Nebraska Football: Ranking Cornhuskers’ 2020 opponents by toughness

Brandon Peters is coming off a career year after transferring from Michigan to Illinois and he helped turn the Illini around after years spent in the basement of the Big Ten.

Along with Peters, the Illini return nine starters on offense including star wide out Josh Imatorbhebhe and two other starting receivers. The run game could take a step back with Reggie Corbin and Dre Brown gone, however. And defensively, the Illini could have a solid defensive backfield, but the front-seven may be a concern.

Lovie Smith is fighting for his job yet again.

Was there any team in the Big Ten that suffered injuries like Purdue did in 2019? The Boilermakers lost quarterback after quarterback and also All-American receiver Rondale Moore early on.

They went from darkhorse contenders in the Big Ten West to 4-8 and searching for answers. This came after Jeff Brohm turned down the Louisville job — his alma mater — in the offseason and he watched the Cardinals undergo a massive turnaround and 8-5 finish under Scott Satterfield. Talk about a punch to the gut.

Purdue will be back in a bowl game in 2020 more than likely, but this should still be a win for the Cornhuskers.