David Pollack explains how Michigan State can avoid upset vs. Purdue

One week after a thrilling win over then-No. 6 Michigan, No. 3 Michigan State is gearing up to for a road showdown against Purdue on Saturday. It sounds like it has “trap game” written all over it, right?

ESPN analyst David Pollack wasn’t ready to say that. On College Football Live this week, he said Michigan State has one big thing going for it: its head coach.

“The good thing is Mel Tucker’s used to this,” Pollack told Desmond Howard and host Wendi Nix. “He’s been, recently, at Georgia … he was with Alabama. He’s played in plenty of big games and he knows what to tell his guys. But getting your guys focused is another thing.

It’s easy to get up for Michigan. We’ll see what kind of maturity they have now the next week, getting up for Purdue. It is good, at least, that Purdue has a knack for upsets. Mel could try to bang that drum for them to help them out and try to keep them focused.”

That’s true. Purdue has a history of big upsets — including one already this year.

The Boilermakers went into Iowa and defeated the Hawkeyes 24-7 on Oct. 16. Three years ago in 2018, Purdue pulled off top-3 stunner by beating No. 2 Ohio State 49-20. Jeff Brohm’s group has a history of big these types of upsets, which is why it might not be an easy one for Michigan State.

But as Pollack said, Tucker has been here before. It’s going to be interesting.

Should Michigan State be on upset watch?

Last week, Michigan and Michigan State played in arguably the best college football game of the year. The Spartans came away with the 37-33 victory at Spartan Stadium behind a huge day from running back Kenneth Walker III. Walker ran for 197 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Michigan State charge on offense. He’s a big reason why the Spartans are 8-0 this year and No. 3 in the first College Football Playoff rankings.

But letdowns have been common across the Big Ten this year — and Purdue was one of them. After upsetting Iowa, the Boilermakers jumped into the AP Top 25. Their stay was short-lived, though, as they fell to Wisconsin 30-13 that same week. Can Michigan State change the trend? It’ll be something to watch, that’s for sure. But Tucker — and Walker — could be the difference makers the Spartans need to remain unbeaten.

Kickoff between Purdue and Michigan State is coming up at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.