Homecoming Predicto

Tomorrow looks pretty perfect in God's country- Near-70, sunny and it's Homecoming Saturday. Mrs. Boilerdowd, LBD and MBD will all be with me on campus for the contest...but we still have some question marks about tickets (we're trying to get three on the cheap as the 9 month old hasn't been to a game yet...not sure how she'll do). Regardless, can't wait until tomorrow as a wounded Goldy gets backed into the corner that is Ross-Ade stadium.

Tim says:

The fact that this Purdue team is favored by 6 over the Gophers speaks worlds about the current state of Minnesota football.

Henry needs to figure out how to pass the ball. If he has less than 100 yards passing, Purdue is going to have a hard time scoring, let alone, winning this one. Minnesota isn't lighting the college football world on fire either as this game has the 72nd ranked offense and the 95th. It doesn't even matter which is which, they're both bad. Purdue has an edge on the defensive side of things though, so they should be able to slow down Goldy long enough to allow the offense to eek out some points.

10 years ago this game would've been 60-58. Tomorrow...

Purdue 24
Minnesota 20

J says:

This week, its my turn to be short. Zing!

Purdue must win this game in order to keep bowl hopes alive. They're playing in a getup they are 0-1 all time in. It's homecoming. Minnesota is terrible. 2-0 in conference is within grasp. All of this, sadly, makes me think they'll find a way to screw up.

That said, I can't pick them to lose to Minny.

Purdue 23
Minnesota 21

boilerdowd says:

What a position to be in. A couple weeks ago, Purdue was left for dead by almost everybody...now, they get to play a team that some think could have an historically-bad conference season.

My wife asked the question if Minnesota wouldn't simply stack the defense and stop Purdue's run. Well, I think they'll try to...and I think they'll fail. This is a bad Minnesota team...and their strength is running between the tackles...something Purdue's front stops pretty well (as long as the back doesn't start bouncing outside). Even with (typically) ginormous lineman, Minny is only averaging 3.8 yds/carry.

Noteworthy stats: Minnesota is 8th in rush offense, 11th in rush defense, 11th in scoring defense...sure, Purdue's no world beater...but I think Purdue will get better in the coming weeks...Minny won't.

I really like White Lightning's presence as a QB- he looks poised and seems to have command of the field. I don't like Henry's accuracy a whole bunch at this point, but I do think last week's sub-100 yard game isn't going to be the norm. I look for the receivers to catch the ball more-consistently or to see RBs catching the ball in the flat and TEs to be dragging underneath for cheap stuff.

If not, perhaps we'll see the wing-T in a week or two. I don't give a damn, honestly...as long as they win.

Purdue 24

Minnesota 13

To Your Call Once More We Rally;
Alma Mater Hear Our Praise.
Where The Wabash Spreads Its Valley;
Filled With Joy Our Voices Raise.
From The Skies In Swelling Echoes
Come The Cheers That Tell The Tale
Of Your Vict'ries And Your Heros,
Hail Purdue! We Sing All Hail!

Hail, Hail To Old Purdue!
All Hail To Our Old Gold And Black!
Hail, Hail To Old Purdue!
Our Friendship May She Never Lack.
Ever Grateful, Ever True,
Thus We Raise Our Song Anew;
Of The Days We've Spent With You,
All Hail Our Own Purdue!