This one could get ugly.

As Illinois heads to Purdue this weekend struggling with a number of problems, one more will be added to the mix — a highly-touted Purdue defense.

"There will be some ugly plays because they're a great defense," Illinois head coach Ron Turner said. "There will be some minus plays, some no-gain plays. We just have to keep sticking with it, sticking with it, and if we do, there are some plays to be made."

The Boilermakers (3-1) returned nine starters to a team that had the Big Ten's best overall defense last year.

And this year they're already stopping opponents in their tracks. Purdue's opponents average a total of 292 yards of offense, but gain only 55 yards on the ground.

"It's as good a defense as I've seen in a long time — all 11 guys. They are really good," Turner said. "Defensively, I think they are the best team in this conference, and the best we have played to date and probably will play. They fly around. They hit. And no weaknesses."

That defense is one of the primary reasons Turner said he picked Purdue to finish at the top of the Big Ten in his preseason guesses.

"They said who do you think is the top team? And we talked obviously about Ohio State, but I said keep an eye on Purdue," Turner said. "I had them very, very high to start out."

Here's a look at Illinois' newest problem:

Keep an eye on ...

Senior free safety Stuart Schweigert leads the Big Ten with three interceptions, an interesting matchup for Illinois quarterback Jon Beutjer, who leads the Big Ten with six thrown interceptions.

"He's one of the best in the country. Great instincts, great ball skills, better speed and quickness than people give him credit for," Turner said. "And he is a very good tackler. If they need a big play, he'll make it."

Schweigert already garnered Big Ten Player of the Week honors after helping stop a potential game-winning play in Purdue's 16-10 victory over Wake Forest on Sept. 13.

He is fourth on the team with 24 tackles and has 3.5 tackles for loss.

On the offensive end

While the Purdue defense is catching eyes this year, the offense is also strong, Turner said.

"I don't want to sell their offense short," Turner said. "They're capable of putting up a lot of points."

Last year's starter of nine games Kyle Orton returns at quarterback, and is second in the Big Ten in total offense behind only Beutjer. Receivers Taylor Stubblefield and John Standeford also rank in the top of the Big Ten.

"Purdue likes to throw the ball. Any defensive back would like to play them because they like to throw the ball," Illinois cornerback Christian Morton said. "(Standeford and Stubblefield) are very talented. Those guys are experienced. They know the game, and they play it well."

Extra stakes

This weekend's game will hold a little extra incentive for Purdue — it's the Big Ten opener and Homecoming.

The Boilermakers are a week behind on conference games after taking last week to play Notre Dame instead. They enter the Big Ten season 3-1, with their only loss coming in the season opener to Bowling Green.

Bowling around

The Boilermakers have one thing the Illini have been unable to get their hands on consistently in past seasons — consecutive bowl appearances.

Under head coach Joe Tiller, Purdue has made it to six consecutive bowl games. The Boilermakers are one of just two schools in the Big Ten and 13 schools nationally to have that record the past six years.

"We consistently want this program to be in bowl games every year, even if it's not a major bowl game," Illinois senior fullback Carey Davis said. "Just being around that atmosphere helps the program."

Series standings

The Illini lead the all-time series 41-33-6, and they hold a 20-16-4 advantage in West Lafayette. In the teams' meeting in Champaign last year, Illinois won a 38-30 overtime battle with the Boilermakers.