WEST LAFAYETTE -
Inconsistency was considered to be a trademark of a young Purdue team before the season even started.
True to prediction, and true to form this season, the Boilers continued their inconsistent ways by falling back to earth with a thud in a 37-0 whacking at the hands of Wisconsin-their first shutout in three years.
Now the Boilers must win out to qualify for a bowl, and their first stop is one that has always been unfriendly: The Big House in Michigan to face the Wolverines, whom they picked up one of their four wins against in 2008.
So here are three things to look for when Purdue and Michigan meet on the gridiron Saturday in Ann Arbor.
1. Where The Offense?
This is actually something that both teams can answer. Lets start with the Boliers who are you read before had their troubles when the traveled to Camp Randall Stadium last week. Purdue finished with just 141 total yards in the loss, averaging just 2.1 yards a carry and 2.5 through the air. Joey Elliott's hot streak has cooled off significantly, as the once Big Ten leader in passing yardage had just 59 yards while completing 5-of-23 passes with an interception. But the Wolverines don't get off easy, even though they still have the Big Ten's best scoring offense, averaging 31 points per game. Tate Forcier and his teammates could only muster 13 points at struggling Illinois on their way to their fourth loss in five games, including an series in which they were stopped on four straight downs from their own one yard line. Interesting to see what gives in the sea of Maize and Blue.
See: Three Florida Players Commit To Purdue
2. Big House Woes-
When we say this is the wrong place at the wrong time for Purdue, its no joke. Not since 1966 have the Boilers traveled to Ann Arbor and left with a victory in hand. On October 15th of that season-which ended with a Rose Bowl-Bob Griese led the Boilers to a one-point victory, and since then there has been nothing but frustration for Purdue. In 43 years Purdue is 0-16, many of those games have been in the lopsided fashion, even in the Joe Tiller era. The coach's best effort came in 2001, when the Boilers lost by a respectable score of 24-10. If there was a time to ever beat Michigan, however, this would be it because the Wolverines of old are not the Wolverines of now. Since the win over Notre Dame, Michigan has only one win at home-and it was over Delaware State, so not all hope is lost.
See: Purdue Falls Hard Against Wisconsin
3. The Sack Man-
Big Ten football in the State of Indiana may not have the wins to show for it, but they do have plenty of defensive lineman. Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton have had their due success in Bloomington, but both right now are looking up at Ryan Kerrigan when it comes to sacks. The junior has a Big Ten-high nine sacks (Two-and-a-half more than anyone in the conference) along with four forced fumbles (Second in the Big Ten behind Kirlew) and 14 tackles for loss. Against Wisconsin, Kerrigan was the bright spot, leading the team with nine tackles while collecting 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. For the fans who may have given up on the 2009 campaign, Kerrigan figures to be a critical building block for Danny Hope's 2010 plans. It will be interesting to see how he matches up against Michigan's spread.
See: Carlino, Holland Use Early Playing Time To Help Purdue
True to prediction, and true to form this season, the Boilers continued their inconsistent ways by falling back to earth with a thud in a 37-0 whacking at the hands of Wisconsin-their first shutout in three years.
Now the Boilers must win out to qualify for a bowl, and their first stop is one that has always been unfriendly: The Big House in Michigan to face the Wolverines, whom they picked up one of their four wins against in 2008.
So here are three things to look for when Purdue and Michigan meet on the gridiron Saturday in Ann Arbor.
1. Where The Offense?
This is actually something that both teams can answer. Lets start with the Boliers who are you read before had their troubles when the traveled to Camp Randall Stadium last week. Purdue finished with just 141 total yards in the loss, averaging just 2.1 yards a carry and 2.5 through the air. Joey Elliott's hot streak has cooled off significantly, as the once Big Ten leader in passing yardage had just 59 yards while completing 5-of-23 passes with an interception. But the Wolverines don't get off easy, even though they still have the Big Ten's best scoring offense, averaging 31 points per game. Tate Forcier and his teammates could only muster 13 points at struggling Illinois on their way to their fourth loss in five games, including an series in which they were stopped on four straight downs from their own one yard line. Interesting to see what gives in the sea of Maize and Blue.
See: Three Florida Players Commit To Purdue
2. Big House Woes-
When we say this is the wrong place at the wrong time for Purdue, its no joke. Not since 1966 have the Boilers traveled to Ann Arbor and left with a victory in hand. On October 15th of that season-which ended with a Rose Bowl-Bob Griese led the Boilers to a one-point victory, and since then there has been nothing but frustration for Purdue. In 43 years Purdue is 0-16, many of those games have been in the lopsided fashion, even in the Joe Tiller era. The coach's best effort came in 2001, when the Boilers lost by a respectable score of 24-10. If there was a time to ever beat Michigan, however, this would be it because the Wolverines of old are not the Wolverines of now. Since the win over Notre Dame, Michigan has only one win at home-and it was over Delaware State, so not all hope is lost.
See: Purdue Falls Hard Against Wisconsin
3. The Sack Man-
Big Ten football in the State of Indiana may not have the wins to show for it, but they do have plenty of defensive lineman. Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton have had their due success in Bloomington, but both right now are looking up at Ryan Kerrigan when it comes to sacks. The junior has a Big Ten-high nine sacks (Two-and-a-half more than anyone in the conference) along with four forced fumbles (Second in the Big Ten behind Kirlew) and 14 tackles for loss. Against Wisconsin, Kerrigan was the bright spot, leading the team with nine tackles while collecting 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. For the fans who may have given up on the 2009 campaign, Kerrigan figures to be a critical building block for Danny Hope's 2010 plans. It will be interesting to see how he matches up against Michigan's spread.
See: Carlino, Holland Use Early Playing Time To Help Purdue
