Michigan @ Purdue preview
Ross Ade Stadium
Last Meeting ( Oct 29, 2011 ) Purdue 14, Michigan 36
Purdue is off to its best start in five years and piling up the points as the Boilermakers on Saturday open Big Ten play at home against a Michigan team looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Notre Dame. Purdue (3-1) has a winning record through four games for the first time since starting 5-0 in 2007. Their only setback was a 20-17 loss at Notre Dame. Michigan leads the all-time series 43-14 and has won 20 of the past 25 meetings. The Boilermakers have won 12 of their past 15 conference openers dating to 1997. Senior Caleb TerBush has filled in well at quarterback for Purdue with Robert Marve (knee) out, completing 63.8 percent of his passes for 531 yards with seven touchdowns against four interceptions. Akeem Shavers (240 yards, three touchdowns) and Akeem Hunt (169 yards, one touchdown) have anchored the run game. The run game might have to carry the load against Michigan and its No. 9 pass defense. Purdue has been strong against the run, but susceptible to the pass. The Boilermakers will have to pick their poison with dual-threat quarterback Denard Robinson, who became Michigan's all-time leader in total offense during the Notre Dame game.
TV: 4 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network. LINE: Michigan -3
ABOUT MICHIGAN (2-2): The Wolverines, who are coming off an open date following a 13-6 loss at Notre Dame, also begin their Big Ten schedule. Michigan has won eight of its last nine games following a week off, including a 36-14 victory over Purdue last season. Michigan's explosive offense led by Robinson took a major step back against the Irish, committing five first-half turnovers. Nonetheless, Robinson is one rushing touchdown shy of becoming the eighth player in NCAA history with 40 rushing touchdowns and 40 passing touchdowns.
ABOUT PURDUE (3-1): The Boilermakers have racked up the points, averaging 42.5 per game (13th nationally) and topping 50 points in consecutive games for only the sixth time in school history. Purdue's offensive prowess has come in spite of playing without quarterback Robert Marve and running back Ralph Bolden, who are recovering from torn ACLs but could return as soon as Saturday.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Michigan is 13-0 under coach Brady Hoke when scoring 20 or more points and 0-4 under Hoke when scored less than 20.
2. Purdue WR Antavian Edison has caught at least one pass in 25 consecutive games.
3. Michigan SS Jordan Kovacs needs four tackles to become the 15th player in school history with 300 in his career.
PREDICTION: Purdue 27, Michigan 24