First and 10: Purdue at Nebraska
As we start the week, 10 items of interest to track as Purdue travels to Nebraska on Saturday at Memorial Stadium:
The Boilermakers opened as a 1-point underdog, but the Huskers were 3-point favorites by Monday morning, according to vsin.com.
• Will the Boilermakers come out of the open week refreshed, ready and healthy?
• We’ve entered must-win territory regarding bowl eligibility. A victory over the Huskers is necessary to keep hopes alive of reaching six wins. While Purdue won’t be mathematically eliminated with a loss to Nebraska, pulling off an upset at Michigan would be monumental. Win Saturday, and the Boilermakers can gear up for the November stretch run with a bowl game still a possibility.
• Here comes another running quarterback to face Purdue’s defense. Syracuse’s Garrett Shrader, Wisconsin’s Tanner Mordecai and Illinois’ Luke Altmyer had success on the ground. Shrader did the most damage with 195 yards, but Nebraska’s Heinrich Haarberg looks dangerous. He’s gained 154 yards in the last two games, averaging more than 4.5 yards per carry, mostly on zone read plays. He rushed for 154 yards against Louisiana Tech and 98 in the win over Northern Illinois. His passing numbers are poor – 53.1% completion – but Haarberg can deliver big plays off play-action. Haarberg has the most rushing yards among Big Ten quarterbacks.
• Who steps up on the offensive line for the Boilermakers? Injuries continue to ravage the unit.
• Can Devin Mockobee match or surpass his mark of 178 rushing yards against Nebraska last season at Ross-Ade Stadium? A lot depends on the offensive line.
• Establishing a rushing attack won’t be easy against the Huskers. They allowed 249 yards to Michigan but are giving up 1.8 yards per carry in their other six games. Northwestern totaled 81 yards on the ground but needed 39 carries. As Matt Rhule looks to push the program to a bowl game, a solid run defense can lead the way.
• The ball might be on the ground a lot Saturday. The teams have combined to fumble 32 times, losing a collective 12. Purdue had 12 fumbles last season but already has 13 through seven games. Nebraska’s 19 fumbles are the most in the nation. Overall, the Huskers are -8 in turnover margin.
• Hudson Card likely won’t be 100% healthy again this season, but the week off should allow the transfer quarterback to inch closer to full strength. The offense needs big performances from Card during the next five games.
• Who handles field goals and extra points? Julio Macias has missed four field goal attempts in the last two games.
• Kydran Jenkins and Nic Scourton continue to put up solid numbers for the defense. They rank second and third in sacks in the Big Ten and combined for 14 tackles for loss. They must help set the edge against Haarberg and Nebraska’s running game.
