Matchup:  Northwestern Wildcats (4-5, 3-3) at Purdue Boilermakers (3-6, 1-5)
Date:  Saturday November 12, 2016, 11:00 am CST
TV:  BTN
Line:  NU - 14
 
Outlook:

The Wildcats head to Purdue this weekend to try and even their record and keep on track to achieve bowl eligibility.  I am sure bowl eligibility was not the main goal for the 'Cats this year but that is the way it has played out.  The 'Cats are a decent team but it all goes back to those first two losses to Western Michigan and Illinois State.  These are games they should have won and would have won if they played like they have since the Big Ten season started. 
 
Last week against Wisconsin, NU's defense played well enough for the 'Cats to win.  They held the #8 ranked Badgers to 21 points, and only 333 yards despite being on the field for over 40 minutes.  The NU offense is still a work in progress as the running game was shut down and then abandoned.  My son always asks me who is the best player on NU's team, and I reply Justin Jackson.  Jackson was held to 42 yards on 13 carries.  When Jackson is not a weapon, NU must solely rely on red shirt sophomore QB Clayton Thorson.  Thorson is good and getting better but he is not good enough or mature enough to carry the team on his back.  Also the NU offensive line is very mediocre.  They could not produce any running lanes against Wisco and regularly let pressure get to the QB on three and four man rushes.

Today NU must re-establish its running game and they have a good chance to do so as the Boilermakers are one the worst teams against the run as they give up almost 250 yards per game on the ground.  NU's depleted secondary will be challenged today as Purdue averages over 300 yards per game in the air.  I believe NU will wear down Purdue through the running game and pull away in the second half.  Purdue will keep it close as they will have several long pass plays.  NU wins and continues toward a bowl game.  I would normally say a game in the warm sun, but with their record and the bowl system now they are likely to end up in Detroit or NYC in December.  Neither of which are warm.  I just continue to think back to those first two games.  NU has won half of their toss-up games (Neb, Iowa, MSU, Wisc) with Minnesota yet to come.  That is as good of a result as one could hope for at the beginning of the season.  If NU wins those first two games they would be looking at a potential 9-3 season and a warm sunny day in January.  Oh well, it has happened and nothing can be done now.  Look to the future and stay positive.  The 'Cats are improving, at times they are fun to watch, and in the end it is just a game.

Until next time, Enjoy.


Pick: Northwestern 31, Purdue 22

'Cats win but don't cover
 
Season to date:  2-6 straight up, 2-5-1 ATS