Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/87065
ADVANTAGE? PURDUE PASSING GAME VS. WISCONSIN PASS DEFENSE MATCHUP PREVIEW: Purdue vs. Wisconsin PLAYER TO WATCH To this point against BCS-caliber defenses, Purdue's passing game has mostly been limited to screens and east-west passing to the boundary, with the Boilermakers not showing — at least not yet — an ability to beat a team down the field against sound coverage. Also, pass protection is a serious concern, as are turnovers. Purdue was pick-sixed for the second time this season against Michigan, a calamity that might have cost the Boilermakers the game had it been a closer affair. PURDUE RUNNING GAME VS. WISCONSIN RUN DEFENSE The Boilermakers have run all over inferior defenses this season, but been stymied by good ones. Wisconsin fits the latter category. Purdue struggles to get push up front and has been undermined by assignment breakdowns in its blocking. Is that an easy fix? At this stage of the season, probably not, but Purdue will keep plugging away with Akeem Shavers, maybe Ralph Bolden and the others in its stable of backs. WISCONSIN PASSING GAME VS. PURDUE PASS DEFENSE Maybe the threat Denard Robinson presented as a runner last week softened a Purdue pass rush that was non-existent. The Boilermakers have to get pressure and we're not going to over-react to one bad game and suggest they're not capable. Wisconsin quarterback Joel Stave is learning as he goes, so maybe his inexperience will show up some. Wisconsin targets Jared Abbrederis the majority of the time, so Purdue will have a good idea where the ball's going, at least. WISCONSIN RUNNING GAME VS. PURDUE RUN DEFENSE The numbers say Wisconsin is a bad running team, amazingly the second-worst in the Big Ten. We'll believe it when we see it. The vaunted Badger O-line has been a train-wreck this season, but as long as it has the size it always has and as long as Montee Ball's in the backfield, the Badgers are a threat. Purdue missed a lot of open-field tackles against Michigan. This game is different; Wisconsin breaks tackles. That said, look for Purdue's defensive front to rebound with a better effort this weekend. SPECIAL TEAMS Wisconsin is one of the league's best special teams units, leading the Big Ten in punting and kickoff coverage. Purdue, save for a fumbled kickoff against Michigan, is coming off a solid showing in the kicking game. In what could be a tight game, maybe a low-scoring one, this phase of the game could loom large. 20 BOILERS PREDICTION Things are never as good as they seem, never as bad as they seem, right? Both these teams have probably told themselves that at some point this season, that point for Purdue being right now after it got manhandled by Michigan. Offensively, Wisconsin doesn't look like Wisconsin this season, but it's still going to be a handful. On the other side, we didn't see much from Purdue's offense against the Wolverines to give reason to believe the Boilermakers will tear it up against the Badgers. Wisconsin's passing game took an unavoidable step back this season, but its stud wide receiver, Jared Abbrederis is just warming up, coming off the consecutive hundred- plus-yard games. It's a down season for Montee Ball, who's only run for eight touchdowns and nearly 600 yards. Even in a bad year, he's great. Ball ran all over Purdue last season, just like he has a lot of people. Paul Griggs might be answering one of the Boilermakers' biggest questions, as the freshman kicker made both his field goals against Michigan and is now 3-for-3 for the season. 27 BADGERS GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • volume 23, express 6 • 11 Robert Marve will play, but this remains Caleb TerBush's offense to direct. He has to play better than he did against the Wolverines. This has become a hot-button issue around Purdue. A strong performance from TerBush could quiet the grumbling. Sounds like Ralph Bolden might play this weekend. Can he reasonably be expected to make a distinct impact? No idea, but no one will if Purdue doesn't step up its blocking. ADVANTAGE? PUSH PUSH PUSH PUSH