Michigan’s players seemed confident this week heading into a game at Purdue, but not so much as to guarantee a win. The same couldn’t be said for Boilermakers wide receiver Gregory Phillips, who told ESPN to expect a Boilers victory.
Yes, he poked the wolverine.
“Running the plays Coach [Jeff] Brohm gives us, we don't have any doubt in our mind," Phillips said. "If your coach is aggressive, you become aggressive. If your coach is confident, you become confident.
"It's going to be a surprise when people see us beat Michigan. I wish we played Ohio State, too, because nobody can stop us right now except ourselves. If we don't beat Purdue and turn over the ball, we win every game."
Well … every game but Louisville, a decent but not great team that beat the Boilers by a touchdown.
But give Purdue credit for the turnaround. For the first time since the mid-2000s or so, ‘Wait ‘til basketball season!’ isn’t on the annual football t-shirt, and this team is fun to watch.
Brohm is a big reason why. ESPN reports that since 2014, Brohm leads all FBS coaches in touchdowns per year (60.3), points per possession (2.83), yards per play (7.21), plays per point (1.75), percentage of 10-, 20- and 30-yard plays and lowest punt percentage (26.02 percent of drives). Western Kentucky went 30-10 from 2014 to 2016.
During the same span, Purdue ranked 99th in points per possession, 113th in yards per play and 105th in percentage of scoring drives.
It’s like the Joe Tiller era all over again … and anyone who says they didn’t like watching Drew Brees play is a liar.
Michigan will have its hands full, but the Wolverines still have athletes all over the field. This will be (by far) Purdue’s biggest test to date, and they’ve already failed one.
Congrats to last week’s winner. This week’s receives Joe Tiller’s book, “I’d Say it’s Nice to be Here, But I’d Rather be Fly Fishing in Montana” and gets next weekend off.
The picks:
CHRIS BALAS: Several of our colleagues don’t like the trip to West Lafayette. We’re not among them. A stop at the Farmhouse for dinner, some country hospitality … it’s good stuff.
Now to cap it with a convincing win to keep the message board contingent happy … Michigan 30, Purdue 13
JOHN BORTON: Purdue has the Golden Girl. Michigan sports a tarnished red zone record. The Boilermakers feature the world’s biggest drum. The Wolverines offer up the world’s busiest field goal kicker.
Jeff Brohm’s squad enjoys the confidence built by two straight wins, following a narrow defeat against a ranked Louisville squad. The Boilermakers will be riding a wave of Homecoming emotion, and a gathering at Ross-Ade Stadium believing there might be reason for interest BEFORE they throw open the Mackey Arena doors in November.
Jim Harbaugh’s crew sports a defense. Michigan 27, Purdue 17
BRANDON BROWN: Purdue is playing well but it’s still Purdue. That may sound a bit disrespectful but it is what it is. Michigan owns the Boilermakers and still has far more talent than they do. The only formidable opponent Purdue has face this year, they lost to. The game is in West Lafayette, Jeff Brohm is a creative coach, and the Boilermakers are confident but I still see Jim Harbaugh and Michigan coming out on top rather comfortably in this one. Michigan 31, Purdue 13
AUSTIN FOX: Michigan’s offense needs to wake up one of these weeks, and perhaps Saturday against Purdue will be the day. The Boilermakers’ defense as a whole has not been good (69th nationally), and the pass defense has been especially bad (84th).
If Michigan’s offense finds its footing, this game could be a blowout. If it struggles again and turns the ball over, though, Purdue will hang around.
The Boilermakers will have a hard time scoring on Michigan’s defense, despite the fact this will be the best passing attack the Wolverines’ young secondary will have faced this season.
I expect Michigan to be in command throughout the game, but I don’t think the offense is good enough yet to make this a blowout.
Michigan wins a hard-fought one. Michigan 27, Purdue 17
ANDREW VAILLIENCOURT: There’s been a lot of hype surrounding Purdue and its new coaching staff, which by all means has done a nice job so far turning things around. However, rarely are programs rebuilt entirely in one year and I think Michigan will put Purdue back in its place - at least for a week.
Michigan will work out some of its offensive kinks, but not all, and the defense will take away the Purdue run game. Michigan 30, Purdue 17
DOUG SKENE: Slow and steady improvement is all the Michigan offense needs, and we will see that in the Big Ten opener. I look for the offensive line and tight ends to get better this week. Wideouts will step up and make plays after the injury to Tarik Black. The Michigan defense will be challenged through the air, which will be Purdue’s best chance to move the ball.
Michigan needs a rowdy stadium this Saturday to help them build their confidence, because bigger road challenges are still ahead. Michigan 24, Purdue 13
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