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Michigan is beatable

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 think every Michigan fan is concerned about getting the offense straightened out. I also think that Don Brown is the best DC in the college game. He has decades of experience and has made a living defeating spread offenses working his way up from smaller schools to the big time.
 
I think every Michigan fan is concerned about getting the offense straightened out. I also think that Don Brown is the best DC in the college game. He has decades of experience and has made a living defeating spread offenses working his way up from smaller schools to the big time.
Brown versus Brohm will be fun to watch.
 
I think every Michigan fan is concerned about getting the offense straightened out. I also think that Don Brown is the best DC in the college game. He has decades of experience and has made a living defeating spread offenses working his way up from smaller schools to the big time.
What you don't seem to get is that Purdue is not "just a spread team" under Brohm like under Joe Tiller. His offense is "multiple" and uses spread, Air Raid, Wildcat, Strong/Weak, I Formation, Pistol, and just about every other formation known to man. Brohm's playbook is VERY thick. Michigan will be shown things that haven't been shown on tape before, at least for Purdue.

Don Brown is an excellent DC. Don't you think Brohm will be talking to Petrino and the Louisville boys about Don Brown and his schemes? Petrino faced Brown when he was at BC a few times, right?
 
Early line today has Purdue getting 10. 10????!!!!????? Hasn't Michigan had top 5 recruiting classes the last 2 years??? Purdue has a bunch of 2 star, 1 star, zero star players. Shouldn't the line be somewhere around 24-30??? Anything less than a 25-point win should be considered a loss in Ann Arbor!

#BoilerUp
 
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!
FSU scored 32 on Michigan in the Orange Bowl, Florida scored 17 against Michigan (14 on pick 6's), OSU scored like 20 against Michigan but you think Purdue is going to score 35! The Michigan Dline is top 5 in the country, and this years linebackers are better than last year.

Purdue may win if Michigan turns the ball over 3 times but no way does Purdue offense score 35 on this Michigan defense.
 
FSU scored 32 on Michigan in the Orange Bowl, Florida scored 17 against Michigan (14 on pick 6's), OSU scored like 20 against Michigan but you think Purdue is going to score 35! The Michigan Dline is top 5 in the country, and this years linebackers are better than last year.

Purdue may win if Michigan turns the ball over 3 times but no way does Purdue offense score 35 on this Michigan defense.
Purdue 35 MI 24
I'm riding that horse all the way to the barn! When the Purdue win happens regardless of score, I'll be the first on here to tell MI fans to eat crow. I've not said "win" against Michigan since the Tiller era and then it was seldom even when we had matching talent. In this case, MI has superior talent, BUT MI offense is LETHARGIC. Purdue will find a way to the endzone enough to demoralize the entire MI team, frustration mounts and our points pour on. MI will not be able to keep track race pace with our points. No doubt about it, at the beginning of the season, I nor likely no other Purdue fan had this game thought of as a W. I do now after watching enough two MI games the last two weeks to say MI will be toppled this week. I'm not a Vegas betting person nor will I lay money where my mouth is. I'm just calling it as I see it.
Both Cincinnati and Air Force were closer games than they should have been due to MI LETHARGIC offense. Due that against Purdue, will take advantage and get ahead, then keep the pedal to the metal till the whistle. Brohm (brothers) and Holt are much better than most anyone thought.
The only reason MI will lose is due to the Offensive side of the ball. I don't see that getting corrected in a week preparation.
 
Purdue 35 MI 24
I'm riding that horse all the way to the barn! When the Purdue win happens regardless of score, I'll be the first on here to tell MI fans to eat crow. I've not said "win" against Michigan since the Tiller era and then it was seldom even when we had matching talent. In this case, MI has superior talent, BUT MI offense is LETHARGIC. Purdue will find a way to the endzone enough to demoralize the entire MI team, frustration mounts and our points pour on. MI will not be able to keep track race pace with our points. No doubt about it, at the beginning of the season, I nor likely no other Purdue fan had this game thought of as a W. I do now after watching enough two MI games the last two weeks to say MI will be toppled this week. I'm not a Vegas betting person nor will I lay money where my mouth is. I'm just calling it as I see it.
Both Cincinnati and Air Force were closer games than they should have been due to MI LETHARGIC offense. Due that against Purdue, will take advantage and get ahead, then keep the pedal to the metal till the whistle. Brohm (brothers) and Holt are much better than most anyone thought.
The only reason MI will lose is due to the Offensive side of the ball. I don't see that getting corrected in a week preparation.

I love your enthusiasm. I don't share it but I do love it.

This is going to be a very tough game. Michigan knows it and they will be ready. They're exceptionally well coached and probably the top 4-5 talented team in the country. We will need to play flawlessly to win IMO.

But we have a chance. And at this stage in rebuild (i.e. 3 weeks after everyone picked us last in the West), that's pretty good progress. I know I'm excited to see how it plays out.
 
Early line today has Purdue getting 10. 10????!!!!????? Hasn't Michigan had top 5 recruiting classes the last 2 years??? Purdue has a bunch of 2 star, 1 star, zero star players. Shouldn't the line be somewhere around 24-30??? Anything less than a 25-point win should be considered a loss in Ann Arbor!

#BoilerUp
Michigan is also incredibly young...graduating/early entries numbered 9 or 10 from that defense last year. The fact they are still this good on defense is a testament to their depth...but the offense has consistently been an issue and they don't have their all-world everything Jabril Peppers to bail them out at times. If UM can establish their running game and allow their QB to throw the ball less than 20 times, Purdue will be incredibly lucky to keep it within 10. On the flip side, if Purdue can force UM to put the game in the hands of their QB and slow down UM to be more methodical....Purdue has a chance as UM has shown a propensity to stub their toes.
 
I think we have a chance, but our field goal kicker(s) will have to make 3+ field goals for us to win. I see coach Brohm throwing everything at the Michigan defense and have some success but also has trouble getting over the hump and into the end zone. With Michigan offense still struggling put up points.

PU 26, Michigan 24 (PU win with 4 field goals & 2 TD).
 
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If Michigan plays well, they win. Purdue needs some help.

I expect a 24-13 type game but Purdue certainly has a chance
Yep. Speight ain't ripe yet and he hasn't been in a tight game.

FYI, I was there in 1976 when unranked Purdue knocked off # 1 Michigan 16-14.

9/11 *Wisconsin (5-6) W 40 27
9/18 vs. Stanford (6-5) W 51 0
9/25 vs. Navy (4-7) W 70 14
10/2 vs. Wake Forest (5-6) W 31 0
10/9 vs. *Michigan State (4-6-1) W 42 10
10/16 @ *Northwestern (1-10) W 38 7
10/23 @ *Indiana (5-6) W 35 0
10/30 vs. *Minnesota (6-5) W 45 0
11/6 @ *Purdue (5-6) L 14 16
11/13 vs. *Illinois (5-6) W 38 7
11/20 @ *Ohio State (9-2-1) W 22 0
1/1 vs. Southern California (11-1) L 6 14 @ Pasadena, CA Rose Bowl

10-2-0

432 95

I was there as well, while a freshman at Purdue. Lots of talent on that Purdue team, but a very disappointing year, other than the big win over top-ranked Michigan. Probably the best news from that year was the eventual hiring of Jim Young, who turned things around at Purdue in a big way...
 
I think we have a chance, but our field goal kicker(s) will have to make 3+ field goals for us to win. I see coach Brohm throwing everything at the Michigan defense and have some success but also has trouble getting over the hump and into the end zone. With Michigan offense still struggling put up points.

PU 26, Michigan 24 (PU win with 4 field goals & 2 TD).
Great point on FGs. I would like to see more consistency out of Dellinger and/or Evans.
 
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.

Purdue has an impressive front 7. That is where all their experience is. CJB did a very good job at getting defensive backs as well. Their biggest issue is depth. Holt and co. has done a tremendous job getting these young men ready. With Michigan out their number one WR, things get really tricky for them.

Purdue has all the tools to pull off the upset, and this would be a big upset. Michigan will be going in with a lot of high ranked players. CJB has these young men playing with all their hearts and a belief they can steal one. I love the improvement Blough has shown. His decision making is light years better, and his accuracy is outstanding.

Keys to the game:

1)Win the turnover battle. Purdue will need all the help they can get. If they can manage 2-3 takeaways while only giving up 0-2, they have a shot.

2)Get out fast and score. I love that CJB wanted the ball first at Missouri. He broke them early and they never had a shot. Michigan isn't built to come from behind, just got to punch them in the mouth early.

3)Find a way to get pressure. Michigan has a big physical line and Purdue has struggled getting sacks. They at least need to make their QB uncomfortable, because he will make mistakes.

4)The fans. That's right, we got a role in this one. Often times against good teams, the visitors take over the stands and we lose the advantage. Michigan doesn't travel as well as say OSU or ND, but there better be lots of gold and black and we better be loud. If we get after them early, the crowd can help them stay frustrated.
 
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StickPurdue, point #2 is our moment that I think coach has our boys thinking. Jump them early, then pace them to the end. I'm thinking everything we have and the kitchen sink will be thrown at them. This is what makes it fun to watch. Risk for reward.
Another poster stated this earlier as well. Purdue does not really have the bullseye pressure on them like MI does. We can play hard yet "relaxed" in that there is no expectation to win from a majority of fans and sports writers. MI on the other hand is expected to Win. Get their offense stifled and make their QB to have to throw and we should keep it the game. Pressure is on MI not Purdue. That is good for us as little mistakes happen when playing tense.
 
Some of the comments are out there, I understand the enthusiasm but some perspective.
You beat Missouri, South Carolina beat them too and then lost to Kentucky at home
Ohio #65 total defense
Louisville #107
Missouri #104
Michigan #5
Out of 129 teams
Brown versus Brohm will be fun to watch.
 
Some of the comments are out there, I understand the enthusiasm but some perspective.
You beat Missouri, they lost to Kentucky
Ohio #65 total defense
Louisville #107
Missouri #104
Michigan #5
Out of 129 teams

Louisville just got done playing Clemson who would put up huge numbers against any defense. Michigan hasn't played an elite or innovative offense. Look, Purdue doesn't need to get 400 yards on offense, just a few big plays and hope that they struggled offensively. Very possible. The facts that you slipped over to a Purdue board and comment tells me at least we have your attention. Wouldn't have gotten that over the last 5-10 years.
 
Some of the comments are out there, I understand the enthusiasm but some perspective.
You beat Missouri, South Carolina beat them too and then lost to Kentucky at home
Ohio #65 total defense
Louisville #107
Missouri #104
Michigan #5
Out of 129 teams
One could argue their defensive ratings suck in part because they played us....:)
 
One could argue their defensive ratings suck in part because they played us....:)
Missouri got blew out by South Carolina who got beat at home by Kentucky.
You haven't faced a defense like Michigans. They will shut down the run, it's been stated this is the fastest defense to ever play at Michigan.
And then Harbaugh will have this team ready to play.
 
Missouri got blew out by South Carolina who got beat at home by Kentucky.
You haven't faced a defense like Michigans. They will shut down the run, it's been stated this is the fastest defense to ever play at Michigan.
And then Harbaugh will have this team ready to play.
No one’s saying your defense isn’t the best we’ve faced. But to use team rankings after three games without any common opponents is arbitrary. Your ranking at this point in the year is as much a function of whom you’ve played as it is how good you are. That’s all.
 
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Ok, I'll bite.
MI #5 defense + MI #72 offense
PURDUE #45 offense + PURDUE #68 defense

I look at those #'s from NCAA.com website and see that those are just #'s. This game will be played on the grid iron not on NCAA website. PURDUE is a much more balanced offensive team this year even compared to the coach Tiller era of spread offense. MI will have offensive schemes thrown at them which they haven't seen yet. If the "everything and the kitchen sink" method works, it will be a special day for PURDUE. Meanwhile, MI offense which has been Lethargic the past two games shows problems at QB and overall performance.
I know this, I'm not lurking on MI rivals site posting, I'm not worried. Are you?
 
Michigan is certainly beatable, but they certainly have a ferocious pass rush. Hard to pass rush Air Force when they almost never throw it and your DL is more worried about looking for misdirections and watching out for cut blocks. Against a straight drop back pass, I'd venture a guess that only Ohio State in the conference can rival Michigan for pass rush ability.
This is the correct observation.
 
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.
Under Coach Harbaugh Michigan does not take anyone lightly, ever!
 
Early line today has Purdue getting 10. 10????!!!!????? Hasn't Michigan had top 5 recruiting classes the last 2 years??? Purdue has a bunch of 2 star, 1 star, zero star players. Shouldn't the line be somewhere around 24-30??? Anything less than a 25-point win should be considered a loss in Ann Arbor!

#BoilerUp
Any W in any game is still a W. We like them all.
 
Some of the comments are out there, I understand the enthusiasm but some perspective.
You beat Missouri, South Carolina beat them too and then lost to Kentucky at home
Ohio #65 total defense
Louisville #107
Missouri #104
Michigan #5
Out of 129 teams
You need some perspective too.

Very misleading. Louisville has played Purdue, North Carolina, and defending NC Clemson so far. All three school have offenses with excellent OCs. Almost any team playing that schedule will have bad defensive numbers so far.

Missouri has played an FBS school that can score and put up points, Purdue, and South Carolina. They fired their DC after the South Carolina game, and have a dumpster fire of a program right now. Kind of like Purdue under D-Haze.

Michigan played Florida, Cincinnati and Air Force so far. Florida has a horrible offense with a FR QB, especially for an SEC school. Air Force has no passing attack to speak of. Cincinnati did not have a great offense either. Michigan has a great DC, but they haven't exactly playing high-powered offensive teams yet.
 
Athletic budgets 2017

UT. $122,000,000
UL. $113,000,000

It is not so much athletic budgets as it is old money boosters. Tennessee football has a LOT more older, wealthier fans than does Louisville football. The Vols are arguably the SEC's second most successful program all time.
 
Michigan played Florida, Cincinnati and Air Force so far. Florida has a horrible offense with a FR QB, especially for an SEC school. Air Force has no passing attack to speak of. Cincinnati did not have a great offense either. Michigan has a great DC, but they haven't exactly playing high-powered offensive teams yet.

Some thoughts from another board on the Boilermaker's offense:

"1) Jeff Brohm is an amazing coach and Purdue is going to be legitimately good sooner rather than later, but there are reasons to be skeptical of Purdue's offense, some statistical and some based on the eye test.

2) First, the level of competition they've played on defense has been absolutely abysmal. Louisville got completely lit up by both Clemson and North Carolina but held Purdue pretty much in check barring a few good third down passes in the red zone. 35 points against Missouri starts to look less impressive when you realize Mizzou coughed up an average of 37 to South Carolina (which has a bad offense) and Missouri State. Ohio is Ohio - I guess we can say that Purdue did better on offense against them than Kansas did, but not *that* much better. And Kansas has one of the worst offenses in FBS. It's too early for opponent adjustments yet, but these are three defenses who have let all opponents move the ball very, very efficiently against them.

3) Purdue's offense is designed to be an efficiency machine. They don't have any home run hitting backs, and their top two receiving targets are both capital P possession guys. But why is Purdue's offense efficient? It's because they run effectively as a constraint and a have a high completion percentage of short throws. But, but - they are not getting guys open short by throwing off a lot of three step drops. Brohm's offense uses a lot of precise and somewhat complicated routes to shake off man coverage and find holes in zones, and those routes take time to develop. Purdue gives up a lot of sacks for a precision throwing team, and once Louisville was up one score and the threat of the run was removed as a constraint, its pass rush was getting home on almost every play. Purdue's interior pass blocking is particularly suspect. Adjust for the quality of opposition faced, consider that their line is bad at pass blocking, add in the fact that Michigan's pass rush gets home quick, and Purdue's efficiency starts to look a lot less intimidating.

4) Purdue's run game is a sideshow. They used it effectively on short yardage against Louisville and it was just good enough to act as a constraint, but that's pretty much it. They pull their guards a fair bit to try to overpower one side and spring Fuller out wide, but they're not even going to try to run in between the tackles against us. And unlike Louisville I think we'll be able to keep them from converting on 3rd and short.

5) I don't think this is an offense that's going to be inefficient but hit its share of big plays against us. It doesn't pass the eye test - none of their receivers are threats to get over the top of the defense and they don't have a home run hitter at running back. Their big pass plays have mostly come off unforced busts by the defense or trick plays. They do use the tight ends down the seam effectively off play action, but we don't have to respect the play action and again, those plays take a little time to develop. There's just not much athleticism there.

6) Purdue has a big playbook and uses misdirection well (expect a lot of tunnel screens), but any success they have is going to be occasional RPS things. Our 3-3-5 is tailor made to smother an offense like this, Purdue's receivers aren't good enough to get open quickly against our DBs, and they're rarely going to have time to run slower developing routes. They'll do better than Florida or Cincy, but not by much. "
 
Our defense is really the side that has carried us at this point. But a few 3 and outs against Michigan's defense, and they will wear down quickly. Optimism is great, but if you really break this down, it plays to our weaknesses. This is the type of game that will potentially define Blough's legacy here.
 
Some thoughts from another board on the Boilermaker's offense:

"1) Jeff Brohm is an amazing coach and Purdue is going to be legitimately good sooner rather than later, but there are reasons to be skeptical of Purdue's offense, some statistical and some based on the eye test.

2) First, the level of competition they've played on defense has been absolutely abysmal. Louisville got completely lit up by both Clemson and North Carolina but held Purdue pretty much in check barring a few good third down passes in the red zone. 35 points against Missouri starts to look less impressive when you realize Mizzou coughed up an average of 37 to South Carolina (which has a bad offense) and Missouri State. Ohio is Ohio - I guess we can say that Purdue did better on offense against them than Kansas did, but not *that* much better. And Kansas has one of the worst offenses in FBS. It's too early for opponent adjustments yet, but these are three defenses who have let all opponents move the ball very, very efficiently against them.

3) Purdue's offense is designed to be an efficiency machine. They don't have any home run hitting backs, and their top two receiving targets are both capital P possession guys. But why is Purdue's offense efficient? It's because they run effectively as a constraint and a have a high completion percentage of short throws. But, but - they are not getting guys open short by throwing off a lot of three step drops. Brohm's offense uses a lot of precise and somewhat complicated routes to shake off man coverage and find holes in zones, and those routes take time to develop. Purdue gives up a lot of sacks for a precision throwing team, and once Louisville was up one score and the threat of the run was removed as a constraint, its pass rush was getting home on almost every play. Purdue's interior pass blocking is particularly suspect. Adjust for the quality of opposition faced, consider that their line is bad at pass blocking, add in the fact that Michigan's pass rush gets home quick, and Purdue's efficiency starts to look a lot less intimidating.

4) Purdue's run game is a sideshow. They used it effectively on short yardage against Louisville and it was just good enough to act as a constraint, but that's pretty much it. They pull their guards a fair bit to try to overpower one side and spring Fuller out wide, but they're not even going to try to run in between the tackles against us. And unlike Louisville I think we'll be able to keep them from converting on 3rd and short.

5) I don't think this is an offense that's going to be inefficient but hit its share of big plays against us. It doesn't pass the eye test - none of their receivers are threats to get over the top of the defense and they don't have a home run hitter at running back. Their big pass plays have mostly come off unforced busts by the defense or trick plays. They do use the tight ends down the seam effectively off play action, but we don't have to respect the play action and again, those plays take a little time to develop. There's just not much athleticism there.

6) Purdue has a big playbook and uses misdirection well (expect a lot of tunnel screens), but any success they have is going to be occasional RPS things. Our 3-3-5 is tailor made to smother an offense like this, Purdue's receivers aren't good enough to get open quickly against our DBs, and they're rarely going to have time to run slower developing routes. They'll do better than Florida or Cincy, but not by much. "
There's some truth there, but I don't agree with number 4. We use a lot of misdirection and pulls but we can run up the middle. I remember running and scoring on mizzou without pulling.
 
It is not so much athletic budgets as it is old money boosters. Tennessee football has a LOT more older, wealthier fans than does Louisville football. The Vols are arguably the SEC's second most successful program all time.
the Ville has my backing.

GettyImages-474646336.jpg
 
It is not so much athletic budgets as it is old money boosters. Tennessee football has a LOT more older, wealthier fans than does Louisville football. The Vols are arguably the SEC's second most successful program all time.
That's actually an argument AGAINST Brohm ever wanting to take that Tennessee job. Those old, rich boosters are a pain in the butt - One down season, and a handful of those guys get together and buy out your contract.
 
That's actually an argument AGAINST Brohm ever wanting to take that Tennessee job. Those old, rich boosters are a pain in the butt - One down season, and a handful of those guys get together and buy out your contract.

Hmmm. More money is the kind of headache most coaches prefer to have.

For the good of the conference, I hope Brohm stays for a long time. It sucks when a rising coach bolts for the SEC or the NFL.
 
Hmmm. More money is the kind of headache most coaches prefer to have.

For the good of the conference, I hope Brohm stays for a long time. It sucks when a rising coach bolts for the SEC or the NFL.
Brohm isn't worried about money. He'll get it here, at UL, in the NFL, etc. He seems confident enough that he doesn't need to grasp at the biggest guaranteed contract if it comes with irrational boosters that will boot him after a bad season.
 
Hmmm. More money is the kind of headache most coaches prefer to have.

For the good of the conference, I hope Brohm stays for a long time. It sucks when a rising coach bolts for the SEC or the NFL.
you're right but Purdue isn't a destination job in my book so I'm going to enjoy what Brohm will do at our school. I always admired Capt Kirk over at Iowa in regards to how loyal he is to that program.
 
We could have scored 60. Brohm completely let up in the 2nd half.
Agreed. Purdue had 370 yards of offense in the first half against Mizzou. We led 28-3, and Brohm played more vanilla in the second half. Why show more than you need to, when we play the Wolverines next?
 
Some thoughts from another board on the Boilermaker's offense:

"1) Jeff Brohm is an amazing coach and Purdue is going to be legitimately good sooner rather than later, but there are reasons to be skeptical of Purdue's offense, some statistical and some based on the eye test.

2) First, the level of competition they've played on defense has been absolutely abysmal. Louisville got completely lit up by both Clemson and North Carolina but held Purdue pretty much in check barring a few good third down passes in the red zone. 35 points against Missouri starts to look less impressive when you realize Mizzou coughed up an average of 37 to South Carolina (which has a bad offense) and Missouri State. Ohio is Ohio - I guess we can say that Purdue did better on offense against them than Kansas did, but not *that* much better. And Kansas has one of the worst offenses in FBS. It's too early for opponent adjustments yet, but these are three defenses who have let all opponents move the ball very, very efficiently against them.

3) Purdue's offense is designed to be an efficiency machine. They don't have any home run hitting backs, and their top two receiving targets are both capital P possession guys. But why is Purdue's offense efficient? It's because they run effectively as a constraint and a have a high completion percentage of short throws. But, but - they are not getting guys open short by throwing off a lot of three step drops. Brohm's offense uses a lot of precise and somewhat complicated routes to shake off man coverage and find holes in zones, and those routes take time to develop. Purdue gives up a lot of sacks for a precision throwing team, and once Louisville was up one score and the threat of the run was removed as a constraint, its pass rush was getting home on almost every play. Purdue's interior pass blocking is particularly suspect. Adjust for the quality of opposition faced, consider that their line is bad at pass blocking, add in the fact that Michigan's pass rush gets home quick, and Purdue's efficiency starts to look a lot less intimidating.

4) Purdue's run game is a sideshow. They used it effectively on short yardage against Louisville and it was just good enough to act as a constraint, but that's pretty much it. They pull their guards a fair bit to try to overpower one side and spring Fuller out wide, but they're not even going to try to run in between the tackles against us. And unlike Louisville I think we'll be able to keep them from converting on 3rd and short.

5) I don't think this is an offense that's going to be inefficient but hit its share of big plays against us. It doesn't pass the eye test - none of their receivers are threats to get over the top of the defense and they don't have a home run hitter at running back. Their big pass plays have mostly come off unforced busts by the defense or trick plays. They do use the tight ends down the seam effectively off play action, but we don't have to respect the play action and again, those plays take a little time to develop. There's just not much athleticism there.

6) Purdue has a big playbook and uses misdirection well (expect a lot of tunnel screens), but any success they have is going to be occasional RPS things. Our 3-3-5 is tailor made to smother an offense like this, Purdue's receivers aren't good enough to get open quickly against our DBs, and they're rarely going to have time to run slower developing routes. They'll do better than Florida or Cincy, but not by much. "
Whoever wrote this is seriously drinking the blue-colored Kool-Aid.

Michigan fans are in for a rude awakening if they think Purdue is going to be a pushover. Purdue's offense will be by far the best one they've faced so far. Some Michigan people seem to think Brohm uses a Joe Tiller-style spread. Wrong!

Brohm uses a "multiple" offense that includes spread, Air Raid, Pistol, Strong/Weak, I formation, Wildcat, and almost every other offensive scheme known to man. The playbook is VERY thick, and Michigan should expect to see things Saturday that they haven't seen before - maybe not even on Western Kentucky tape. Don Brown is a seriously good, but I bet even he has some concerns with Brohm's offense right now.

Also, Michigan has serious issues with its own offense. Wilton Speight has been below average for sure. Nick Holt, Purdue DC, worked as DC for Pete Carroll at USC - he's very good. He will know how to handle Harbugh's offense. Michigan has excellent athletes, but they aren't playing on field turf in this game, so their speed advantage is somewhat mitigated.
 
Let's put this really simply for our friends from the north..

Purdue's offense has not been effectively stopped through 3 games in the Brohm era. Is this an offense that is only capable of exploiting bad defenses? We'll find out Saturday.

Michigan's offense blows goats against everyone. Ok, that's an overstatement. But they are consistently mediocre.
 
Let's put this really simply for our friends from the north..

Purdue's offense has not been effectively stopped through 3 games in the Brohm era. Is this an offense that is only capable of exploiting bad defenses? We'll find out Saturday.

Michigan's offense blows goats against everyone.
Michigan may argue this. Brohm's offense averaged 44.7 ppg over the previous three seasons, which led the NCAA over that time. It was remarkably consistent. Say what they will, but it's hard to argue with a 32-11 coaching record, 3 straight bowl games at WKU, and two straight conference championships at WKU.

Michigan has its hands full and I think Harbaugh and Don Brown know this, even if their fanbase refuses to believe it.
 
Michigan may argue this. Brohm's offense averaged 44.7 ppg over the previous three seasons, which led the NCAA over that time. It was remarkably consistent. Say what they will, but it's hard to argue with a 32-11 coaching record, 3 straight bowl games at WKU, and two straight conference championships at WKU.

Michigan has its hands full and I think Harbaugh and Don Brown know this, even if their fanbase refuses to believe it.
The point is one can only speculate whether their D is good enough to overcome our O. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt - it is a reasonable question. Remember, our offense struggled against our own defense in fall camp.
However.. for their O there already is an established trend, and it's not a good one. If we're talking about bucking trends, they'll need to buck at least one of them to win and both of them to win easily.
 
the Ville has my backing.
I hope you're joking. The emergence of Louisville over the past 20 years has not been good for Purdue and IU. Take a look at their rosters in football, men's hoops and women's hoops. They've been getting better athletes out of Indiana than we have.

They're a top 25 team in all three sports every year. It seems many kids don't care about Louisville's abysmal academics nor its corrupt administration.
 
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