Wisconsin took care of the two newcomers in emphatic 89-7 fashion, but now its about to get real as UW tackles the rest of the Big Ten West for the season. It all starts with a trip to West Lafayette, Ind. to take on Purdue.
The Badgers have owned the series and been able to basically do what they want in the last few years. However, Darrell Hazell has the Boilermakers feeling much more confident in themselves these days.
Will it be more of the same in this series, or will Wisconsin find itself in an unexpected challenge? Let’s take a look at what this game could breakdown as.
When: Saturday, Nov. 8, 11am CT
Where: Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Ind.
TV: ESPNU
Radio: Badger Sports Network
Last Meeting: Wisconsin Win, 41-10
All-Time Series: Wisconsin leads, 44-29-8
Position Breakdown:
Wisconsin Pass Offense vs. Purdue Pass Defense:
UW Passing Stats: 1,149 yards, 9 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 143.6 yards per game, 11.8 yards per catch
PUR Pass D Stats: 2,162 yards, 15 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 240.2 yards per game, 12.4 yards per catch
Last week was back to the disaster that has been the majority of the year in the passing game for Wisconsin. The good news is the weather was horrible and the Badgers are going up against a passing defense that ranks 12th in the Big Ten.
The question is, can Joel Stave be more of the quarterback we saw last season than this one. Stave is completing just 48.4 percent of his passes for 423 yards and three touchdowns to three interceptions. While the Badgers don’t need the reincarnation of Russell Wilson or even Scott Tolzien at QB, they need some confidence in the passing game.
Lat week may have been a breakthrough of sorts though, as Wisconsin got a chance to get its young wide receivers extensive playing time. Guess what happened? They actually looked competent and worthy of more opportunities. Krenwick Sanders got his first reception, while George Rushing had a career-best two catches for 32 yards.
Sure, those aren’t earth shattering numbers, but it is a start given the quarterback situation going on. More of that on Saturday in West Lafayette and the Badgers will be in luck. It also helps that star safety Frankie Williams is likely out with a concussion, as he is the glue that holds the Purdue defense together.
Advantage: Wisconsin (slightly)
Wisconsin Rushing Offense vs. Purdue Rushing Defense:
UW Rushing Stats: 2,667 yards, 29 touchdowns, 7.1 yards per carry, 333.4 yards per game
PUR Rush D Stats: 1,569 yards, 20 touchdowns, 4.4 yards per carry, 174.3 yards per game
Another week, another clear advantage for Wisconsin. The nation’s No. 3-ranked rushing offense goes up against the No. 11-ranked rushing defense in the Big Ten. We’ve seen this scenario play out before, and it wasn’t pretty for the Boilermakers.
The last time the Badgers went to West Lafayette (2012), they ran for 467 yards and four touchdowns. It got so out of hand that Melvin Gordon got 80 yards on seven carries, despite 247 yards by Montee Ball and 124 yards from James White.
Last season it was only 388 yards and five touchdowns, with Melvin Gordon and James White both rushing for over 140 yards a piece.
This season, could it be Melvin Gordon and Corey Clement going for 100-plus yards each? Even with everyone knowing Purdue is going to stack the box to stop the run, they haven’t proven an ability to do it very well all season long.
Advantage: Wisconsin
Purdue Pass Offense vs. Wisconsin Pass Defense:
PUR Pass Stats: 1,671 yards, 13 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 185.7 yards per game, 9.8 yards per catch
UW Pass D Stats: 1,207 yards, 6 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 150.9 yards per game, 12.8 yards per catch
Purdue made the right switch earlier this season, replacing the struggling Danny Etling with Austin Appleby. Since then it is hard to deny the fact that Purdue has been a different team offensively. However, things are about to change this week as Appleby’s main receiving threat, Danny Anthrop is likely out for this week.
Considering Anthrop has over double the receptions of the next wide receiver that’s a huge loss. It also puts a strain on Purdue’s running game as Akeem Hunt, who is second on the team with 36 receptions, becomes more important to the passing game.
No matter who Purdue does or doesn’t have, the Badgers secondary has been on lockdown all season long. UW is fourth in the country with just six TD receptions against it this season, and trailing only Penn State (5) in the Big Ten. Given the missing parts to the Boilermakers passing attack this could be a big game for UW’s pass defense.
Advantage: Wisconsin
Purdue Rush Offense vs. Wisconsin Rush Defense:
PUR Rushing Stats: 1,571 yards, 16 touchdowns, 5.1 yards per carry, 174.6 yards per game
UW Rush D Stats: 823 yards, 7 touchdowns, 3.1 yards per carry, 102.9 yards per game
Wisconsin has gotten lucky so far this season, facing exactly no big rushing threat so far this season. That changes the rest of this season, and it starts with Akeem Hunt. He’s a huge dual-threat, as we’ve already talked about him being second on the team in receptions, but don’t sleep on his rushing ability either. Hunt has 706 yards rushing, averages 5.6 yards a carry and has five touchdowns to his name.
He’s a different back than UW has faced all season long too, as his speed is scary. The Boilermakers also have a good 1-2 punch going with Raheem Mostert rushing for 480 yards and three touchdowns too.
This will be a bigger challenge, and perhaps the best opportunity for all us around the program to figure out if it’s been the lack of competition or the return of Warren Herring that has mattered most. UW is 11th in rushing defense and touchdowns allowed nationally, and that should mean something.
With Herring back, and the impressive overall play of the likes of Marcus Trotter, Derek Landisch and Michael Caputo the Badgers matchup well with the Boilermakers on the ground.
Advantage: Wisconsin
Staff Predictions:
Andy (6-2 season record) – Wisconsin 45, Rutgers 17
Wisconsin has owned Purdue as of late, in fact pretty much ever since wrecking Purdue’s last Rose Bowl hopes. The Boilermakers have some belief in themselves and that can be a dangerous thing, but so is the 1-2 punch of Melvin Gordon and Corey Clement. Better defenses and teams have tried and failed, and while Purdue is playing better football it isn’t on the level of the Badgers just yet. Look for UW to run away with this one.
Jay (5-0 season record) – Wisconsin 31, Purdue 7
The defense stays on a roll as Purdue’s only score comes after starting on a short field. The Badger running game continues to make us wonder if a passing game is even necessary. On that, we do see a slight progression, as Stave hits at least one deep ball. The Badgers move on to the meat of their schedule and are still a Northwestern loss away from what-ifs.
Prognostications:
– Sojourn Shelton gets an INT: When will the sophomore get his chance at an INT, huh? Last week circumstances and horrid QB play by Rutgers didn’t really provide an opportunity for Shelton to get his pick on. That said, I’m rocking with Shelton until he gets that pick under his belt. Appleby and the Boilermakers like to mix things up and I can see Shelton figuring out a way to get a pick this time around.
– Joel Stave throws 2 TDs to someone not Alex Erickson: It has been great knowing the Badgers have a good wide receiver in Erickson, but last week showed UW has some talent behind him and need to let it shine. Look for the Badgers to try and get the passing game going in this one, and look for them to try to target some other players. It all adds up to touchdowns going to Sam Arneson and Troy Fumagalli in the red zone for me.
– Marcus Trotter leads team in tackles: The middle linebacker doesn’t get talked about enough in my view. Sure, Warren Herring’s return has been great, but look at the difference Trotter has made since getting back from injury himself. UW’s been on lock down mode in the run game since before Herring got back in the picture, and a lot has to do with Trotter’s play and leadership. Look for him to be on lock down mode against Hunt and Mostert this weekend.
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