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Know Your Opponent: Purdue Boilermakers - GopherHole.com
Before every game, I ask a reporter who covers the Gophers’ upcoming opponent to give us a view from the opponent’s perspective. This week, I asked Jordan Jones from GoldandBlack.com six questions about the Purdue Boilermakers The Minnesota Golden Gophers host the Boilermakers for their...
Before every game, I ask a reporter who covers the Gophers’ upcoming opponent to give us a view from the opponent’s perspective.
This week, I asked Jordan Jones from GoldandBlack.com six questions about the Purdue Boilermakers
The Minnesota Golden Gophers host the Boilermakers for their homecoming game this Saturday. Both teams are looking to get back to the winning column after a loss last week. P.J. Fleck is 4-3 against the Boilermakers as the coach of the Gophers, but has lost the previous two meetings.
Huge thanks to Jordan for sharing his thoughts with us!
1. A new head coach is leading Purdue after just two years under Ryan Walters. It is now the Barry Odom era in West Lafayette. Odom brought in more than 50 players via the transfer portal. What is the atmosphere like with Odom at the helm? What were the expectations of this Boilermaker team heading into the 2025 season? In your opinion, have they met those expectations six games into the season?
Odom brings a meat-and-potatoes, classic "football guy" approach to West Lafayette. After a 43-27 loss to Illinois last week, he didn't hide his frustration, calling the effort from his coaching staff and players alike "awful." Purdue fans didn't enter 2025 with high expectations following a truly disastrous 1-11 campaign in 2024 that led to Ryan Walters' dismissal. More than anything, Purdue fans wanted to see the Boilermakers play hard for 60 minutes each week and compete better than they did the previous season. Through five games, Purdue has delivered on that. The limitations of the roster can't be denied, and Odom doesn't take much solace in simply playing hard, but it's a marked improvement over what Purdue fans saw last fall.
2. The Purdue offense is averaging just about 400 yards per game, which is ninth in the Big Ten. When it comes to scoring, the Boilermakers are 14th in the Big Ten, averaging 27.8 points per game. What is the strength of the Boilermakers' offense? What is an area that needs improvement?
The passing game looked like Purdue's biggest question mark entering the season, and it's turned out to be the biggest strength. In a modern-day college football story, Ryan Browne left Purdue after last season, participated in spring practice at North Carolina, and then returned to Purdue for the 2025 season. So far, he's been strong. Some inopportune interceptions against USC loom large on the stat sheet, but he's delivered for the most part. Michael Jackson III and Nitro Tuggle have emerged as strong options at wideout, making for a nice passing game. On the flip side, Purdue's run game remains inconsistent. Purdue ranks 16th in the conference in rushing, as the offensive line struggles to give veteran tailback Devin Mockobee much room to wiggle through. The run game saw success against Illinois, but Purdue needs that to continue moving forward to create balance on offense.
3. The Boilermakers' defense is allowing 399 yards per game, which is last in the conference. They are allowing 29.8 points per game, which is the third-to-last in the league. It has sacked the Quarterback 31 times, which ranks 9th in the Big Ten. What are the strengths of this Boilermaker's defense? If you’re the Minnesota offense, how would you attack the Purdue defense?
With the exception of Notre Dame and its renowned rushing attack, Purdue has defended the run fairly well. It held Illinois below three yards per carry, and it did well against USC, especially early on. The downside? The pass defense has struggled mightily. Over the past two games, CJ Carr and Luke Altmyer combined for just five incomplete passes against this Purdue defense. The pass rush remains inconsistent at best, putting a disproportionate amount of pressure on a limited secondary to contain the opposing passing game. Illinois saw five passes go for 35+ yards last week. Until Purdue shows it can prevent big plays, I expect to see opposing offenses take shots downfield early and often.
4. As I mentioned earlier, Odom brought in several players through the transfer portal. What players have made an immediate impact for Purdue so far this season? Can you name some players for Gophers fans who can be difference-makers this Saturday?
As mentioned above, Browne's transfer back to Purdue is a story that can only happen in this era of college football. He started two games for Purdue last season, but he's made a huge impact since transferring back from North Carolina. All of the pass catchers he'll work with are new to the program, and just a few returners see action on defense. Linebackers Mani Powell and Charles Correa followed Odom from UNLV, and they've excelled early on this season. Myles Slusher and Tahj-Ra El have impressed at safety, and the pass defense should get help with the return of corner Tony Grimes after an injury in practice forced him to miss last week's contest.
5. The Gophers have had their fair share of injuries this year. Are there any players in jeopardy of missing the game this Saturday?
Keep an eye on Grimes. A former five-star recruit, the fifth-year senior is Purdue's top corner. Starting left guard Jalen St. John left last week's game on a cart, and he was limited in Monday's practice, per Odom. Purdue's top tight end, George Burhenn, will miss this one, and top interior defensive lineman TJ Lindsey underwent knee surgery and will miss the rest of the season. As a whole, though, Purdue's stayed relatively healthy, all things considered.
6. Purdue travels to Minneapolis looking for its first Big Ten victory of the season. The Gophers look to bounce back after a visit from Columbus. The Gophers lead the all-time series against Purdue with a record of 41-35-3. P.J. Fleck is 4-3 against Purdue at Minnesota. The Gophers are 7-point favorites on Homecoming. What does Purdue need to do to leave Minneapolis with a victory? What is your prediction for the game?
Purdue is searching for its first Big Ten win since the 2023 season finale, a 35-31 win over Indiana. Purdue must contain Minnesota through the air. Opposing quarterbacks are getting whatever they want far too easily against this defense. That must change. The Boilermakers committed too many careless mistakes to win last week. As a road underdog, Purdue needs to be nearly flawless to pull an upset. I'll pick Minnesota to win this one in a 35-28 affair.
