Opponent View/Scouting Michigan State

One team is fighting for bowl eligibility. The other is just fighting for a win to end a nine-game losing streak. Welcome to the Purdue (1-9 overall; 0-7 Big Ten) at Michigan State (4-6; 2-5) game. Kickoff is 8 p.m. ET on FOX on Friday.

Purdue will enter its penulitmate game with Ryan Walters‘ future swirling in the unknown. Will he be back in 2025? Will the outcome of this visit to East Lansing have any bearing on Walters’ future?

The last time these teams met, it was memorable. Purdue knocked off No. 3 Michigan State, 40-29, in Ross-Ade Stadium in 2021. Before that, the Spartans had won eight in a row dating to a Boilermaker victory in East Lansing in 2006.

This is the second of two road games to conclude the 2024 season for Purdue. The last time it finished with consecutive road games was 2003.

Spartan radio analyst Jehuu Caulcrick–a former standout Michigan State fullback and NFL player–breaks down MSU in advance of Purdue’s trip to East Lansing on Friday.

GoldandBlack.com: What can we expect from the Michigan State offense?

Caulcrick: I think from the offense, you’re going to see multiple sets for Michigan State, trying to utilize the talented quarterback, Aidan Chiles. So, you’re going to see a bunch of two-tight end sets, 11 personnel, try to mix things up a little bit.

The big thing that they’re going to try to do is probably try to establish the ground game and control possession. It’s going to be a lot of Chiles trying to use his legs.

And, also, you can’t forget about the dynamic freshman wide receiver Nick Marsh. They are trying to figure out different ways that they can get the football in his hands in space so he can go out and make a play.

GoldandBlack.com: What can we expect from the Spartan defense?

Caulcrick: Every week, they try to do something different. Defensive coordinator Joe Rossi is used to playing Big Ten opponents coming from Minnesota. So, he’s seen Purdue. He’s seen other teams in the Big Ten. They try to do a lot of different things, disguising coverages, bringing linebackers up to the line of scrimmage, sending some at times, but dropping them into coverage.

And one of the biggest keys is going to be that defensive line. You’re gonna have to get pressure on Purdue’s quarterback, get in the backfield and disrupt them a little bit. Keep an eye on Cal Haladay. He’s that Mr. Reliable at the linebacker position. Another guy that’s pretty good and really good at diagnosing plays is another linebacker, Jordan Hall, the second-year guy. Those are the guys that Purdue fans should really keep an eye on because they’re the quarterback of that defense.

GoldandBlack.com: How do you see this game playing out?

Caulcrick: Michigan State is trying to get to a bowl game for the first time since 2021. They haven’t been able to do that. So, they know there’s still a lot that they can play for. There’s a lot of opportunity that’s ahead of them. It’s going to be at home, Friday night, big-time college football on FOX.

For Purdue, they’re trying to play spoilers. This is a Purdue team that has lost nine in a row. They’re trying to develop and form an identity. All these guys are trying to put something on tape, be it for if they’re at Purdue next year, or if they are somewhere else. So, both teams have a lot to play for, and I think it’s going to be a hard fought game. Hopefully, the Spartans can take it.

MORE: The 3-2-1 | Purdue looks for first win since August | First and 10 | First Look: Michigan State |Three thoughts from the weekend | Data Driven: Purdue’s loss to Penn State | How was Purdue’s depth chart built?