Sept. 27, 2022: After dominating Michigan State 34-7 in its first real test of the season, Minnesota looks to continue rowing the boat Saturday in a Homecoming clash against Purdue.
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Broadcast Info:
- Date: Sat., Oct. 1
- TV channel: ESPN2
- Time of kickoff: 11:00 a.m. (CST)
- Broadcast team: n/a (play-by-play) & n/a (color)
- Betting line: Minnesota (-12) @ Michigan State, o/u: (53 points)
Opponent Information (Purdue):
- 2021 record: 9-4
- Music City Bowl win over Tennessee (48-45)
- 2022 record: 2-2
- @ Penn State 35-31 L
- V. Indiana State 56-0 W
- V. Syracuse 32-29 L
- V. Florida Atlantic 28-26 W
- Head Coach: Jeff Brohm (6thseason)
- Players to watch: Aidan O’Connell (QB), Charlie Jones (WR), Payne Durham (TE), Corey Trice (CB), Sanoussi Kane (S), and Jack Sullivan (DE)
Under head coach Jeff Brohm, Purdue has become one of the “friskiest” teams in the Big Ten, but last year’s nine wins were the Boilermakers’ most under Brohm as they became a serious contender in the West Division. It may seem that they have not been able to carry that momentum into the 2022 season, but having two losses by a combined seven points proves that this year is the same ole’ Purdue and there is ZERO reason for the Gophers to overlook their week five opponents.
Purdue Season Storylines:
- Finding next star wide receiver:
Under Jeff Brohm, Purdue has consistently been one of the best passing teams in the Big Ten. A large reason for that has been the consistent wide receiver talent that has come through West Lafayette. Rondale Moore broke onto the scene as one of the most dynamic playmakers in college football a few seasons ago, and David Bell picked up right where he left off, becoming a top 100 NFL draft pick by the Cleveland Browns last spring.
The question now becomes: who is next for Purdue? Senior graduate transfer Charlie Jones has been the No. 1 man in 2022. The former Buffalo and Iowa player has led Purdue with 41 catches (1st in CFB), 533 yards (3rd in CFB) and seven TDs (T1st in CFB). Those are all career-high marks for Jones, only four games through the season. He hadn’t shown that he can be a No. 1 option before this season, but it seems like he is the next dominant Purdue WR based on the production he has.
- What is Purdue’s ceiling under Jeff Brohm?:
Purdue has recently become the “giant killers” with what seems like a big-time upset on the road every season. It has proven to be able to compete with the top of the conference but still hasn’t made a trip to Indianapolis. Last season might’ve been the best chance, as they went were second in the division, before losing George Karlaftis and David Bell to the NFL Draft. It seemed as if everything bounced right for Purdue, and it still wasn’t able to win the division, so the question now becomes: was that the ceiling?
- Ranking Aidan O’Connell amongst Big Ten QBs:
Heading into 2022, you could make a realistic argument, that Aidan O’Connell was the second-best quarterback in the Big Ten. With 3,712 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 INTs, it seemed like he took a massive step forward as a player. Ohio State’s CJ Stroud was in a clear class of his own this preseason, and it seemed as if O’Connell might be No. 2. Fast forward to week four, he had an impressive three-week stretch to start the season of 1,000 yards, 8 TDs and only 1 INT, but a rib injury in week four held him out against FAU. You could argue that Tanner Morgan has jumped into that No. 2 spot, but when healthy O’Connell is still one of the best QBs in the conference.
Gophers’ path to victory:
This game makes me more nervous than last week against Michigan State. P.J. Fleck and the Gophers had bulletin board material and could’ve said the country had disrespected them, it was their first road test against a Big Ten opponent and there was serious reason for them to be motivated. Now ranked in the AP Poll, they welcome “giant killers” Purdue in a Homecoming game, where the Boilermakers could return their QB and a handful of contributors coming off a close win over FAU. This has all of the recipes of a trap game.
Aidan O’Connell’s health might be factor No. 1 in this game. Purdue looked lost against a relatively average FAU team at home without him last week. If he doesn’t play again this week, I fancy the Gophers’ chances. If he does play, I think the Boilermakers have the offense to be the first team to find some success against this Gophers defense. Minnesota’s strength comes in the secondary and Purdue’s in the passing attack, so it will be strength on strength, but I think it will be the best offense the Maroon & Gold have played this season.
Overall, it would be obvious to say the Gophers need to just do what they’ve been doing. But I think Purdue is the best team Minnesota has played so far this season and they might be their best competition in the Big Ten West. I am a tad surprised, that Minnesota is favored by 12 points and I think the market might’ve overreacted to the win over Michigan State. I still like the Gophers to get passed Purdue, but I do not think it will be as dominant as it has been.