Purdue Football (2-3, 1-1) vs. Minnesota (4-1, 2-0): Staff Predictions

Tomorrow’s game against Minnesota doesn’t kick off until 8:00 PM, but that doesn’t mean that we are resting and extra 8 or so hours. Oh no, there’s content to be posted baby! For now, we’ve got the staff on record with what they think will happen in the matchup against the Golden Gophers.

Ledman (4-1):

Yes, I was wrong last week. In more ways than one. I thought the game against Illinois would be a loss, that’s one, but I also thought it was going to be a high scoring game, that’s two. You have to admit I was basing my pick on solid informaiton. Neither defense had acquitted themselves very well going into that game. I guess what I didn’t consider was that Purdue had played a number of good defenses in the run up to that game so perhaps, just perhaps, the Purdue defense wasn’t as bad as I had thought. Now, beating Illinois doesn’t suddenly mean this Purdue team is going bowling or anything, but they certainly look better. Now, in this game I’m desperate for Purdue to beat Minnesota. They almost took down the Gophers last season before allowing 14 points in about 10 seconds in the 4th quarter. PJ Fleck rubbing blood on his face just gave me such an ick. Like, what are we doing here man? You aren’t a general from hundreds or even thousands of years ago. You’re playing football. Can we not?

I’ve got Purdue winning this one but it’s going to be tight. I think the Purdue offense has to rely on Brown and Ijeboi to make the smart plays and hope guys like Magwood and Townsend continue to do a great job catching the ball. Purdue has to get TDs and cannot settle for FGs when they reach the red zone. That’s just playing with fire.

Purdue 24

Minnesota 21

Travis (5-0):

I am fully on the Kool-Aid, and my perfect 5-0 mark in our predictions here officially makes me a soothsayer. Keeping all that in mind, we’re a program with momentum now. Minnesota is coming off of two big wins, but they are over teams that have grossly underachieved. This is a night game at home with a modicum of excitement around the program for the first time in five years. Purdue gets the dub, and that whole “winning streak” thing happens. Purdue 31, Minnesota 27

Ryan (4-1):

I wish I was more confident in this Purdue football team after a meaningful victory over Illinois but 3 seasons of misery has me fairly scorned. I hope my prediction is wrong but I will believe it when I see it.

Purdue 24
Minnesota 28

Drew (3-2):

There’s 2 questions that need to be a answered in this game.

1. Can Purdue’s offense stay on the field and keep Minnesota from dominating the time of possession with their ground and pound style offense.

2. Can Purdue’s defense find a way to get stops in 3rd and 4th down?

Minnesota wants to play low scoring, low possession games. If they get their way, it’s going to be tough for Purdue win. A hot start from Ryan Browne and the offense is crucial. You want to make Minnesota chase points, because they’re at their best when you’re chasing points.

Purdue gets the game it need from the offense and the defense does enough to keep this from becoming a 6 possession game.

Purdue – 27

Minnesota – 24

Kyle (2-3):

Purdue is coming off a big win over Illinois and now gets Minnesota at home for a Saturday night matchup. The Gophers have been playing some good football lately, so this definitely won’t be an easy one for the Boilers. 

Purdue needs to keep the offense rolling, get the run game going, and avoid shooting itself in the foot with turnovers. I think playing at Ross-Ade under the lights gives Purdue a nice advantage, and after the win last week, maybe this team is starting to build a little momentum.

 I’m not ready to say Purdue is back just yet, but this is another chance to prove they’re heading in the right direction. 

Give me Purdue to make it two in a row with a 27-24 win over Minnesota!

Jed (3-2):

This is likely the game that Fame Ijeboi has had circled on his calendar since he transferred to Purdue. The former Golden Gopher has established himself as one of the best transfers and running backs in the B1G but he will have his work cut out for him as PJ Fleck and Minnesota know exactly what he brings to the table. Purdue is also going to be playing for the first back to back B1G wins since Brohm’s last season in 2022, but more importantly Purdue is STILL in the realistic hunt for a bowl bid (seriously, look at the schedule coming up).

Purdue enters the game with a defense that seemed to take some strides following a complete undressing by Notre Dame but is there enough there to continue the improvement? They will be facing a Minnesota offense that ranks 99th overall and with one of the worst rushing games in the country (116th). That means Purdue should be able to win at the line of scrimmage and focus on the defensive backfield against a Minnesota team that has a propensity to throw the ball more than they have in years past. That hasn’t always been the recipe for success for a Purdue defense that has left receivers wide open and the only thing stopping them is a competent quarterback.

Defensively, Minnesota is one of the best in the B1G and the country. Ranking 12th in the country, Fleck’s defense only gives up 18ppg and under 100 yards per game on the ground. Their pass defense, however, is where they specialize and that is where it could give Browne and his receivers some issues. Mississippi St. had a field day as they racked up 227 yards passing and 252 yards rushing, but Minnesota hasn’t really faced a tough offense before since. This is likely the best core of receivers Minnesota has faced up and down and Browne might have just enough to cause some problems.

Minnesota doesn’t want to get into track meets and they want to just wear out an opponent with strong defense and special teams. Purdue has enough to beat Goldy but the defense has to continue making big steps to do so. My gut is telling me this is another disappointing loss as Purdue controls the game but lets it slip away in the fourth quarter…

But my pride will get the best of me this week. Browne makes some big plays in the passing game, Fame breaks off some tough runs, and the defense comes up with two turnovers. Purdue walks off with a win to get to 3-3 with three more winnable games right after this one against Washington, Penn State, and Maryland. Purdue could get to 6-3 before facing an Iowa team that might be CFP worthy.

Purdue: 34

Minnesota: 31