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matchup preview: Purdue advantage? PURDUE PASSING GAME VS. wisconsin PASS DEFENSE Purdue's offensive line played well and its quarterback played maybe the best game of his career against Notre Dame. The Badgers gave up a lot of yards at Arizona State. This comes down, though, to Purdue's ability to set up the pass with the run. vs. Wisconsin player to watch advantage? Rob Henry was very good against Notre Dame, the pick six aside. But he will need more help in Madison from a running game that's done next to nothing. The Boilermakers simply cannot be a one-dimensional offense. PURDUE running GAME VS. wisconsin rush DEFENSE Purdue's run for 237 yards through three games, a hundred fewer than Wisconsin averages per game. As much progress as the offense showed against Notre Dame, it'll continue to be limited until this gets fixed. This will be a difficult opponent to do that against. Akeem Hunt produced mostly as a receiver against ND, but is the face of a ground game that simply must produce. Purdue may need him to get more than what's blocked on occasion. wisconsin PASSING GAME VS. purdue PASS DEFENSE The passing game isn't what you worry about against Wisconsin, especially this year with QB Joel Stave getting settled and no established complements to star receiver Jared Abbrederis. If Wisconsin throws very much, that means Purdue competed against the run. Purdue's pass rush is coming along. It needs against Wisconsin to put itself in positions where it matters. Ryan Russell may be the key. wisconsin running GAME VS. purdue rush DEFENSE The ultimate challenge when you face Wisconsin: Slowing down its running game. Purdue hasn't been able to in years and the matchup would not look like a favorable one again this time around. A key: No big ones. Home-run-hitting running back Melvin Gordon is next up in Wisconsin's continued lineage of outstanding backs. The Boilermakers have to keep him from breaking loose. special teams Aside from some missed field goals it would like back and its league-worst (thus far) kickoff coverage, Purdue's been pretty solid on special teams. Wisconsin's been very average. boilers 20 Purdue, and Paul Griggs, needs to cash in on makeable field goals, all of them. Points aren't going to be easy to come by the rest of the way, so it can't afford to leave any on the field. prediction badgers Considering Wisconsin's merciless dominance in this series of late — yes, there are different coaches, but a lot of the same personnel — it's clear that Purdue has its work cut out for it. But the Boilermakers were good at the line of scrimmage against Notre Dame and their quarterback play is trending upward. So maybe there's enough there to keep this closer than past games have been. 34 GoldanDBlack express • volume 24, express 4 • 13