Minnesota Golden Gophers at Purdue Boilermakers, Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN
Saturday, October 16, 2010, 12:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN2
Opening Line: Purdue -4 1/2
Current Line: Purdue -5 1/2
Opening Total: 51 1/2
Current Total: 50 1/2
Money Line: Purdue -220 / Minnesota +180
Minnesota started off the season with a win vs Middle Tennessee St but has lost 5 games in a row since then. This week Minnesota travels to Purdue to take on the 3-2 Boilermakers. Purdue is coming off a 20-17 upset victory at Northwestern. Minnesota lost to Wisconsin 41-23. Minnesota is 2-0 against Purdue both against the spread and straight up in the last 3 years.
The Gophers have lost 5 games in a row including embarrassing losses at home to South Dakota and Northern Illinois. The offense has been average at best during the streak, but the problem has been the defense. During the 5 game streak, The Gophers are giving up just over 35 points a game. For the season, The Gophers are being outgained 418-397. The frustrating thing about the losing streak is that Minnesota has not been blown out except against Wisconsin where they lost by 18. The Gophers have forced 11 turnovers and 3 sacks. The offense is led by quarterback Adam Weber. Weber has thrown for 1,448 yards, 12 touchdowns and 4 picks. Weber’s top targets are MarQueis Gray (26 Receptions, 349 yards, 4 touchdowns), Eric Lair (21 catches, 328 yards, 2 touchdowns) and Da’Jon Knight (22 catches, 316 yards, and 5 touchdowns). The rushing attack is led by Duane Bennett (94 carries, 402 yards, 2 touchdowns) and DeLeon Eskridge (80 carries, 312 yards, 2 TD’s). Bennett also has a passing touchdown and a receiving touchdown. Fullback Jon Hoese is a good short yardage weapon and has 3 rushing touchdowns. Minnesota has had trouble stopping the run as they are giving up almost 200 yards a game on the ground and almost 3 rushing touchdowns a game.
Purdue is 3-2 but hasn’t really beaten anyone besides a mediocre Northwestern team. They do have an inexcusable loss to Toledo on their record. Somewhat amazingly, the Boliermakers have been outgained only 357-355 and outscored it’s opponents 107-105. The Boilermakers have forced 7 turnovers and 17 sacks. They are even in turnover ratio, and have only allowed 8 sacks. Quarterback Rob Henry took over for injured starter Robert Marve who is out for the season with a torn ACL. Henry has thrown for 280 yards 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in the game and almost a half since he took over for Marve. Henry’s real weapon is his legs. He is the team’s leading rusher with 299 yards on 47 carries with one touchdown. Running back Dan Dierking has 45 carries for 227 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Boilermakers spread the ball around as 5 players have at least 11 catches.
Minnesota must contain Henry, especially on the ground if they want to break their 5 game losing streak. Henry ran for 132 yards against Northwestern in the Boilermaker’s upset. For Purdue, The key might be getting to to the quarterback. The Boilermakers have 17 sacks which is second in the country. Minnesota does return all 5 starters to their offensive line and have only given up 7 sacks this year. They will have to play very well against the Boilermaker’s strong front seven to prevent sacks. I was a little surprised at this line, as Purdue is playing at home and only opened as a 4 1/2 point favorite on the college football odds against a weak opponent. The line has risen to 5 1/2 as bettors see Purdue as a much stronger team.
Maddux Sports has crushed the books with their college football picks this season. Saturday figures to be another wallet stuffer with a rare 20 unit game of the play going. We haven’t lost one of these games yet this year and will nail this winner once again on Saturday. Visiting the college football pick page of the site to grab this easy point spread winner.
