GoldandBlack.com Predictions: Purdue at Michigan State

Back on the road, as Purdue’s playing out the string to end this 2024 season. Tonight, Michigan State.

Our GoldandBlack.com staff predictions …

MIKE CARMIN, CONTRIBUTOR

Overall Thought: What else is left to say? The Boilermakers are the first Power 4 to suffer back-to-back losses by 35 or more points since Kansas in 2015. Purdue is likely headed toward 1-11 unless a Friday night reprieve is granted in East Lansing.

*The* Key To The Game: Start fast. Finish strong. Force takeaways. Protect the ball. Established a running game. Stop the run. Pressure the quarterback. Pick one.

Your Pick To Click (offense): Max Klare. Best thing the passing game offers. 

Your Pick To Click (defense): Dillion Thieneman. He’s due to force a turnover.

Spiciest Take: The Boilermakers finally score a TD in the first quarter against a Big Ten team, but the defense produces the points.

Predicted Score: Michigan State 39, Purdue 12

TOM DIENHART, GOLDANDBLACK.COM

Overall Thought: Thought? Everyone’s mind is numb during a paralyzing nine-game skid. The last time Purdue lost 10 in a row? It was 2013.

*The* Key To The Game: Getting takeaways. Purdue is second-to-last in America with 5 takeaways.

Your Pick To Click (offense): RB Devin Mockobee. No Boiler plays with more pride or purpose.

Your Pick To Click (defense): S Dillon Thienema. OK, THIS is the week he finally get an INT.

Spiciest Take: Purdue will score a first quarter TD.

Predicted Score: Michigan State 41, Purdue 17. 

ALAN KARPICK, GOLDANDBLACK.COM

Overall Thought: This may be the ultimate test of whether Purdue can play motivated football on a cold, dark night in East Lansing.

*The* Key To The Game: Purdue’s motivation. Michigan State may not be for long under Jonathan Smith, but it is currently a peer program (sorta) to Purdue. The Boilermakers need to make this game a contest in the second half.

Your Pick To Click (offense): Devin Mockobee: With the possible breezy conditions, I would think Mockobee will have his opportunities.

Your Pick To Click (defense): Dillon Thieneman—I bounce back and forth between the sophomore safety and Kydran Jenkins. Tonight it’s Thieneman’s turn.

Spiciest take: Purdue will score that elusive first-quarter touchdown…and go for two to celebrate their first trip to the end zone in the game’s opening period in four moths.

Predicted Score: Michigan State 34, Purdue 17

JORDAN JONES, CONTRIBUTOR

Overall Thought: On a frigid Friday night, Purdue will hope to show a sign of life that it hasn’t often done this year.

*The* Key To The Game: I can’t imagine attendance will be great in East Lansing, and neither team is exactly thriving. Michigan State does still have bowl eligibility to play for, though. Does Purdue match, or exceed, the energy from the Spartan sideline?

Your Pick To Click (offense): Devin Mockobee. Feed him all day.

Your Pick To Click (defense): Kydran Jenkins. Michigan State allows a lot of sacks. Be aggressive.

Spiciest Take: All of these national TV losses will have fans longing for BTN and the Rotel queso, Barbasol and Motel 6 commercials of old.

Predicted Score: Michigan State 31, Purdue 14.

BRIAN NEUBERT, GOLDANDBLACK.COM

Overall Thought: Nothing realistic that happens the next two weekends will change the story of this season, but there are opportunities here for players to put themselves in a better position for next season. Or put together some tape for the portal.

*The* Key To The Game: Fight. It’s just that simple. The worst part of this season has been just the non-competitiveness.

Your Pick To Click (offense): Jahmal Edrine. No real reason, but someone other than Max Klare has to do something.

Your Pick To Click (defense): Antonio Stevens.

Spiciest Take: We should have just bagged this feature a month ago.

Predicted Score: Michigan State 35, Purdue 7.

CHAT GTP, STAFF AI BOT

Just trying to make sure we are more interesting …