Purdue at Minnesota

Time: Friday, 7:30 P.M. E.T.

Location: TCF Bank Stadium

Surface: FieldTurf Revolution

Capacity: 50,805

2020 Schedule/records: Minnesota (1-3 overall, 1-3 Big Ten); Purdue (2-1; 2-1)

Series notes: Minnesota leads the all-time series 39-33-3 and has won two in a row against Purdue. Gopher head coach PJ Fleck is 2-1 against Jeff Brohm in a matchup that will always be intriguing, as both coaches were hired in the same offseason. After a breakthrough 11-win campaign in 2019, the Gophers enter this matchup at 1-3. This will be the first time Purdue and Minnesota square off on a Friday.

Minnesota blew out Purdue, 41-10, in the freezing cold of TCF Bank Stadium in the last meeting in Minneapolis on Nov. 10, 2018. Purdue is winless in five attempts at TCF Bank Stadium, a facility that opened in 2009. The teams first played in 1894, and the Boilermakers are just 12-32-3 in games played in Minneapolis over the years, while they are 21-7 in contests played in West Lafayette. Purdue has not won a game played outside in the Twin Cities since 1972 and is 7-23-3 in Gopherland in games played outside dating back to when the old Memorial Stadium was opened in 1924. When the Gophers played in the Metrodome from 1982-2008, the Boilermakers were just 5-7, with coach Joe Tiller posting a 4-1 record in that venue.

TV: BTN (Cory Provus, play-by-play; Glen Mason, analyst; Olivia Dekker, sidelines)

line: Purdue -3

Radio (Purdue): XM 380/ Tunein.com (Tim Newton, play-by-play; Pete Quinn, analyst; Rob Blackman, studio host, Kelly Kitchel sidelines)

Pregame: Gold and Black Radio

Purdue roster | Purdue Schedule/Results | Purdue Game Notes (PDF) | Game Morning Depth Chart

Minnesota roster | Minnesota schedule/results | Minnesota Game Notes (PDF)

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Minnesota's junior running back Mohamed Ibrahim already ranks 10th in school rushing yards history through 25 games. After sharing the load in his first two seasons, he leads the Big Ten in rushing through four weeks of the 2020 season. Ibrahim averages 178 yards a game and has scored 10 times. With at least 26 carries in each game, Ibrahim receives nearly all the touches in the Minnesota backfield.

Purdue's run defense really tightened up against Northwestern, allowing just 80 yards on 40 attempts. That greatly helped their averages, but they haven't faced a running back with the ability of Ibrahim yet this year. Morgan isn't known to be a tremendous scrambler, but expect the Gophers to keep feeding Ibrahim, as that has been their best offense this year. Lorenzo Neal and Derrick Barnes were excellent in the run game last time out, but they'll have their hands full here.

Tanner Morgan tore Purdue apart on his way to second-team all-Big Ten honors last year with 396 yards and four touchdowns completing 21 of 22 attempts. While he finished 2019 with 30 touchdowns to just seven interceptions, but he hasn't kept that level of play going into 2020. Morgan is completing just 57% of his passes and has only thrown for over 200 yards once, against a weak Illinois secondary.

Junior receiver Rashod Bateman's decision to opt back in was huge after earning all-conference recognition in 2019. Morgan relies heavily on him; over half of Minnesota's completions have been to Bateman. He averages over 100 yards per game and is sure to draw additional help from Purdue's safeties. Besides Bateman, a second receiver has yet to emerge. Chris Autman-Bell is second on the team in receiving but has just nine receptions.

Purdue limited explosive plays through the air last week, but Peyton Ramsey seemed to make a clutch throw every time the 'Cats needed one. Look for Bateman to be shadowed on nearly every route and for the Boiler D to try and force Morgan's other options to beat them. If Purdue controls Bateman, they will be very happy in this area, but that's a big ask.

This area of the game features the Big Ten's lowest producing rushing attack (Purdue) against the Big Ten's worst rush defense. Something has to give, right? Purdue ran the ball well enough in their first two games, but gaining just two yards against Northwestern was a step back here. Zander Horvath figures to get the bulk of the carries again, as Jeff Brohm indicated earlier this week that King Doerue might not be 100% healthy yet.

Minnesota's run defense is allowing 238 yards a game on the season. That is reflected by th fact the Gophers' two leading tacklers are their starting safeties. Their defensive line hasn't made many disruptive plays in the backfield. While Purdue's offensive line didn't have its best day last week, Purdue should be able to run the ball more like they did vs. Iowa and Illinois.

Aidan O'Connell's status for Friday night's tilt is in question. Jeff Brohm described him as a "game-time decision" in his Wednesday evening presser. If O'Connell can't go, Jack Plummer will take the snaps for Purdue. Whoever throws the ball for Purdue will lean heavily on David Bell, but I expect to see some more targets to Milton Wright and the tight ends after over-reliance on Bell seemed to ben an issue vs. Northwestern.

The Gopher secondary has only forced two interceptions on the season and allows 8.8 yards per pass attempt. I expect to see Bell shadowed all day long, but Purdue's second and third options face favorable matchups. An appearance from Rondale Moore would really ignite the Purdue passing attack's bounce back effort. Moore's return, is the ultimate "game time decision."

JD Dellinger continues to be rock solid after a strong 2019 campaign, having not missed yet in 2020. Purdue's two-man punting approach made for an improvement following second half struggles in Champaign, but punting is far from Purdue's strong suit. The kick return game looked the best it has all season, with TJ Sheffield gaining some yards on short kicks.

Minnesota's kicking situation lacks much action this year. Brock Walker is 2-3 with both makes coming inside 30 yards. His other attempt was blocked. The Gophers use a two-punter system as well, but average just 34 yards per punt. No noteworthy explosive plays have been made to date in the return game

PJ Fleck draws the ire of some opposing fans with his bombastic personality and energetic nature. His offenses have put up 41 and 38 points in their last two games against Purdue, yet offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca's departure may have hurt more than anticipated.

At 1-3 in a bizarre season, how focused is this Gopher squad? That is a key question.

Purdue cut their penalties total from 11 to 6 between the Illinois and Northwestern game - a step in the right direction. One gets the feeling, if the Boilermakers don't self-destruct, they have a great chance in this one.

Last week's loss was disappointing, and Purdue needs this win to have the kind of 2020 season it desires. Injuries will be key for Purdue. If George Karlaftis and Rondale Moore see the field, the outlook on this game changes immensely.

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