PURDUE BOILERMAKERS | Game 6 | MINNESOTA GOPHERS |
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Date: | October 18, 2014 | Location: | Minneapolis, MN |
Time: | 11:00 AM Central | Stadium: | TCF Bank Stadium |
TV: | Big Ten Network | Radio: | KOOL 108 (107.9 FM) Gophers Radio Network XM Ch 84 Sirius Ch 84 |
Internet Stream: | BTN2Go.com BTN2Go Mobile App | Know Thy Foe: | Hammer and Rails |
Weather: | 55 degrees, partly sunny, 14 mph winds out of W | ||
Line: | Minnesota by -13.5 |
3 Keys, 2 Players to Watch, 1 Prediction
Avoid Penalties - So this hasn't been a major problem, since we have been winning for the most part, but we are one of the more highly penalized teams in the Big Ten. Fortunately this hasn't exactly hurt us but this would be the appropriate place to put in the word "yet". We had 10 penalties against San Jose State, we had 7 against Michigan (to their 2) and we had 6 against Northwestern. I'd really like to see a cleaner game this afternoon and not do anything stupid to help out Purdue.
Do Our Thing - The real keys should be the same every single week. Run the ball well, execute play-action, win the field position battle and don't give up big plays on defense. Basically play our game and don't try to be something we are not. I really wouldn't mind seeing a similar gameplan to the San Jose State game. Run then ball till they stop us and if we only throw 7 passes then we only throw 7 passes.
No Big Plays - I sort of said this as part of #2 but I wanted to emphasize it. Don't give up any big plays. I think if we make Purdue grind it out with long drives, we'll be just fine and stop them more often than they will stop us. But we just cannot give them big plays to gain confidence and momentum. Make them earn every yard, I think it will lead to more tunovers and punts than it will points.
OPPOSING PLAYERS TO WATCH
- #1 - RB - Akeem Hunt - Purdue's most productive offensive player. Hunt leads the team in rushing, is second in receptions and you may see the senior returning kicks as well.
- #24 - DB - Frankie Williams - 2nd on the team in tackles, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery, 9 passes defensed and 3 interceptions. A rather productive individual. Williams is a junior DB out of Florida.
PREDICTION
Purdue is getting better but I still see this as one of the few games where if we do the things that we normally do well and don't make any big mistakes we should win this one. I don't want to diminish any Big Ten team (except for Illinois), they are certainly talented enough to flat out beat the Gophers. But I see a Minnesota win tomorrow and a 6-1 record.
Minnesota - 31
Purdue - 21