Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/211302
matchup preview: Purdue advantage? PURDUE PASSING GAME VS. penn state PASS DEFENSE Purdue isn't doing much of anything well in the passing game, as has been the case the majority of the season, though Danny Etling made some solid throws under duress against Iowa and the protection was more sound than it had been in prior games. But still, this is a toothless unit with very little ability to threaten opposing defenses up the field. Purdue had some success with screens against Iowa. Penn State will notice. vs. Penn State player to watch advantage? The circumstances have been very difficult, but there were moments against Iowa where some progress seemed to be reflected in Danny Etling's game. PURDUE running GAME VS. penn state rush DEFENSE There's one team in college football that produces less offense in the running game than Purdue and that team, Washington State, doesn't even try to run. And only Florida International gains less yards per carry on average than the Boilermakers' clip of 2.4. Point being, Purdue can't run the football and there is no reason whatsoever to believe a turnaround might be looming. No one's doing anything in the running game, but Purdue has at least tried to get Brandon Cottom involved, but the Boilermakers' biggest back has his limitations. penn state PASSING GAME VS. purdue PASS DEFENSE Penn State's going to throw it around and has one of the best receivers in the business in Allen Robinson. The Nittany Lions' issue hasn't been racking up yards, but scoring points, with numerous red-zone failures. Purdue is giving up both yards and points in bunches right now. If Purdue can't stop the run, though, why throw? Freshman Christian Hackenberg is one of the Big Ten's leading passers. Purdue will need to get pressure on him. Recent history is not on its side. penn state running GAME VS. purdue rush DEFENSE There are only a dozen teams in college football that allow more offense in the running game than Purdue and when that's the case, it's really, really hard to compete, let alone win. Penn State is no world-beater in the running game, but Bill Belton's a dangerous back, the passing game is a threat and very rarely are Nittany Lion team soft up front, scholarship losses or not. In his tweaked role as a stand-up end/outside linebacker, junior Ryan Russell has been needed to make Purdue more physical up front. If he has, it sure hasn't been reflected in the results. special teams H PUS boilers 10 Across the board, Penn State has been very average on special teams, while Purdue certainly hasn't been great, but at least it's punted very well during a season in which it's needed to far more often than it would have liked. Purdue's already used Rob Henry to throw one pass out of punt formations, but you have to figure that option remains on the table. prediction H PUS lions Penn State is shaky, needing both home-field advantage and overtime to generate each of its two Big Ten wins this season, the last of which coming over conference-winless Illinois. But this is still Penn State and still Beaver Stadium and Purdue is riding a seven-game losing streak, not scoring and not stopping anyone. 28 GoldanDBlack express • volume 24, express 10 • 13