Purdue takes to the road at a venue it has never emerged victorious, as it travels to Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium for a 3:30 p.m. battle against the Golden Gophers.
Last week, the Boilermakers competed well for a half and then fell apart in the game's final 30 minutes en route to a 62-24 loss to Penn State Saturday.
The Boilermakers (3-5 overall, 1-4 Big Ten) face Minnesota (6-2, 3-2), a team that is still in the thick of the Big Ten West race, just one game behind Nebraska. And the Gophers control their own destiny as the final three weeks of their regular season are spent at contenders Nebraska and Wisconsin and a home game vs. Northwestern. The Boilermakers will be looking for their first win in Minneapolis since 2007, and their first victory in four attempts at the Gophers' "new" home field.
The last meeting in Minneapolis was in 2014 and ended with heartbreaking 39-38 loss for the Boilermakers. The defeat returned the program, under Coach Darrell Hazell, on a downward trajectory after a brief hiatus. At that time in '14, Purdue had a measure of momentum having won at Illinois and playing competitively in a home loss to Michigan State and missed a golden opportunity to pull the upset in Minneapolis.
Here are highlights of Minnesota's 40-17 win at Illinois on Oct. 29.
Oddsmakers have made the Boilermakers as a 16.5 'dog for the 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff, which will be televised by BTN. Ticket information here.
Here are three things you should know heading into Saturday's matchup.
1. The Gophers have a lot to play for
Considering the Boilermakers' struggles and the fact Minnesota is a prohibitive favorite, this could be a trap game for the Gophers. Remember, Minnesota needed last-minute heroics to beat Rutgers at home two weeks ago. But if the Gophers can win out, and Iowa loses (which is likely), the Gophers can get to Indianapolis for the Big Ten title game. While few are considering Minnesota as a top West Division contender, considering the Gophers two conference losses are in overtime at Penn State and by a touchdown at Iowa, stranger things have happened.
2. Minnesota will likely run the football early and often
Purdue fans don't need to be reminded about the Boilermakers' inability to stop the run, and either does Minnesota. The Gophers ran the football in 48 of 61 plays against Illini, and expect the same ratio against Purdue. Shannon Brooks had 176 yards against Purdue in a 41-13 romp at Ross-Ade, and the Gophers are currently fourth in the league in rushing, averaging 207.3 per game. And Brooks isn't even the Gophers' leading ball-carrier ... it's Rodney Smith, who is averaging 100.1 per outing.
3. The Gophers defense can be stingy
Minnesota gave up just 245 yards in total offense at Illinois this past weekend. It was its best effort against an FBS opponent in nearly two years. Still, the Gopher D is a bit hard to figure: It gave up just 14 points to Iowa and 23 points to Penn State (in regulation), but also gave up 32 to lowly Rutgers, though one TD was on a pick-six.
The Gophers are fifth in the league in overall defense and fourth in rush defense.
Weather is not supposed to be a factor as the long-range forecast says 60 degrees and sunny. Not bad for the first week in November in Minneapolis.
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