Welcome to the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field. It’s a beautiful day for football … or, even baseball. Let’s play two!
Purdue has a chance to get on the winning track today vs. a Northwestern team that—to be kind—is floundering. Surprised the Vegas line isn’t more than 11.5-12.
This could be the first to two season-ending victories for the Boilermakers, as a date with moribund Indiana awaits after Purdue’s Chicago junket. What's it mean? An 8-4 record is likely as the program heads to a bowl game.
Here are some storyline lines to watch
• Will Aidan O’Connell keep rolling? There have been few hotter quarterbacks in the nation. Since taking over for Jack Plummer in the fifth game of the season, O'Connell is completing 73.4 percent of his passes (201-of-274) for 2,091 yards with 13 touchdowns and four interceptions.
• Can Purdue run with aplomb? The Boilers will face a NU defense that is last in the Big Ten vs. the run (229.2 ypg). Maybe Purdue can have its first 100-yard rusher since Zander Horvath vs. Rutgers on Nov. 28, 2020.
• Can David Bell make it three games in a row with triple-digit receiving yard? He had 217 vs. Michigan State and 103 last week vs. the Buckeyes. He has gone over 100 six times in 2021 (200, twice). He leads the Big Ten with 1,106 yards receiving on 75 grabs with five TDs. Remember: Bell missed the Illinois game (concussion).
• Will takeaways come back? Purdue had none last week at Ohio State. It had had 12 in the previous four games.
• Can the defense get on track? The unit was shredded last week vs. the Buckeyes, allowing 59 points and over 600 yards. Playing a listless NU offense (Big Ten-low 17.1 ppg) may be just what the doctor ordered.
• Is the punting OK? Jeff Brohm opened the competition this week after Jack Ansell had a rough day in Columbus. Sounds like Ansell will get a chance for redemption today. But, if he struggle, Brohm won’t hesitate to try someone else.
• Will the tight ends be OK? Payne Durham and Garrett Miller have been playing banged up. And they aren’t much better. But, it sounds like each will give it a go today. How productive will they be?
• Can Mitchell Fineran stay hot? He has nailed his last five field-goal attempt after a 1-of-5 slump.
As for injuries:
DT Lawrence Johnson and LEO Kydran Jenkins keep battling through injuries. Ditto Durham and Miller. All are expected to play. But DT Damarjhe Lewis may be able to go, and WR TJ Sheffield is questionable.
What will you be watching for today along 1060 W. Addison?
Purdue has a chance to get on the winning track today vs. a Northwestern team that—to be kind—is floundering. Surprised the Vegas line isn’t more than 11.5-12.
This could be the first to two season-ending victories for the Boilermakers, as a date with moribund Indiana awaits after Purdue’s Chicago junket. What's it mean? An 8-4 record is likely as the program heads to a bowl game.
Here are some storyline lines to watch
• Will Aidan O’Connell keep rolling? There have been few hotter quarterbacks in the nation. Since taking over for Jack Plummer in the fifth game of the season, O'Connell is completing 73.4 percent of his passes (201-of-274) for 2,091 yards with 13 touchdowns and four interceptions.
• Can Purdue run with aplomb? The Boilers will face a NU defense that is last in the Big Ten vs. the run (229.2 ypg). Maybe Purdue can have its first 100-yard rusher since Zander Horvath vs. Rutgers on Nov. 28, 2020.
• Can David Bell make it three games in a row with triple-digit receiving yard? He had 217 vs. Michigan State and 103 last week vs. the Buckeyes. He has gone over 100 six times in 2021 (200, twice). He leads the Big Ten with 1,106 yards receiving on 75 grabs with five TDs. Remember: Bell missed the Illinois game (concussion).
• Will takeaways come back? Purdue had none last week at Ohio State. It had had 12 in the previous four games.
• Can the defense get on track? The unit was shredded last week vs. the Buckeyes, allowing 59 points and over 600 yards. Playing a listless NU offense (Big Ten-low 17.1 ppg) may be just what the doctor ordered.
• Is the punting OK? Jeff Brohm opened the competition this week after Jack Ansell had a rough day in Columbus. Sounds like Ansell will get a chance for redemption today. But, if he struggle, Brohm won’t hesitate to try someone else.
• Will the tight ends be OK? Payne Durham and Garrett Miller have been playing banged up. And they aren’t much better. But, it sounds like each will give it a go today. How productive will they be?
• Can Mitchell Fineran stay hot? He has nailed his last five field-goal attempt after a 1-of-5 slump.
As for injuries:
DT Lawrence Johnson and LEO Kydran Jenkins keep battling through injuries. Ditto Durham and Miller. All are expected to play. But DT Damarjhe Lewis may be able to go, and WR TJ Sheffield is questionable.
What will you be watching for today along 1060 W. Addison?
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