Big Ten Championship Game: Purdue Preview

Time: 8:00

Location: Lucas Oil 

Weather: Indoors 

TV: Fox (Johnson/Klatt)

Line: Michigan -16.5

Can you have a Championship trap game?  If you can, this might be one.  Michigan is expected to get into the CFP no matter what happens on Saturday night.  That is a dangerous position to be for the Wolverines.  Not to mention, an average Purdue team becomes really good once every couple year's and knocks off a top 3 team.  Good thing Michigan's top RB isn't currently in surgery, Michigan's back up isn't playing one handed, and Michigan's best pass rusher is fully healthy.   Wait a second, shit.  

Also, Thursday happened.  Football gods, we understand please let up. 

Dear Jimmy, 

Congratulations on the best win of your career as Michigan's head coach.  You were down some of your best players and you and the coaches found a way to beat the #2 Buckeyes at their own game.  Well done and I hope you enjoyed that win for a day or two.   

Now it's time to focus on winning the Big Ten Championship against Purdue in Indy.  This week has been full of "at a boy's", "congratulations" and not so great news just yesterday.  That is a month's full of distractions in just a few days.   Getting this team focused on Indy had to be the #1 priority this week and I hope the players mindset is where it needs to be.   The focus has to almost be higher than last week as this week you're playing for a Championship.  

Purdue is going to unload the play book on you on Saturday night.  They know their 3 scores underdogs and will do everything they can do steal this game.    This is another pass heavy offense with an All-Big Ten WR in (Iowa Transfer) Charlie Jones who will try to get behind the Michigan Secondary as the offense dinks and dunks you for long drives.  Expect fake punts, onside kicks, long throws, and 4th down play calls.  The bend but don't break defense against OSU made me nervous but was effective.   I would enjoy a bit more pass rush in this game and 3 & outs.  

Loved the offense against OSU and we will need to see a similar passing game against Purdue to keep scoring points.  With Corum out and Edwards with one hand, Michigan's depth at RB is limited at best.  Let's give JJ, the WR's, and TE's a chance to impress again this week. 

Michigan has the better team and I would like to see a similar effort to last year's Big 10 Championship game.  It's super important that the team's mind is right because Purdue would love to steal this hardware and Jeff Brohm is 3-0 against top ranked teams.  Play great defense and keep scoring TD's and everything will take care of itself.   Play Michigan Football!  Those that stay..................

Michigan 34 Purdue 13