Neubert's analysis: He chooses ...

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Much like Purdue’s actual team this season, my team is geared to outscore folks. And that’s what’ll happen in this matchup.

With an offense that includes a gun-slinging QB in Elijah Sindelar — you can question his experience but not his rocket arm — surrounded by sure-handed receivers Cameron Posey and Bilal Marshall and big-bodied, downfield threat Domo Young and potential to spread to a four-wide look with Anthony Mahoungou, it’ll be nearly impossible for Kyle’s shaky secondary to slow down. (Keep in mind, he has only one starter in his back half and that guy is playing out of position.)

And that doesn’t even mention one of the Big Ten’s up-and-coming running backs. Markell Jones is Purdue’s clear-cut top back — and one of the league’s best — after rushing for nearly 900 yards as a rookie. Jason King, Cameron Cermin and Kirk Barron are great on-the-move blockers, and best believe that’s going to be the philosophy here to make Kyle’s big ends, Evan Panfil and Gelen Robinson, do some chasing. But just as impressive is Jones’ ability to work in space after slipping out of the backfield to catch the ball. Which dude on Kyle’s team is going to cover him? (In Ross Els’ defense — which isn’t Kyle’s cuz, mostly, he’s running a 4-3 — it’d be Ja’Whaun Bentley. I’m more than OK with that matchup if that’s Kyle’s counter.)

Oh, one more thing about my offense: I actually have a player in Barron who can not only snap the ball consistently — please, please, please do not overlook that — but also is an actual complete center who can ID defenses, make line calls and is one of the team’s strongest players. The offense starts with safely delivering the ball to the quarterback on a consistent basis. One of our teams can do that. (Insert raising hand emoji.)

In terms of my defense, Da’Wan Hunte and Leroy Clark will combine to keep DeAngelo Yancey, Kyle’s only offensive weapon, in check. So that’d seem to make Kyle a one-dimensional team, and he just doesn’t have enough talent to go the long, hard way and outscore me. Richie Worship has potential, but can he break through the middle of a defense against 640 pounds of defensive tackles? Mike Mendez and Peyton Truitt are going to lead the way there? (Presuming Truitt is able to snap effectively with Eddy Wilson shoving him into the backfield.) And I’ll bring my other safety to come into the box like a third linebacker — and say what you want about Robert Gregory, but he’s not afraid to try to hit people, and C.J. Parker is in the same mold.

Bottom line: My offense can mix in pass and run effectively, has better skill players and will be tough to stop. Kyle’s defense may have some impressive individual players — Jake Replogle is a man — but there aren’t enough. There’s no way Kyle’s toothless offense can outscore my team.

I win because the margin between my defense to hers is superior to the narrow edge her offense has over mine.

It’s that simple.

In a make-believe game that likely would feature a bunch of scoring, all I’d need is a few stops, perhaps not even that many, to be able to pull off a close victory. And with a front seven that includes that group’s six best players, it’s going to be hard for Stacy’s offense to consistently stay on schedule. Don’t misunderstand, her Elijah Sindelar-led group is going to make big plays, but all I’m talking about is getting a few sacks and TFLs — Evan Panfil and Jake Replogle vs. Bearooz Yacoobi and Tanner Hawthorne? Yikes — to destroy a few possessions. Or to put Sindelar, who throws a bit late and can turn the ball over, in positions where he has to make plays to get first downs.

And my offense, led by David Blough and DeAngelo Yancey, is good enough to move the ball, especially against a defense that isn’t scary, to be nice.

Despite having to wait ‘til Pick 50 to get a center, as a whole, my offensive line isn’t bad — and in this split squad scenario “not bad” is a huge positive — with projected starters Martesse Patterson and Matt McCann at the tackles and Jordan Roos at guard. And I’m happy with Mike Mendez, who is likely the Boilermakers’ top interior reserve, sliding in as a starter on my team.

Peyton Truitt is a big question mark, yes, but not so much that he’s going to completely hamper the offense. Stacy’s counter argument will be Eddy Wilson, but the sophomore nose has played, what, 100 snaps? He’s far from a finished product himself, not capable right now of single-handedly dominating an offense.

And I drafted two running backs and two tight ends, thinking that I can load up against her nickel defense and rush the ball at will. And when I’ve softened up her interior and forced her to bring the nickel and safety into the box to slow down Richie Worship and David Yancey, then I go play-action and hit DeAngelo Yancey over the top or Greg Phillips on a seam. A simple, efficient offensive game plan that takes advantage of Stacy’s weak front and negates her secondary, which is her only defensive (strength is too positive a word) edge.

My squad has some weaknesses, the secondary perhaps being the biggest, but that was difficult to avoid. Purdue’s roster doesn’t have enough known products to choose from, so dividing the DBs in half was a challenge. But I think I can help out Tim Cason and the two freshmen cornerbacks by getting pressure up front, giving Sindelar less time to find receivers.

And my offense is missing a second perimeter play-maker, one who could help to make Stacy’s defense pay when she is forced to load the box with undersized DBs. I’d like Jarrett Burgess to be that guy — and maybe he will be one day — but he’s not there yet.

Regardless, my defense gets a few more stops than her second-rate group, leading my team to a 49-42 victory.

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