Purdue heads to Michigan State looking for first win since August

The end is near. Just two games remain in the 2024 football season. Next up: A trip to Michigan State on Friday at 8 p.m. ET on FOX, the penultimate game on the slate. Then, the season concludes at Indiana.

What’s Ryan Walters looking for these last two weeks during what has been a dreary 1-9 season (0-7 Big Ten)?

“Go out and compete, put a good game plan together, offense, defense, special teams, play clean, competitive football, and go win some games,” said Walters.

Purdue finds itself as another double-digit underdog (+13.5) as it treks to East Lansing to play the Spartans (4-6; 2-5). It marks the seventh time the Boilermakers are a double-digit underdog this season. (Notre Dame would’ve been the eighth, but bettors lost confidence in the Irish after they were upset by Northern Illinois, and the line plummeted from an opening number of 12.5 to 7 at kickoff.)

Overall, Purdue has been an underdog nine times by a combined 163 points, including Friday’s matchup. That’s an average of 18.1 points.

Walters and Co., aren’t concerned about point spreads as the finish the year with consecutive road games for the first time since 2003. Purdue just wants to put an end to a nine-game losing streak that began after a season-opening 49-0 win vs. Indiana State on Aug. 31. Last week’s 49-10 loss was another chapter in what has been a grim season in West Lafayette. The possibility of a 1-11 season hangs in the air.

“Really, the last two weeks, we played against two of the better defensive lines in the country,” said Walters. “Penn State I thought was super explosive and disruptive, especially on the perimeter with their two defensive ends.

“So, just getting back to some of the schemes that have worked well for us in the past and getting our guys touches in space so get them some room to use their instincts and make some moves.”

A short week complicates the Boilermakers’ task in what will be the program’s second Friday night game this season. Purdue lost 35-0 to Oregon on a Friday night in October.

“Speeds up the clock, for sure,” said Walters. “Playing a night game, so we’re going to be practicing at night. Got to take care of their bodies early in the week because they just played a couple days ago.

“So, definitely from a prep standpoint, just the clock is sped up. That means less sleep on the front end of the week from a staff perspective. Really diving in and taking care of your bodies as players is crucial, too, with the quick turnaround.”

Some good news for Purdue: It won’t be playing a ranked team. The Boilers played ranked foes four times in the previous five games: No. 23 Illinois; No. 2 Oregon; No. 2 Ohio State; No. 4 Penn State. Three of those teams ranked in the College Football Playoff Top 5 last week: No. 1 Oregon; No. 2 Ohio State; No. 4 Penn State.

MSU is a program in transition under first-year coach Jonathan Smith, who was at his alma mater Oregon State. Purdue won the last meeting, stunning the No. 3 Spartans in Ross-Ade Stadium, 40-29, in 2021. The Boilermakers had lost the previous eight dating to a 2006 victory in East Lansing.

“From a defensive perspective, I got a lot of respect for their defensive coordinator (Joe Rossi) and what he’s done in this league,” said Walters. “They play sound and disruptive up front. I think their defensive ends are athletic on the edge and try not to give up explosive plays.

“Offensively, you hit it with the quarterback (Aidan Chiles). I think it runs through him. Got a lot of potential there. Coach has done a good job with quarterbacks in the past, so he has continued to develop and continued to grow.”

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