
Purdue football: 5 keys to — finally — breaking the slide vs. Wisconsin
The last time Purdue beat Wisconsin, way back on Oct. 18, 2003, many of the current Boilermakers had not yet been born.
Saturday, many of them will be central to Purdue’s quest to end a 15-game losing streak that has been a thorn in the side of the program. And if the Boilermakers can get by the Badgers, it might represent the kind of turning point that can propel the program forward. At least that’s the hope, particularly for this season, when a victory Saturday might mean Purdue further establishes itself as a team to beat (along with Illinois) in the Big Ten West.
Devin Mockobee — and all of his teammates — won’t remember the ’03 Purdue win, but it doesn’t have any significance now anyway, nor do any of the 15 losses since. But the series trends do matter, so let’s take a look at 5 keys for the Boilermakers if they are to finally slay the Badgers.
Be physical
There has been no bigger problem for the Boilermakers in their matchup against the Badgers than physicality.
Over the years, Wisconsin has simply pummeled Purdue at the line of scrimmage, both sides of it, but most acutely on the Badgers’ offensive line vs. the Boilermakers’ defensive front. It’s been, far too frequently, a one-sided affair, with Wisconsin’s big burly offensive linemen nuking Purdue’s front 4, then jumping off those blocks to knock over linebackers, too. And combined with great Badger backs, like Jonathan Taylor, Melvin Gordon, James White, Montee Ball and so many others, it’s given Wisconsin a sizable advantage, one that Purdue has been unable to overcome.
Now, however, Purdue might have its best chance, maybe not to match the Badgers, but at least come as close as they ever have during the last 2 decades. The Boilermakers have a deep and talented defensive line that is rotating 11 players, 5 at the end positions and 6 others inside. That has kept Purdue fresh at the end of games, and is also a big reason why the Boilermakers haven’t given up a 100-yard rusher this season.
Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen, all 6-2, 235 pounds of him, might challenge that on Saturday, but at least the Boilermakers are prepared for what they’re in for this season. Allen, who has 757 yards and 8 touchdowns this season, has rolled up back-to-back 100-plus-yard games against Northwestern and Michigan State. But Purdue’s rush defense is 17th in the country, allowing only a tick more than 100 yards per game, and it gives up only 3.2 yards per attempt.
Slow the pass
Purdue’s secondary was absolutely gashed last week by Nebraska’s passing game, giving up 354 yards, including 237 of them to one player: Cornhusker wide receiver Trey Palmer. The Boilermakers gave up plays of 72, 64 and 39 yards to Palmer and a 45-yarder to Oliver Martin.
It was ugly.
And unfortunately for the Boilermakers, this has been a growing trend of the last few weeks. Purdue is 91st in the national in pass defense, allowing 248.4 yards per game, but the reality is worse than that statistic. The Boilermakers have also given up 14 passing plays of 30 yards or more, 8 of 40 yards or more, 5 of 50 yards or more, 5 of 60 yards or more. They rank no better than 117th in any of those categories nationally.
Purdue is sending a lot of its resources toward slowing the opponent’s running game, and doing so at great success, but at what cost? The Boilermakers, who have a 4-game winning streak, have been picked apart in the back half of the defense, but it’s not yet cost them too dearly, at least recently. Although Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz has been inconsistent, the former 4-star prospect has his moments, too, and is talented enough to take advantage of Boilermaker breakdowns.
Deal with the Madhouse
The 2003 victory was in Camp Randall Stadium.
But since then, Purdue hasn’t played Wisconsin even close there, aside from the 2017 trip that the Boilermakers lost 17-9. The margins in the 6 other road games: 11 points, 37, 45, 31, 17 and 21.
The Boilermakers are a 2-point underdog to Wisconsin on Saturday, yet that shouldn’t scare Purdue. In the last 10 games the Boilermakers have been a ‘dog away from Ross-Ade Stadium, they hold a 5-5 record, including 2 straight Ws at Minnesota and Maryland. Is Camp Randall intimidating? Yes. But Purdue’s been in worse situations.
Get Devin Mockobee going
Over the years, Purdue’s offense hasn’t fared much better than the D when it comes to the physicality needed to play the Badgers.
And so the Boilermakers haven’t frequently been able to run the football. Maybe that can change with the current team, particularly considering the emergence of running back Devin Mockobee. The redshirt freshman has given Purdue a legitimate big-play threat out of the backfield, which it has lacked for the last several seasons. It allows Jeff Brohm to call a more balanced offense, and he’s shown that over the last several weeks, with Mockobee rushing for more than 100 yards against Minnesota and Nebraska.
It won’t be easy against Wisconsin, which is allowing only 114.43 rushing yards per game, the 27th-best mark in the country. But if Purdue can establish a running game, that would go a long way toward opening up Aidan O’Connell’s passing options.
Stay healthy
Purdue can simply not afford to lose anyone else to injury during the game.
It’s already down 2 starting offensive linemen, a backup running back (who had been starting), a starting wide receiver, a starting safety and a starting linebacker, plus an assortment of other key reserves. Especially at certain positions, like on the offensive line, Purdue is being pushed to its limit. Lose another body and it could really equal problems for the Boilermakers.