Purdue football vs. Michigan: Scouting report, prediction
ANN ARBOR, Michigan − Purdue football's goal sounds simple, but is not such a simple quest.
Win four games, go to a bowl.
To win four straight, the Boilermakers must first win Saturday, at No. 2 Michigan under the lights before a nationally televised audience and 107,000-plus fans at Michigan Stadium.
It seems improbable. Some would say impossible.
Here's what Purdue is up against on Saturday.
Scouting the Wolverines
Unbeaten Michigan (8-0) has all sorts of current off field distractions and whether that affects coach Jim Harbaugh's club remains to be seen. It didn't seem to bother the Wolverines in their last outing, a 49-0 win at Michigan State two weeks ago.
More: Purdue football coach Ryan Walters on Michigan scandal: 'They aren't allegations'
Since, Michigan had a bye week and now comes in likely refreshed against a 2-6 Purdue team.
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy is playing as well as anyone in the country and is on a short list of Heisman Trophy front runners at the moment. Meanwhile, Blake Corum might be the best running back in the Big Ten (again).
The story, though, is Michigan's defense, which has allowed just 47 points all season. Only one team, Minnesota, scored in double figures and the Gophers lost that game 52-10.
Walters' blue print
Just like this season, Michigan ran through its regular season schedule a year ago without much trouble.
Except that one game, a 19-17 victory over Illinois at the Big House where the Wolverines needed a last-second field goal.
Guess who masterminded that defense that shut down Michigan. Ryan Walters and Kevin Kane, now Purdue's head coach and defensive coordinator.
Edge rushers Nic Scourton and Kydran Jenkins said Purdue has schemed up something different for Michigan's offense, averaging north of 40 points per game.
Noteworthy
Dating back to the dawn of the Associated Press football poll in 1936, no unranked team has more wins over a top-five opponent than Purdue.
The Boilermakers have done it 17 times, while the next closest is 11.
Prediction: Michigan 45, Purdue 13
Walters became the first coach to come out publicly and make a statement about Michigan's alleged sign stealing. I don't buy into the theory that it provides any extra incentive for the Wolverines to go run up the score.
Michigan just has more talent, as evidenced in last year's Big Ten Championship against a more talented Purdue squad, and is playing better than any team in college football. That will show as the Wolverines continue their quest to get back to the College Football Playoff.
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue football vs. Michigan: Scouting report, prediction
