First Look: Minnesota
Here's an early look at Purdue's fifth opponent in 2021, the Minnesota Golden Gophers
Time: Saturday, Noon. ET
Location: Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette Ind.
Surface: Natural Grass
2021 Schedule/2020 records: Minnesota 2-2 overall, 0-1 Big Ten)/(2-6. 2-6 in 2020); Purdue (3-1, 1-0) /(2-4, 2-4)
Series notes: Minnesota leads the series, 40-33-3, and has won seven of the last eight between the two schools, including last year's controversial 34-31 win when an apparent game-winning touchdown was called off for offensive pass interference on Purdue's Payne Durham. Coaches P.J. Fleck and Jeff Brohm are in their fifth seasons at their respective schools, with Fleck holding a 3-1 series advantage despite the Boilermakers being a favorite in three of those four games. Purdue holds a 21-7 record in contests played in West Lafayette.
TV: BTN
Early line: Purdue opens -3
Weather: Partly Sunny, High 77, Low 56
Some early storylines:
Does Purdue make a change at starting quarterback?
Purdue's offense got into a rhythm against Illinois when senior quarterback Aidan O'Connell entered the game. Despite a couple of turnovers, he was able to lead the Boilermakers to a fourth quarter come-from-behind victory for the fourth time in his brief playing tenure in West Lafayette. That number is tied for second best among Purdue quarterbacks in the past 51 years with only Drew Brees having more (6).
Minnesota is having challenges on offense, or at least it did in a shocking loss to 31-point underdog Bowling Green on Saturday. Its offense was held to just 241 total yards on Saturday, that included an abysmal 59 passing yards from Tanner Morgan, who finished just 5-13 with two interceptions. The last time Morgan was in Ross-Ade Stadium, he completed a record 21-of-22 passes for 396 yards and four TDs, one of the best days ever by a Purdue opposing signal-caller.
Which team will be the healthiest come Saturday?
For the second week in a row, this is a legit question, especially in Purdue's camp. Arguably, Purdue played the majority of the Illinois game without its best three offensive players in David Ball, Zander Horvath and Payne Durham. Will Bell and Durham be back for Minnesota? Only time will tell.
Minnesota lost its star running back Mohammed Ibrahim in its season-opener, and has been adjusting since. And top wideout Chris Autman-Bell hurt an ankle last Saturday. Will he be available?
Will Purdue be able hold a Minnesota rusher under 100 yards?
It will be a big challenge. The Gophers have posted a 100-yard rusher against the Boilermakers in each game in the Brohm Era. And Trey Potts has been very productive, posting three 100-yard efforts after Ibrahim's injury in the opener against Ohio State. Potts has averaged nearly 150 yards in the Miami (Ohio), Colorado and Bowling Green contests.
Brohm on Minnesota
"They (Minnesota) are playing better defense than they have ever played. I think they have given up something like six rushing plays over 10 yards this season (which is impressive). They have struggled offensively, and haven't yet been as effective throwing the ball.
"But we have struggled against their RPO (Run-Pass Option) game in the past and have made their quarterback look like Joe Montana the last time they played us in Ross-Ade Stadium. Their offense is built too hand their running backs the ball and let those backs work behind their massive offensive line.
"We will have to play very well to win."
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