Michigan - Purdue Preview

Time: 12:00
Location: Big House
TV: Big Ten Network
Line: Michigan -6
Weather: 58 and Partly Cloudy

I was at Illinois last week to see the 3rd quarter collapse live and I'm here to tell you that Michigan went from blowing out Zook and Company to getting blown out with 2-3 questionable calls by the Big Ten crew of officials. Illinois was about to lay down after the Roundtree/Brown/Minor touchdown but that stop gave them life and they ran away with the game.

Purdue on the other hand got shutout at Wisconsin where they were dropping balls and making only a hand full off first downs.

Both team are young across the board and going through coaching changes. Purdue's is a little less "disruptive" since Danny Hope was on board under Joe Tiller. Danny did change the offense from a open/spread style to a power run game.

The Numbers Game:
Purdue is very consistent on both sides of the ball when it comes to national rankings. They are 65th and 7th in the Big Ten in both Total Offense and Total Defense. Their defense gives up 363 total yards per game and they will be facing the #1 run offense in the Big Ten.

The Michigan defense is the real story here. Currently, Michigan is giving up 382 yards per game which equals 176th in the country.

I will let that sentence stand on it's own, since it pretty much speaks for itself.

Keys to the game:

• Can Michigan stop Purdue's offense? Juice got healthy last week, will Purdue's offense get back on track this week?


• Can Michigan run the ball with long drives?


• Can Michigan score touchdowns in the red zone?


• Has Michigan's Pass Protection improved at all?

This game won't get the eyeballs that a Bama vs LSU or Penn State vs Ohio State will this weekend but this will be a very interesting game. This is a must win for both teams with biggest "must" going to the Wolverines who need one more win to be bowl eligible.

Call in sick for the next three weeks if:

• Michigan isn't playing like this is the most important game of the year


• Purdue's offense is moving the ball


• Michigan gets over powered on both sides of the ball


• Michigan continues to fumble away their bowl lives

Sing "Hail to the Victors" if:

• Michigan opens up the offense and shows run but completes passes


• Tate has a bunch of roll out passes


• Minor is healthy and goes for 200


• Roundtree finds his next gear


• The defense bends but doesn't break

This game will go, one of two ways, Michigan either loses a close one or wins in a blow out. If this team plays with confidence they can move the ball on offense and even score if Purdue takes a lead. The coaches need a much better game plan then they have had the last two weeks on both sides of the ball. Hopefully, JT Floyd can get some snaps at corner and Woolfolk can play some safety. The safety spot has killed the Michigan defense all year and they need some competent play out of that position or they will lose he next three games.

Michigan's first goal this year was to go to a bowl game. That goal could become a reality if Michigan can beat Purdue on Saturday. The weather should be sunny and warm for November in Ann Arbor. Michigan 34 Purdue 14

G0 Blue!