The Early Preview: A Halloween Nightmare
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 11/03/2009
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I had the craziest dream this weekend, while I was home celebrating Halloween and my little sister’s birthday.
I dreamt that my Boilermakers, who were playing well as of late, walked into Madison and just got absolutely annihilated by the Wisconsin Badgers. I knew it was a dream, because there is no way some of it could be real. I mean, Purdue’s seemingly potent offense only mustered eight first downs all game, with sure-handed receiver Keith Smith dropping balls and the normally savvy quarterback Joey Elliott throwing into double coverage or just missing his targets altogether. On the other side of the ball, Purdue’s vaunted defensive line was pushed backwards all day long, with the young Boiler linebackers getting lost in a swarm of massive Badger linemen. Oh, and I do not believe the secondary was even in my dream, because I do not recall Wisconsin ever throwing the ball.
Well, maybe this was not a dream, but it sure felt like it. I found myself hoping I would soon wake up and the real Purdue game would be starting. Unfortunately, the beatdown Wisconsin gave Purdue last Saturday was all too real and ended any realistic chance Purdue had of going to a bowl game. This week Purdue travels to Ann Arbor to face another bipolar team in the Michigan Wolverines. Here is what to expect.
Grind it out- Michigan may not have the powerful offensive line that Wisconsin does, but expect them to do everything in their power to exploit Purdue’s struggling run defense. Since their impressive showing against Ohio State, the Boiler defense has allowed over five yards per carry. Wolverine coach Rich Rodriguez has to be salivating at this thought since his explosive spread option offense has Michigan leading the Big Ten in rushing.
Who shows up?- This is a question that will need to be answered by both teams. Which Purdue team will show up: the one that outplayed Ohio State, or the one that got throttled by Wisconsin? Which Michigan team will show up: the one that beat Notre Dame, or the one that became Illinois’ first Division IA victory? When Purdue is rolling with its short passing game, and its defense is getting into opposing backfields, the Boilers are tough to beat. But, as has been seen in games against Wisconsin and Northern Illinois, when opposing offenses are able to run the ball and control the clock, Purdue’s defense tires and its offense never really gets into rhythm.
Road Woes- To say Purdue has struggled on the road recently would be an understatement. The Boilers have lost their last 11 games away from Ross-Ade Stadium, losing by an average of 14.5 points per game. Purdue will have to forget about last week in a hurry and focus on ending its road losing streak, as well as its losing streak in the Big House. Purdue has not won there since the Bob Griese-led Boilers emerged from Ann Arbor victorious on their way to becoming Rose Bowl champions way back in 1966, when coach Danny Hope was 7 years old.
Prediction- This is definitely a game Purdue can win. However, a team’s psychological state goes a long way towards being successful, and you really have to be concerned about Purdue’s at this point. Not only are they going into a venue Purdue has not won in since the Cretaceous Period, they are doing so a week after being embarrassed on the road. Michigan has its own problems coming off of a loss to hapless Illinois, but I still think Purdue is in worse shape right now, 21-17 Michigan.