Skip to main content
purdue logo

First Look: Michigan

B3021720-8BBB-4061-BA01-2BB47C673635_1_201_aby:Jordan Jones•10/30/23•

_JordanJones19

ncaa-on-michigan-campus--the-very-latest
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, right, celebrates with quarterback J.J. McCarthy after McCarthy's touchdown pass against Michigan State during the third quarter on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.

Here’s an early look at Purdue’s ninth opponent of the 2023 season, the Michigan Wolverines.

Date/Time: Saturday, November 4, 7:30 PM ET

Location: Michigan Stadium

Surface: FieldTurf

Capacity: 107,601

2023 schedules/records: Purdue 2-6 (1-4 Big Ten), Michigan 8-0 (5-0 Big Ten)

Series notes: Saturday’s meeting will be the 61st meeting between the Boilermakers and Wolverines, as the maize and blue hold a decisive 46-14 lead in the all-time series. Ryan Walters will become the first Purdue coach to head to “The Big House” since Danny Hope, as Purdue last played in Ann Arbor on a grey afternoon in 2011. However, these two teams last met just 11 months ago as Purdue fell 43-22 to Michigan inside Lucas Oil Stadium in the Big Ten Championship Game. Michigan enters this weekend on a five-game winning streak against Purdue, with the last Boilermaker victory coming in 2009 in Ann Arbor when it took down Rich Rodriguez’s Wolverines 38-36.

TV: NBC

Early line: Michigan -28, O/U 45.5

STORYLINES TO WATCH

Distractions galore in Ann Arbor

The biggest story in college sports comes out of Ann Arbor, where two investigations into Michigan’s program linger. First, the FBI is reportedly working in conjunction with university police as it pertains to “computer access crimes” committed by former offensive coordinator Matt Weiss. Michigan fired Weiss in January, though details of the investigation remain sparse.

Then, the latest bombshell came when reports of an intricate sign-stealing coordination became public. Staffer Connor Stalions was placed on leave due to his role in the operation, which allegedly stems from in-person filming of future opponents’ sidelines to try and decipher opposing signals. The NCAA is in Ann Arbor investigating, as many questions still need to be resolved about the involvement from head coach Jim Harbaugh, among others.

Do you believe in miracles?

There’s no sugarcoating it: the outlook for the Boilermakers this weekend is rather bleak. The point spread opened with Michigan favored by 28, the largest spread Purdue has faced this season. Purdue hoped to right the ship following its bye week, but the 17-point loss at Nebraska continued the disappointing season endured by the Boilers.

Purdue will hope to pull off the upset of the year in college football on Saturday. With the lights on and NBC in town to broadcast, the opportunity is there for Purdue. Will Michigan be distracted by the off-the-field controversies, or will it continue to dominate as it’s done through the first two months?

One month to go

Purdue enters the season’s final month in a spot it hoped to avoid. With a 2-6 record, the Boilermakers need to win out to reach bowl eligibility. As a giant underdog on Saturday, it’s highly unlikely that Purdue’s bowl hopes will last another week.

What’s left for Purdue in 2023? In addition to hoping to retain the Old Oaken Bucket against rival Indiana, the Boilermakers will begin to look ahead to 2024. What areas need the most attention in the transfer portal? Who are some younger players ready to make an impact? Those will be the critical questions for Purdue as it hopes to close the season strong.

Pro Football Focus on Michigan

  • Quarterback JJ McCarthy, the current Heisman Trophy favorite, leads the nation in total offensive grade among quarterbacks. A dual-threat option, the former top-50 recruit has thrown for 18 touchdowns to just three interceptions after leading the Wolverines to a 13-1 record a season ago.
  • Few teams in America match Michigan’s offensive line, which paves the way for two high-level running backs in Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. Michigan’s offensive line has won two Joe Moore Awards in a row for the nation’s top o-line.
  • Nearly all of the starters in Michigan’s front seven grade at a very high mark, as the defense allows allows just 5.8 points per game.

You may also like