Purdue vs. Arizona, Foster Farms Bowl
Date/Time/Place: Wednesday, Dec. 27, 8:30 ET/5:30 PT, Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara., Calif. (68,500)
TV: FOX (Joe Davis, play-by-play; Brady Quinn, analyst, Bruce Feldman, Sidelines)
Radio (Purdue): Sirius 81/ XM 81 / Tunein.com (Tim Newton, play-by-play; Pete Quinn, analyst; Rob Blackman, studio host)
Pregame: Gold and Black Radio
Purdue roster | Purdue Schedule/Results | Purdue/Foster Farms Game Notes
Arizona roster | Arizona schedule/Results | Arizona Foster Farms Game Notes
More: Not all Xs and Os: Coaches' focus on building relationships ($) | Two sons, two bowls, 'tremendous blessing' for Sparks family | Strength coach Eaton brings energy | Walk-on squad giving Purdue boost on special teams | Opponent View: Arizona
Purdue run game vs. Arizona against the run
Markell Jones' strong end of the season, especially his 217-yard effort in the 31-24 win over Indiana, should give Purdue some confidence it can run the ball, especially against a young and sometimes suspect Wildcats' defense. One would think that the Boilermakers will be incentivized to keep UA's offense off the field and the fact that the Wildcats' rank 87th nationally against the run gives one data to think that can happen.
Purdue passing game vs. Arizona against the pass
A few weeks rest should have helped quarterback Elijah Sindelar's physical health. The QB said he expects to be 100 percent by gametime. Purdue will want to avoid having this game turn into a shootout, and the last two weeks of the season showed the Boilermakers could get what they needed in the passing game, especially with the Sindelar-to-Anthony Mahongou connection. Arizona ranks in the lower-third of the FBS in pass defense, so there are opportunities for the Boilermakers. But this game likely will come down to ball and tempo control, and one if its burning questions is whether the Boilermakers can do enough of it to control the game's proceedings.
Arizona run game vs. Purdue against the run
This is strength vs. strength here. Purdue's rush defense ranks 30th nationally and is truly one of the surprising stories in all of college football. But Arizona's ground game is third nationally. Purdue would happily call it a day if it could hold the Wildcats' sophomore phenom quarterback Khalil Tate to 107 yards rushing and just over five yards per attempt — as it did Louisville's Lamar Jackson in the season opener. But Tate averages double-digits per attempt for the season. Containing Tate won't be easy, but the Boilermakers must slow the Wildcats' backs — they have five with 65 or more attempts this season and all average at least 4.8 per carry — especially Pac-12 Co-Freshman Offensive Player-of-the-Year J.J. Taylor, who gained 828 yards and had five rushing TDs. Tate will shred defenses on the outside, but it is Taylor and senior back Zach Green (11 rushing TDs) that the Boilermakers must contain.
Arizona passing game vs. Purdue against the pass
Tate is known as an elite runner, but he appears to have the arm strength to make all the throws. Not surprisingly, he is hard to sack. Opponents only sacked Wildcat QBs 15 times this year. Against Tate, bringing pressure is at your own risk. The Arizona offensive line is experienced with 150 starts between them. Its passing game is ranked 109th, but it has four receivers that have shown big-play potential with scoring receptions of over 40 yards. Diminutive receivers Shun Brown and Tony Ellison are two to watch, but freshman tight ends Bryce Wolma and Jamie Nunley have been weapons as well. For Purdue to win, it must keep this to a stalemate.
Special teams
In addition to Brown's skill as a receiver, he is dangerous in the punt return game, having taken two (of his 15 returns) to the house in 2017. Arizona also ranks 10th nationally in kickoff returns, while the Boilermakers are 122 and 128 in those categories, respectively. That's a big advantage for Arizona. Crazy things often come to the forefront in bowl games, especially in kick and punt return games, so Purdue best be on high alert. Josh Pollack has been the Wildcats' primary kicker, connecting on 11-of-15 field goal attempts, all inside 45 yards. Yet, Lucas Havrisik, who is also Arizona's kickoff man, has hit 3-of-4 attempts, all greater than 40 yards, including a long of 57. Arizona is dead last in net punting, a factor maybe not too important as Purdue has yet to take advantage in the punt return game in 2017 with Jackson Anthrop's longest being seven yards.
Intangibles
Will Arizona use this game as incentive to make amends for a disappointing November when it lost three of four games? Is this a prime time chance for Tate to establish himself as a candidate for the 2018 Heisman Trophy? Does Purdue need a win to validate its season with a winning record, when few thought the Boilermakers would win more than four games in Coach Jeff Brohm's first year? The point is, bowl games often come down to which team is most focused and which team wants it more. Brohm is unbeaten in postseason games, having won two at Western Kentucky — WKU also won last season, but Nick Holt was the interim coach — so expect Purdue to be on task in this one. That should make for an interesting late night (EST) of football.
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