First and 10: Purdue at Michigan
As we start the week, 10 items of interest to track as Purdue travels to Michigan on Saturday night in Ann Arbor:
The second-ranked Wolverines opened as a 28-point favorite, but the line moved to 32 points as of Monday morning, according to vsin.com. Purdue was a 30-point-plus underdog twice in the last decade: 2014 vs. Notre Dame (-30) at Lucas Oil Stadium and in 2013 vs. Ohio State (-31.5) at Ross-Ade Stadium. If you’re into comparisons, the Wolverines were a 32.5-point home favorite against Indiana on Oct. 14.
• How will the Boilermakers move the ball? Fair question since Michigan has held seven of its eight opponents to single-digit points and is allowing an average of 226.8 total yards. It’s not the ideal matchup for the Boilermakers, who generated only 195 total yards in the loss at Nebraska.
• And don’t sleep on the offense. Since trailing Indiana 7-0 on Oct. 14, the Wolverines have scored 101 consecutive points over the last seven quarters, including a 49-0 win against Michigan State.
• Don’t expect Michigan to be generous in the turnover department. While the Huskers gift-wrapped four fumbles to the Boilermakers, the Wolverines haven’t committed a turnover in five straight games and lost one fumble all season.
• If Purdue forces a turnover, it must take advantage. The Boilermakers didn’t against Nebraska and the lack of early points proved costly, despite excellent field position.
• Kydran Jenkins is climbing up NFL Draft boards. The outside linebacker/defensive end enjoyed a monster game against Nebraska. He collected 4.5 tackles for loss, including two sacks, and returned a fumble he forced for a touchdown. Jenkins has been playing at a high level all season and the matchup against Michigan provides another opportunity to impress scouts.
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• Nic Scourton isn’t far behind as scouts and general managers look to the future. Scourton had three tackles for loss against the Huskers and is third in the Big Ten in sacks, two behind Jenkins.
• Jenkins, Scourton and safety Dillon Thieneman are Purdue’s top three players. The trio will need high-level games to keep the Boilermakers from losing contact with the Wolverines.
• The offense isn’t in a great place, generating 28 of the team’s 35 points in the last three games. Injures on the offensive line continue to play a factor. Hudson Card didn’t crack the 200-yard passing mark against Ohio State or Nebraska and hasn’t reached 300 yards since the Sept. 16 loss to Syracuse. Michigan hasn’t given up 200 passing yards in any game this season. The Boilermakers passed for 366 yards in last year’s Big Ten championship game.
• How will Ryan Walters and the staff solve running back Devin Mockobee’s fumbling issues? It’s a big concern, not only for the rest of the season but heading into 2024. Mockobee needs to hit the reset button and ensure the fumbling problems become a thing of the past. The offense needs him on the field.
• Can Purdue’s defense disrupt Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s rhythm? In five Big Ten games, McCarthy is 76 of 101 (75.2%) for 1,098 yards with 11 touchdowns and no interceptions.
