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ADVANTAGE? PURDUE PASSING GAME VS. MINNESOTA PASS DEFENSE MATCHUP PREVIEW: Purdue vs. Minnesota PLAYER TO WATCH On paper, Minnesota's pass defense is one of the stingiest in the country, but part of that is simply because opponents have had so much success running the ball on the Gophers. But Minnesota's pass rush is formidable and its secondary is solid. Still, Purdue's passing game is one that can neutralize a pass rush with its lateral passing and screens. But expect the Boiler- makers to try to get the ground game going first. PURDUE RUNNING GAME VS. MINNESOTA RUN DEFENSE The phase of the game where Purdue must thrive. This should be as favorable a matchup as Purdue's offensive line gets from here on out and Minnesota's linebackers are supposed to be suspect. Last week, the Boilermakers took a more "down-hill" approach to running the ball, using more two-back and double-tight end sets, and will probably do the same this week, par- ticularly with Ralph Bolden showing signs he's rounding back into form. MINNESOTA PASSING GAME VS. PURDUE PASS DEFENSE Minnesota is breaking in a true freshman quarterback, Philip Nelson, and breaking in a con- verted quarterback at receiver. Who really knows what to expect? The Gophers are on their third quarterback of the season and the group that'll play Saturday has little experience togeth- er. The offensive line is injury-riddled. Purdue will have a chance to disrupt things for a young QB and, it will hope, force some mistakes. MINNESOTA RUNNING GAME VS. PURDUE RUN DEFENSE Minnesota's running game hasn't been terribly productive this season and its best running threat, MarQueis Gray out of the quarterback position, has now been neutralized by his switch to wide receiver. Nelson is a running threat, so Purdue will again have to exhibit some disci- pline. But the Boilermaker defensive line should have a favorable matchup and Purdue's tack- ling is on an upswing. SPECIAL TEAMS It's great that Purdue can make big plays on special teams, but it has to make all the little ones, too. Right now, it's not, and blocked kicks just cost it a game. Minnesota has the top kickoff coverage unit in the Big Ten and a prolific return man in Troy Stoudermire. 28 BOILERS PREDICTION Purdue has played better on the road than at home. Go figure. This might be an early bowl-elimination game of sorts for both teams already, but we like Purdue's chances offensively against an iffy defense and we like the matchup for a Boilermaker defense trending upward against a young Gopher offense. Both of last week's blocks — a field goal and a PAT — have been attributed to low kicks on freshman kicker Paul Griggs' part. Purdue will want to make sure that's cor- rected, obviously. 23 GOPHERS GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 23, EXPRESS 8 • 11 Purdue may not have leading receiver O.J. Ross again, so that would mean more time for 6-foot-5 redshirt freshman Dolapo Macarthy. He has been productive every chance he's gotten and gives Purdue a more physical presence. Danny Hope said once again that athletic quarterback Rob Henry "has to" be a bigger part of the game plan. Maybe this is the week he really makes an impact in the running game. Senior linebacker and defensive end Robert Maci is qui- etly having a really good season; he's been very active in opponents' backfield. Against a young quarterback, that will be the goal for the whole D-line Saturday. Kawann Short returned to form at Ohio State, showing up as the all-league type of player he's regarded as. This week, the degree of difficulty dips. He'll be a handful for Minnesota's front. ADVANTAGE?