Greetings from State College, Pa., one of the nicest campuses you’ll ever visit.
It's hoodie weather in Happy Valley, and the Nerf footballs are crisscrossing the clear blue skies over expansive black parking lots packed with tailgaters. Good day for a thermos of coffee or a flask of Early Times.
It’s Penn State’s 100th homecoming today, so the alums wanna be sent home with a smile and story to tell. Can Purdue rain on the parade? Gonna be difficult for the 28-point underdog Boilermakers.
Keys to victory
1. Generate some turnovers. Purdue hasn't generated more than one turnover in a game since it got four in a home win vs. Boston College over a year ago. Amazing. Since then, Purdue has won the turnover battle just two times: 1-0 vs. Ohio State in 2018 and 1-0 at Nebraska in 2018. Not coincedently, Purdue won both of those games, too. The offense could use the boost of a few short fields.
2. Play solid defense. Look, the Boilermakers never are gonna have a steel curtain this season. But the unit can’t yield as many big plays as it has thus far in 2019. DC Nick Holt’s unit must make Penn State earn its yards and points. It can’t make things easy on the Nittany Lions
3. Control the ball. Some how, some way, Purdue needs to “shorten” the game. Maybe it can manufacture a ground game with short passes. Maybe a run game that showed some life last week with a season-high 123 yards vs. Minnesota can take the next step. Keeping the ball away from Penn State for extended stretches would be a very good thing.
Picks to click
Offense
QB Jack Plummer. The young buck made progress from TCU to Minnesota. Yes, this will be hostile environment for the redshirt freshman. Still, he has a calmness about him that should allow him to overcome the “bigness” of this moment.
Defense
E George Karlaftis. The first big road game should bring out the best in No. 5. Look for the always hard-charging Karlaftis to make at least one sack, using his quickness and relentlessness to advantage. Maybe he’ll even bat a pass that will lead to a pick. Why not?
What are your thoughts?
