Western Michigan
5th MAC7-5
Purdue
7th Big Ten6-6
Western Michigan @ Purdue preview
Ford Field
LITTLE CAESARS BOWL STORYLINES
1. Which team can continue its late-season momentum? Purdue won two of its last three games, including 26-23 victory over Ohio State. Western Michigan won three of its last four and owns a victory over UConn of the Big East.
2. Motivation will be crucial. While some schools from a major conference like Purdue might suffer a mental letdown against an opponent from a non-BCS conference, that’s not likely to happen with the Boilermakers, who haven’t been to a bowl game since 2007. Purdue has won both previous meetings, but both were close games: 28-13 in 1993 and 28-24 in 2002.
3. Off-the-field incidents are an issue for Purdue. No. 3 receiver O.J. Ross and top punt returner Waynelle Gravesande are out with academics. Middle linebacker Dwayne Beckford, the team’s leading tackler, has been suspended because of an incident with the police. Two other Boilermakers, defensive end Gerald Gooden and linebacker Will Lucas, will play despite being arrested but not charged for allegedly removing wheel locks from their cars for unpaid parking tickets.
4. Both teams are in good shape if the decision comes down to a late kick. Purdue’s Carson Wiggs has made 16 of 21 field goals and 35 of 36 extra points. Wiggs also kicked the five longest field goals in school history. Western Michigan’s John Potter has made 15 of 21 field goals and had made all 54 extra point attempts.
5. Western Michigan will be trying to reverse a trend. Purdue is 38-9-1 against MAC teams.
TV: 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Purdue -2.5
ABOUT PURDUE (6-6, 4-4 Big Ten): The Boilermakers average 371.4 yards of offense, but aren’t particularly strong in any aspect, ranking 79th in the nation. Junior QB Caleb TerBush has thrown for 1,804 yards and 12 touchdowns. The running game ranks 39th in the nation, but will be without leading rusher Ralph Bolden (674 yards, six TDs), who is out with a torn ACL. That likely means more work for Akeem Shavers (370 yards, six TDs), Jared Crank and Reggie Pegram.The defense is led by fifth-year senior Joe Holland, who has started 47 of 48 possible games with 315 career tackles, and junior tackle Kawann Short, who has posted career bests in tackles (53), tackles for loss (17) and sacks (6.5). Keep an eye on kick returner Raheem Mostert, who led the Big Ten with a 31-yard average.
ABOUT WESTERN MICHIGAN (7-5, 5-3 Mid-American Conference): The Broncos were the No. 1 passing team in the MAC, averaging 328 yards per game. QB Alex Carder, healthy after sitting out the season finale with a separated shoulder, has thrown for 3,434 yards and 28 touchdowns. His favorite target is senior Jordan White, a consensus All-American who has 127 receptions (13.0 yard average) with 16 TDs. White also led the MAC with a 13.1-yard punt return average. Chleb Ravenell also has 59 catches and eight TDs. Western Michigan’s defense is led by Drew Nowak, a third-team All-American who was the MAC Defensive Player of the Year; he had 83 tackles, 20 tackles for loss (fourth in the NCAA), 8.5 sacks, recovered two fumbles and blocked two kicks.
PREDICTION: Western Michigan 31, Purdue 28 – The Broncos win this one through the air and receiver Jordan White becomes part of the national discussion.
1. Which team can continue its late-season momentum? Purdue won two of its last three games, including 26-23 victory over Ohio State. Western Michigan won three of its last four and owns a victory over UConn of the Big East.
2. Motivation will be crucial. While some schools from a major conference like Purdue might suffer a mental letdown against an opponent from a non-BCS conference, that’s not likely to happen with the Boilermakers, who haven’t been to a bowl game since 2007. Purdue has won both previous meetings, but both were close games: 28-13 in 1993 and 28-24 in 2002.
3. Off-the-field incidents are an issue for Purdue. No. 3 receiver O.J. Ross and top punt returner Waynelle Gravesande are out with academics. Middle linebacker Dwayne Beckford, the team’s leading tackler, has been suspended because of an incident with the police. Two other Boilermakers, defensive end Gerald Gooden and linebacker Will Lucas, will play despite being arrested but not charged for allegedly removing wheel locks from their cars for unpaid parking tickets.
4. Both teams are in good shape if the decision comes down to a late kick. Purdue’s Carson Wiggs has made 16 of 21 field goals and 35 of 36 extra points. Wiggs also kicked the five longest field goals in school history. Western Michigan’s John Potter has made 15 of 21 field goals and had made all 54 extra point attempts.
5. Western Michigan will be trying to reverse a trend. Purdue is 38-9-1 against MAC teams.
TV: 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Purdue -2.5
ABOUT PURDUE (6-6, 4-4 Big Ten): The Boilermakers average 371.4 yards of offense, but aren’t particularly strong in any aspect, ranking 79th in the nation. Junior QB Caleb TerBush has thrown for 1,804 yards and 12 touchdowns. The running game ranks 39th in the nation, but will be without leading rusher Ralph Bolden (674 yards, six TDs), who is out with a torn ACL. That likely means more work for Akeem Shavers (370 yards, six TDs), Jared Crank and Reggie Pegram.The defense is led by fifth-year senior Joe Holland, who has started 47 of 48 possible games with 315 career tackles, and junior tackle Kawann Short, who has posted career bests in tackles (53), tackles for loss (17) and sacks (6.5). Keep an eye on kick returner Raheem Mostert, who led the Big Ten with a 31-yard average.
ABOUT WESTERN MICHIGAN (7-5, 5-3 Mid-American Conference): The Broncos were the No. 1 passing team in the MAC, averaging 328 yards per game. QB Alex Carder, healthy after sitting out the season finale with a separated shoulder, has thrown for 3,434 yards and 28 touchdowns. His favorite target is senior Jordan White, a consensus All-American who has 127 receptions (13.0 yard average) with 16 TDs. White also led the MAC with a 13.1-yard punt return average. Chleb Ravenell also has 59 catches and eight TDs. Western Michigan’s defense is led by Drew Nowak, a third-team All-American who was the MAC Defensive Player of the Year; he had 83 tackles, 20 tackles for loss (fourth in the NCAA), 8.5 sacks, recovered two fumbles and blocked two kicks.
PREDICTION: Western Michigan 31, Purdue 28 – The Broncos win this one through the air and receiver Jordan White becomes part of the national discussion.