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Werner's Big Ten Power Rankings, Week 6: Penn State implodes; UCLA shows signs of life; monster matchups await Illini Inquirer publisher Jeremy Werner ranks the Big Ten teams after Week Six

Werner's Big Ten Power Rankings, Week 6: Penn State implodes; UCLA shows signs of life; monster matchups await this week

J Leman's Film Room: Behind Illini's explosive pass plays, defensive miscues at Purdue All-American linebacker and Illini Inquirer football analyst J Leman breaks down Illinois football' 43-27 win over Purdue

J Leman's Film Room: @JLeman47 breaks down #Illini's explosive pass plays and defensive miscues in a 43-27 win at Purdue

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema previews hosting No. 1 Ohio State on Saturday. Ohio State week: Illini coach Bret Bielema press conference

WATCH: #illini coach Bret Bielema previews Saturday's game against No. 1 Ohio State

#illini Bret Bielema shouts out Andre Lovett and Ashton Hollins for making big plays on special teams

Shouts out Robby Discher for "exceptional" coaching on special teams, as well as Chris Hurd and Harper Cole.

Said Hurd and Cole suggetsted playing Lovett.

#illini Bret Bielema called Justin Stepp the best WRs coach he's ever had.

Illini defensive coordinator Aaron Henry discusses a 43-27 win over Purdue and previews Saturday's game again Ohio State. Ohio State week: Illini DC Aaron Henry press conference

WATCH: #Illini defensive coordinator Aaron Henry discusses a 43-27 win over Purdue and previews Saturday's game again Ohio State.

Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. discusses a 43-27 win at Purdue and previews Saturday's game against No. 1 Ohio State. Ohio State week: Illini OC Barry Lunney Jr. press conference

WATCH: #illini offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. discusses a 43-27 win at Purdue and previews Saturday's game against No. 1 Ohio State

#illini Bret Bielema: Given up too many explosive touchdowns the last few weeks. Been pretty riddled with injuries in secondary, but we're getting healthier and Henry is learning the personnel more.

#illini Bret Bielema said Mac Resetich and Aidan Laughery were healthy enough to play but not quite fully themselves. I think both will play on Saturday but not quite at their peak health-wise.

#illini Bret Bielema: OL Josh Kreutz was right on verge of playing at Purdue. We'll know more at the end of the week.

#illini Bret Bielema: Juice Williams (hero of 2007 win over Ohio State) will be here on Saturday

#illini Bret Bielema again calls on fans to be at their best on Saturday and asks students to bring it for all four quarters.

"Memories are created from the opportunity to capitalize on individual moments. This is one of those."

#illini Bret Bielema: I don't know if we've put a full game together where we've played well for all 40 minutes and no better time than now.

#illini Bret Bielema: Ohio State is "a tremendous challenge." Has a lot of respect for Ryan Day and his staff.

Playing at a high level defensively. Very explosive offense.

#illini Bret Bielema said it's tougher still to get Illinois players on watch lists.

Pushed to get David Olano on Lou Groza watch list and Hank Beatty on the Biletnikoff watch list.

#illini Bret Bielema: A lot of positives from Purdue but also a lot of things to clean up. Offense didn't do well enough in the red zone.

#illini DC Aaron Henry said he believes their strength on defense is on the front and the key is getting those guys in one-on-ones so that they don't have to cover as long.

#illini DC Aaron Henry on DL Angelo McCullom: I think he just bought into his role, and Gelo is a guy that's just doing his job. That's what you want in football.

#illini DC Aaron Henry said missed tackles are a major part of frustration. Missed tackles happen, but the effort in running to the football can make up for them. We have to make sure the next guy gets the ball carrier down. Each guy has to run with their hair on fire.

#illini DC Aaron Henry: "Jeremiah Smith doesn't make your job easier. Carnell Tate doesn't make your job easier. Brandon Inniss doesn't make your job easier.'

Said Max Klare is one of several "monsters" in their tight end room, which might be their strongest position group.

#illini DC Aaron Henry: Ohio State QB Julian Sayin is "deadly accurate." His downfield vision is superb. What makes him really special is the guys blocking in front of him. Ohio State is the best OL they've gone against.

#illini DC Aaron Henry on Purdue's explosive plays: In the secondary, it just takes one play to give a team momentum. I got to do a better job of continuing to press expectations and put us in better situations.

#illini DC Aaron Henry: Although we won, if you would've walked through our defensive unit yesterday, you would've thought we had lost.

#illini Barry Lunney Jr. said some of the offense is designed for Hank Beatty, like it was for Isaiah Williams. He's been a "get it to this guy" player, but a lot of his production is just coming through the natural progression of the offense.

#illini OC Barry Lunney Jr.: Checked with TJ McMillen what he was comfortable with as a center, under center or shotgun, and he said they were good with everything. Notes that they had no issues with the snap at center.

Asked #illini OC Barry Lunney Jr. about Justin Stepp's impact on WRs: When we had the opportunity to bring him in here, I knew what we were getting. He has an impact on his room. He has a unique way of pumping belief in guys and good morale in that room.

#illini OC Barry Lunney Jr.: Hank Beatty has a unique way of getting open. He plays really calm and is in the right spots. That earns the trust of the quarterback and coordinator. Playing at a really high level right now.

#illini OC Barry Lunney Jr. on TJ McMillen stepping in at center: He deserves some praise for sure. It was helpful we had a week prepared for that, but we had full confidence in him. I think he handled himself very well.

#illini OC Barry Lunney Jr. on Ca'Lil Valentine: "He's really good when he touches the ball, so he needs to touch the ball."