Michigan is beatable

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

If Michigan plays well, they win. Purdue needs some help.

I expect a 24-13 type game but Purdue certainly has a chance

If you force Speight to throw the ball, he will make mistakes....especially when from behind. Harbaugh knows this and will try to limit his need to rely on him to win a game. My guess is that Harbaugh tries to simply out tough and out muscle Purdue (which a team hasn't either tried or been able to) to run them down in the late 3rd and 4th quarter...my guess is that is what Missouri wanted to do but when Purdue got up 21-0 in the first quarter, that went to hell and a hand basket.

The key will be if Purdue can get an early stop after scoring and then get another score. I think for Purdue to be successful, it'll require making the other team play from behind from multiple scores in the first half.

 

[MilwaukeeBoilerFan]

performances

A few thoughts

I'm usually on more of the over optimistic side of things but some of these posts are cringeworthy.

I will say this, What Brohm has done has been remarkable so far but the talent gap on the field against Michigan will be a large one. The best thing about it is that barring a 1st half blowout, Purdue can only benefit from this game.

It's another game on national television and should be packed. (Sell out?) This is also a plus for the recruiting aspect with the publicity

I don't understand the "measuring stick" comments I have seen. This is a game where Michigan has everything to lose and Purdue everything to gain.

Playing a deserving top 10 team at home will be a great experience for Purdue before it plays teams in the middle and bottom of the conference.

It's crazy how before the season I only expected a couple of wins and improved effort. Now I can see a path to a bowl game. I just don't see one of the 6 wins needed coming this week and I'm fine with that. This game can only improve my opinion of this team. Now when little PJ rows his boat on down I hope to see an ass beating!

Yes, I've drank the Kool-Ade that Brohm has brought and I'm fine with it.
I agree with all posters (Michigan included here) that at nearly every position, MI has better athletes. Purdue will be a different dog in the fight this weekend. Smaller, but determined. Don't underestimate us. Agree, that MI has a very good defense, but their offense is LETHARGIC. If they can get points on the board early, MI wins. If not, or if they believe a FG riddled game will win it for them, they are mistaken. We have playmakers that can roll up the yardage in chunks. Add in a scheming set of coaches (Brohm brothers at H.C. and offensive coordinator) that are willing to gamble and I say we'll net Touchdowns. This is a statement game for Purdue and if MI offense plays like they have played in the last two games, Purdue wins.
No doubt about it, Defense wins games and championships. Advantage MI
Purdue has found a chemistry to get to the endzone early and often. Advantage PU
This should be fun.

 

[TopSecretBoiler]

I don't know if we'll win, but at least they have to take us seriously to beat us. We won't just roll over. Looking forward to this one. Can't wait to see what tricks the staff pulls out for this one.

 

[Bippus33]

This game smells like..... Date: November 8, 1997... Saben`s team could not deliver the knock punch, lets see Captain Comebacks Team can...

Though we are playing MI and not MI St., Michigan will do what ever it takes to control both lines of scrimmage and allow their offense to be fortuitous.....
On the back-end, MI will try to manhandle our receivers as MI has had success in doing in the past, D O G G Like Hell!!!
I loved my Tiller receivers but we all know that more physical and talented DB`s at times could make them disappear, thus JB is recruiting bigger more physical receivers to negate that while at the same time going after bigger more talented DB`s to jam the other team.
The advantage that we have now that has been lacking since Tiller is that we have coaches that do their homework, can craft a game plan to help negate the other teams talent advantages and on this week, only gave MI 20 minutes of viable game film to study from Mizzou....
IMHO, I hope that this game does become a scoring fest as I believe JB and company have more experience in that type of game than MI does.
Boys and girls, we have a punchers chance and at this stage of this programs development......... JB is agian playing with House Money!!!

Boiler-up!!!

 

[mathboy]

Michigan's lines, O and D, are substantially better than Purdue's. That is not a knock on our boys, it is just a fact of years of better recruiting. We might play better, and scheme around that talent, but in the end, MI is going to control the line of scrimmage. Given that, I see us struggling to score and struggling to stop MI's lethargic offense.

28-14 Michigan. We will not look as good as we have in the past 3 games, but that's okay considering where we have been. Still, I think we have a "puncher's chance" as someone else said.

 

[boiler2288]

I doubt we will be able to run effectively on UM, like we did against OH and MIZZOU. But, they start 3 youngsters in secondary and they have not yet even been tested by likes of Air Force or Cincy much thru the air. I suspect those quick screens and slants will work again. Longer developing routes will be problematic considering the studs they have up front and at DE who can get a strong "push" inside and on edge. It will be a challenge for sure for our OL. But that's why the Brohm brothers are considered "QB Whisperers"-I expect the Brohms will formulate a pass package that will compliment both our QB's strengths-PU wins in a nail biter!

 

[Gemini95]

Michigan's lines, O and D, are substantially better than Purdue's. That is not a knock on our boys, it is just a fact of years of better recruiting. We might play better, and scheme around that talent, but in the end, MI is going to control the line of scrimmage. Given that, I see us struggling to score and struggling to stop MI's lethargic offense.

28-14 Michigan. We will not look as good as we have in the past 3 games, but that's okay considering where we have been. Still, I think we have a "puncher's chance" as someone else said.

Agree with all of this.
That said, the fact that UM fans are even bothering to come to the board is a good sign for where we are headed.

 

[MilwaukeeBoilerFan]

This game smells like..... Date: November 8, 1997... Saben`s team could not deliver the knock punch, lets see Captain Comebacks Team can...

Though we are playing MI and not MI St., Michigan will do what ever it takes to control both lines of scrimmage and allow their offense to be fortuitous.....
On the back-end, MI will try to manhandle our receivers as MI has had success in doing in the past, D O G G Like Hell!!!
I loved my Tiller receivers but we all know that more physical and talented DB`s at times could make them disappear, thus JB is recruiting bigger more physical receivers to negate that while at the same time going after bigger more talented DB`s to jam the other team.
The advantage that we have now that has been lacking since Tiller is that we have coaches that do their homework, can craft a game plan to help negate the other teams talent advantages and on this week, only gave MI 20 minutes of viable game film to study from Mizzou....
IMHO, I hope that this game does become a scoring fest as I believe JB and company have more experience in that type of game than MI does.
Boys and girls, we have a punchers chance and at this stage of this programs development......... JB is agian playing with House Money!!!

Boiler-up!!!

Cheers! I'll drink to that. I've been pumped about this game prior to our Mizzou matchup. I'm not disrespecting MI defense. They are good. Just saying scheming will be advantage to Purdue. Punch enough times and land a couple of roundhouses we'll be in the game. I'm not impressed with MI offense and some MI posters have alluded to that as well. MI offense will have to getting better soon or go home with an L.

 

[PU52Chevy]

My thoughts.....

1) Well it is my birthday Saturday and I have already asked the gods for a win.

2) Depth will be the key in this game along with which team can dictate the tempo.

I feel Purdue will need to jump out of the gates like they did against Missouri and get a couple scores on the board before Michigan knows what hit them. If Purdue can dictate the tempo and make Michigan play catch up all day, I feel our defense will play well enough to keep our lead.

This is Michigan and they will pound the ball at our defense all day with their size and 4/5 star athletes and our depth will need to hold up.

Because we are unpredictable and Michigan doesn't know where we are throwing the ball or running the ball, I have a feeling we can keep the pressure on Michigan and have them playing catch up all day.

I say Purdue 34 Michigan 27.......

Going to be one of those grinders that takes years off of our lives but in the end Purdue wins!

Happy Bday to me!

Boiler Up!

 

[PaBoiler78]

My thoughts.....

1) Well it is my birthday Saturday and I have already asked the gods for a win.

2) Depth will be the key in this game along with which team can dictate the tempo.

I feel Purdue will need to jump out of the gates like they did against Missouri and get a couple scores on the board before Michigan knows what hit them. If Purdue can dictate the tempo and make Michigan play catch up all day, I feel our defense will play well enough to keep our lead.

This is Michigan and they will pound the ball at our defense all day with their size and 4/5 star athletes and our depth will need to hold up.

Because we are unpredictable and Michigan doesn't know where we are throwing the ball or running the ball, I have a feeling we can keep the pressure on Michigan and have them plying catch up all day.

I say Purdue 28 Michigan 24.......

Going to be one of those grinders that takes years off of our lives but in the end Purdue wins!

Happy Bday to me!

Boiler Up!

that #15 for Mich. is very tough to handle, reminds me of Joey Bosa.

 

[ivan brunetti]

I drink a lot of Purdue Kool-Aid, but to beat Michigan would take a flawless/perfect game from our Boilers, can it be done, no doubt about it. Let's agree MI has better athletes prolly at every position to start with, so requiring PU to out perform them from the beginning, I think Brohm will go to some trickery and plays that they have been practicing but haven't used yet, and they must Work.
Gonna be a great atmosphere at Ross-Ade for sure, who Wins, don't know, but MI will know they were in one heck of a fight when the game is over!!
Let's Play Football!!

I am EXTREMELY impressed with the Brohm hire. PJ gets most of the national press, but IMO Brohm was the best hire this past off season. As a Big Ten fan, I just hope he stays around for a while when the Tennessees and Texas A&Ms come a calling. Saturday should be a sell out and with the way both teams are playing, either can win. Looking forward to it! Go Blue!

 

[snowsquirrel11]

I am EXTREMELY impressed with the Brohm hire. PJ gets most of the national press, but IMO Brohm was the best hire this past off season. As a Big Ten fan, I just hope he stays around for a while when the Tennessees and Texas A&Ms come a calling. Saturday should be a sell out and with the way both teams are playing, either can win. Looking forward to it! Go Blue!

TBH I doubt we have much to fear from teams like Tennessee with respect to losing Brohm. I could see Louisville being able to pull him away eventually, or maybe a top tier SEC team. Luckily most of the big boys have good coaches and aren't looking for a replacement.

 

[FirstDownB]

A lot of attention to the Purdue offense vs. Michigan defense matchup. IMO the other side of the ball is just as interesting. This might be the second best defense Michigan has faced so far. It's even hard believe that, but the Boiler D has improved significantly each week and the only consistent weakness has been mobile QB's, which Michigan does not have. We have actually been shockingly good stopping running backs.
The advantage Michigan has is if they can get the ball quickly into playmakers hands in space. Then it is athlete on athlete and they have better ones. But without a mobile QB who can simply 'out athlete you' when the play breaks down they have to out execute us to some degree. If they are not able to do that then I wonder how this matchup is any different than Missouri. The SEC announcers were raving about how the Missouri line was bigger than the Chiefs, yet they were unable to control the line and establish a running game.
I expect a low scoring game. The Michigan defense might stifle the Purdue offense, but it is just as likely to happen on the other side.

Note: One thing Missouri did not have the opportunity to do was wear down our defensive line. That was on their defense being on the field for 3/4 of the first half. That will not happen against Michigan, so depth could be the factor that shows up in the second half and tilts this matchup in the favor of their offensive line.

 

[Gemini95]

Guys, I appreciate your enthusiasm but we aren't scoring 35 this week. 20 would be a good showing.

 

[boiler2288]

Crucial for defense to get 3 and outs like they forced Saturday.

Quin Norden has been pretty much automatic this season up to 50yds. He even connected on a 55 yd FG. Ability to score from long range will be a concern

 

[Wolegib]

I will agree with a previous comment that our running game will be hard pressed to come close to anything they have accomplished this year.

This is our first game this year where we will be playing a team that actually plays defense. Taking an objective look at Louisville, Missouri and Ohio, none of those teams has a defense. Against Michigan, we will be facing a lot of third and long situations. And we will be facing 10 times as much physical contact than the previous three teams provided. Blough is going to be hit - a lot. Our running backs will be hit - hard. When our receivers catch a ball, they will be drilled.And our offensive line will be manhandled. Those are facts. That's how Michigan plays football. Hard, tough and physical.

The keys to our success will be holding onto the ball. Our receivers will have to hold unto the ball knowing they will be hit hard after they catch it. Our running backs will have to hold unto the ball, because they they will be gang tackled. And hopefully, Blough will already have released the ball on a pass before he is hit. I won't accuse Michigan of playing dirty. They are just a very physical team.

Our keys to success? When we have an opportunity to score, we need to take advantage of it and make it count, because there will be very few opportunities. We will need to be able to convert a lot of third and longs because I highly doubt our running game is going to provide many third and shorts. I also doubt our running game will be able to convert many third and short yardage downs. We are going to have to throw a lot into a very good secondary that will be waiting for us. The more we throw, the higher the percentage of throwing an interception. We are not going to be able to use our speed, because they also have speed. The key will be how much time our offensive line can give Blough to throw the ball.

We can't count on Michigan turnovers or the refs to win the game for us. As Brohm said in his press conference, we're going to have to mix some new plays into our offense that Michigan hasn't seen, and hope they work. I expect us to come out throwing the ball, and mixing in some deep patterns. the key will be accuracy and our receivers making the catch.

I also expect Michigan's offense to run the ball until we prove we can stop it. As somebody pointed out in the Missouri game, their defense looked gassed. I totally expect our defense to also be gassed by the end of the game as well. Hopefully they will be able to break, but not bend.

No, I do not expect Purdue to win. Primarily because I have not seen our offense play against a top defense. Michigan hasn't looked great this year. But they did beat Florida at Florida, and they did beat Air Force and Cincy who are usually bowl bound teams. I do expect Purdue to be respectable and use this game as a springboard to winning future games. And for better and worse, a lot of people will be watching this game. Purdue has a great opportunity to make a statement. Win or lose, it's a win situation for our program to build on.

 

[tjreese]

I drink a lot of Purdue Kool-Aid, but to beat Michigan would take a flawless/perfect game from our Boilers, can it be done, no doubt about it. Let's agree MI has better athletes prolly at every position to start with, so requiring PU to out perform them from the beginning, I think Brohm will go to some trickery and plays that they have been practicing but haven't used yet, and they must Work.
Gonna be a great atmosphere at Ross-Ade for sure, who Wins, don't know, but MI will know they were in one heck of a fight when the game is over!!
Let's Play Football!!

Will it be an obvious run with sparks that ends up being a pass?

 

[ivan brunetti]

TBH I doubt we have much to fear from teams like Tennessee with respect to losing Brohm. I could see Louisville being able to pull him away eventually, or maybe a top tier SEC team. Luckily most of the big boys have good coaches and aren't looking for a replacement.

Tennessee has big boy money. More than Louisville at least.

 

[MilwaukeeBoilerFan]

Guys, I appreciate your enthusiasm but we aren't scoring 35 this week. 20 would be a good showing.

You feel I overestimate and I feel as a team Purdue has built up their own confidence. I'm standing pat on PU 35 MI 24. We'll see how it plays out.

 

[GoBlue1505]

Agree with all of this.
That said, the fact that UM fans are even bothering to come to the board is a good sign for where we are headed.

Yep this game got very interesting over the last 2 weeks. Reminds me of the Colorado game last year. Everyone wrote that game off for Michigan in the pre-season but CU came out guns blazing and surprised some people.

Purdue has done the same this year.

 

[blockm2]

Agree with all of this.
That said, the fact that UM fans are even bothering to come to the board is a good sign for where we are headed.

Prior to the season I kind of assumed Michigan would win by about 4 TDs. But through this point Purdue has probably pleasantly surprised me more than any other team in the country. I still think Michigan wins, but not nearly as easily as I would've guessed a month ago.

 

[blockm2]

You feel I overestimate and I feel as a team Purdue has built up their own confidence. I'm standing pat on PU 35 MI 24. We'll see how it plays out.

while that is possible, 35 points would go down as the 2nd most points allowed in regulation in the Jim Harbaugh era at Michigan behind only the 2015 OSU team that scored 42. Would be an impressive feat to score that many points.

 

[boilerbusdriver]

It goes without saying, our 'O' has got to score and move the chains, along with burning up minutes. Our D will be tested and on long drives we have to get off the field.
Gonna be a warm one Saturday.......Stay Hydrated!!

 

[70boiler]

I'm not sure that I have any legit reason for saying this, but I think the Boilers will move the ball better than most on here believe. I think Brohm will be able to put his A-Game in gear.

 

[tjreese]

I'm not sure that I have any legit reason for saying this, but I think the Boilers will move the ball better than most on here believe. I think Brohm will be able to put his A-Game in gear.

hey why not?

 

[VAxWolverine]

I watched them play a good but not great AFA team yesterday. Their QB did not throw accurately and made some poor decisions. Michigan defense is solid but certainly vulnerable, didn't have much of a pass rush on smaller AFA OL.

We can beat these guys.

The 3-3-5 stack defense you seen against AF was installed just for that game, we will be back in the 4-3 our base d this weekend

 

[70boiler]

hey why not?

View embedded media

Well, I would be "Lovin'" an extra "Spoonful" of luck to make it a magical homecoming...

 

[SpartanJD]

Michigan's lines, O and D, are substantially better than Purdue's. That is not a knock on our boys, it is just a fact of years of better recruiting. We might play better, and scheme around that talent, but in the end, MI is going to control the line of scrimmage. Given that, I see us struggling to score and struggling to stop MI's lethargic offense.

28-14 Michigan. We will not look as good as we have in the past 3 games, but that's okay considering where we have been. Still, I think we have a "puncher's chance" as someone else said.

UMs right side OL is vulnerable

 

[SDBoiler1]

In 16 games since Don Brown took over as DC, only 3 teams have topped 14 points in the 1st half against Michigan, and only 1 of those wasn't above 14 because of defensive TDs (example Florida this year had 17 points including 2 pick 6s). FSU in the Orange Bowl last season hit Michigan for 20 points in the 1st half on some busts.

I'll be fairly surprised if Purdue can "strike early and often" on offense.

If I were a Michigan fan, I'd be more concerned about Michigan's offense. Very pedestrian so far. Speight has not looked good and Cinci and AF both had some success against Harbaugh's offense. He certainly is no Lamar Jackson, who is a better runner and passer than Speight.

I think Don Brown is a superb DC, but Brohm is an offensive genius. It will be a real treat to watch two masterminds square off.

I'm also looking forward to Harbaugh vs. Purdue DC Nick Holt. (He coached the defense at USC under Pete Carroll when they were winning NCs.)

Based on talent alone, Michigan should win this game, but based on how things have played out so far, I think this game could be very tight and that Purdue can beat UM in Ross-Ade.

 

[SDBoiler1]

I doubt we will be able to run effectively on UM, like we did against OH and MIZZOU. But, they start 3 youngsters in secondary and they have not yet even been tested by likes of Air Force or Cincy much thru the air. I suspect those quick screens and slants will work again. Longer developing routes will be problematic considering the studs they have up front and at DE who can get a strong "push" inside and on edge. It will be a challenge for sure for our OL. But that's why the Brohm brothers are considered "QB Whisperers"-I expect the Brohms will formulate a pass package that will compliment both our QB's strengths-PU wins in a nail biter!

I think our TEs will be targeted early and often vs. Michigan.

 

[SDBoiler1]

that #15 for Mich. is very tough to handle, reminds me of Joey Bosa.

Winovich

 

[SDBoiler1]

Guys, I appreciate your enthusiasm but we aren't scoring 35 this week. 20 would be a good showing.

You don't know that. Don Brown hasn't seen this offense in person before. I suspect Brohm's got some tricks up his sleeve. I bet you he's only shown about 25-30% of his offense, if that, so far. His playbook is very thick.

 

[SDBoiler1]

Yep this game got very interesting over the last 2 weeks. Reminds me of the Colorado game last year. Everyone wrote that game off for Michigan in the pre-season but CU came out guns blazing and surprised some people.

Purdue has done the same this year.

Except Brohm has done this in 3 games, while CU's coach has been there 4-5 seasons, now?

 

[boilerbusdriver]

I think our TEs will be targeted early and often vs. Michigan.

Agreed, I do think Mich. will try and shut down the passing game and force PU to run it quite a bit, however, I do agree Brohm opens up the playbook for this game, whatever that involves he will throw caution to the wind!!

 

[PaBoiler78]

Agreed, I do think Mich. will try and shut down the passing game and force PU to run it quite a bit, however, I do agree Brohm opens up the playbook for this game, whatever that involves he will throw caution to the wind!!

lots of people discussing matchups but I turnovers playing a big part in this game.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

You don't know that. Don Brown hasn't seen this offense in person before. I suspect Brohm's got some tricks up his sleeve. I bet you he's only shown about 25-30% of his offense, if that, so far. His playbook is very thick.

Brohm will and probably has looked at games from the past two to three seasons in which he will find schemes and plays that will be successful for his offense against UM's defense. He did just that by looking at what UL had been successful against Purdue in a goal line call on fourth down against Missouri. There will likely be some new things installed this week IF players are healthy enough to get the reps needed.

 

[BoilerBulldog]

Like many others, I think this game hinges on a couple critical scenarios:

1. How healthy is our D. We need McCollum and Hunte IMO.
2. Can the O get off to a good start and put up some points. A 10-0 or 10-3 start after 1 quarter would be huge. We need to take advantage of our red zone proficiency compared to their liability.
3. Turnovers as usual are key. Can Blough protect the ball and can our D steal one or two.

I don't see a high scoring game. I think it will be a major yard stick for us however. I think we cover the 10 points but am not confident we pull this off. I think the winner gets around 24 points. I'll take a puncher's chance at this point.

 

[Gemini95]

You don't know that.

Of course I don't know that. Just playing the odds, and the odds say there's maybe a 5% chance we score 35 pts. Just don't be mad when we don't.

 

[New Pal Boiler]

Of course I don't know that. Just playing the odds, and the odds say there's maybe a 5% chance we score 35 pts. Just don't be mad when we don't.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

Another major aspect that some people are discrediting but shouldn't be overlooked at all:

The new WR's (Zico, Wright, Holmes, Sparks, and Catlett) are picking up the playbook more and more as the season goes on. As you saw in the Missouri game, the more that these players are on the field...the more dimensions it gives to Purdue's offense and Brohm's ability to open up his playbook. As much as Phillips and Mahoungo are important, they are limited in their overall ability as compared to that of those players mentioned above. The one player that will be consistent is that of Anthrop as I believe he serves a very defined role in Brohm's offense as a player that can shift and move around due to his innate in-depth knowledge of the game and playbook.

If Purdue can have a good showing against a very good UM defense and continue to gain confidence, the off week comes at a great time to get healthy and get in to the playbook more and more to bring some new items and things for the last 8 weeks of the season.