Marshall is #1 in passing also 1-2-1 ATS. Marshall is also #1 in the nation w/ plays of 10 yds or more (88). Flip side, Purdue, coming off their bye week, I think is a team that most are underestimating this year. So far they are 3-0 ATS vs E Ky, ND, and E Mich. They are really good defensively as the ND game showed. All 3 phases of their defense are solid. 25th in rush D and 27th vs the pass, 17th total defense. Conversely, they are 31st in total offense, 28th in rush and 50th in passing. Marshall is 112th vs the run and 97th vs the pass vs teams like Rice, Ohio, W Caro, and W Virg. Their last game had been a double OT vs Rice. No significant injuries for both teams other than a DB for Marshall who didn't play vs Rice.
Purdue could easily dominate this game just by how physical they will be on offense and with a couple pro prospects on their defensive front 4. Look for Kawann Short, pre-sesason All-American by SI, to come up with a few sacks and harass Cato in the backfield....
Coach Holliday, “We can do a lot of things with our offense that we don’t need to block the front guys as long. We have some things in our offense now that can allow Cato to get the ball out of his hands quick. We have the ability to run the ball if they give it to us. We have the screen game to where we don’t have to block those guys as long. That’s a good thing because they are really good. I’ve watched our offensive line and they’ve gotten better. At some point we have to be able to block them and we will.”
This will be a good test for both teams. W Virg is prone to have holes in their defense against the pass and Marshall had been able to score but still lost by 35. I expect Marshall to have a harder time scoring vs Purdue on the road and I'm curious to see how well Purdue handles Marshall's passing attack. They did go toe to toe w/ a very good ND team (Purdue had 5 sacks vs ND). Purdue should be able to sustain decent scoring drives all night long.
"The Boilermakers have been taking care of business when it matters most. Purdue is a perfect 13 for 13 when penetrating the opposition's red zone (12 touchdowns, one field goal), are converting third downs on 60 percent of its tries and are flawless on fourth down conversion by going 4 for 4 through three games. The Boilermakers are one of 11 Football Bowl Subdivison teams to be perfect inside the red zone, are fourth nationally on third downs and one of 10 teams perfect on fourth down."
"The Boilermakers have out-scored their opposition 26-0 in the first quarter this season. Purdue has limited opponents to merely 46 yards rushing, 140 yards passing and eight first downs in the first quarter through three games."
Going w/ Purdue 1H to start strong and stun Marshall at home. Marshall may still backdoor this game for you and we both may come out ahead. I'm going with the better defense here.
BOL this weekend.