Purdue @ Wisconsin preview
Camp Randall Stadium
Last Meeting ( Oct 13, 2012 ) Wisconsin 38, Purdue 14
Wisconsin will try to rebound from a controversial loss that knocked it out of the Top 25 when it hosts Purdue on Saturday in the Big Ten opener for both teams. The then-No. 18 Badgers lost in bizarre fashion last week when an awkward kneel by quarterback Joel Stave to set up a potential game-winning field goal created confusion among officials that allowed time to expire and gave Arizona State a stunning 32-30 victory. The Pac-12 reprimanded the officiating crew amid the fallout, but Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen said his team has moved on, adding "it will not be a factor on how we play against Purdue."
The Boilermakers will also be trying to move past a tough loss, albeit one not as excruciating. Purdue took a 17-10 lead into the fourth quarter last week against No. 21 Notre Dame before falling 31-24 at home. One bright spot for the Boilermakers was senior quarterback Rob Henry, who passed for three touchdowns after failing to throw one in the first two games.
TIME: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN2. LINE: Wisconsin -24.
ABOUT PURDUE (1-2): The Boilermakers are off to a sputtering start under first-year coach Darrell Hazell but appear to be finding more of a rhythm. Although they failed to reach 300 total yards of offense for the third consecutive game, Henry starting clicking with his receivers against the Fighting Irish, throwing for a career-high 256 yards. Where Purdue continues to struggle is with its running game, which is just 116th in the nation at 79 yards a game.
ABOUT WISCONSIN (2-1): Despite what easily could be a 3-0 record, the Badgers still have room for improvement, particularly on defense. After opening with two shutouts against subpar competition, Wisconsin allowed 468 yards against the Sun Devils, including 352 through the air. Unlike Purdue, the Badgers have no issues running the ball, averaging 337 yards per game, fifth best in the country.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Wisconsin thrashed Purdue 38-14 last season on the road, rushing for 467 yards and four touchdowns, and has won the past seven meetings.
2. This is the first Big Ten game of the season.
3. Badgers RB Melvin Gordon has 240 more yards rushing (477, second most in FBS) than the Boilermakers (237).
PREDICTION: Wisconsin 35, Purdue 13