening trip to Champaign. The Boilermakers planned a dinner stop on the way, with a scheduled arrival of 8:30 p.m. ... The Illini held a brief practice at 3:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium. Afterward, the Illini band serenaded the team.