Footballs have funny shapes and take funny bounces. Purdue is a couple late blown games against Rutgers and Nebraska away from being 6-3 themselves, while Northwestern has needed three straight overtime victories, or they could easily be 3-6. Instead the Wildcats are ranked, although their Indianapolis hopes are all but dashed, save a shocking Wisconsin collapse. Now they are playing for bowl positioning, and the thought of already being bowl eligible after the way they started the season is impressive itself, although considering bad Septembers have been their MO recently, maybe it shouldn't be. Playing meaningful games in November is not something Purdue fans have gotten to enjoy in some time. They haven't beaten ranked team since 2011, and that was an overrated Illinois early, before they had time to slide out. They haven't beaten a ranked team in November since toppling #10 Iowa in 2003, the week before losing to Ohio State in overtime, which cost them a share of the Big Ten title. So it's not hyperbole to say this would be the program's biggest win since 2003. It would also prevent a likely tougher game in Iowa City from being a must win. I agree with the Purdue poster who felt that David Blough was the better of the two options under center for Purdue, but Sindelar alone is better than the constant rotation. Granted if the receivers keep up with their dropsies, it won't matter. But the way Northwestern is gritting out wins right now, it might not matter anyway. Perhaps the biggest reason for their turnaround has been offensive line play, aided by better play calling. They were giving up the most sacks in the Big Ten, but over the last two weeks, they've given up a total of 1. Clayton Thorson has shown much more comfort in the offense too, dinking and dunking defenses to death. Purdue might be more equipped to defend that, surrendering more deep passes than consistent short passes, but the way Northwestern is playing right now, as they seem to every year as the season gets later, it's tough to pick against them. Particularly if Justin Jackson can build on his 154 yard rushing day from last week, after getting held down by Iowa and Michigan State in the previous two games.
NORTHWESTERN 28, PURDUE 17
