Nebraska at Purdue football: Who has the edge
Breaking down Saturday night’s matchup between Nebraska and Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium:
Nebraska running game vs. Purdue against the run
The Huskers bring one of the Big Ten’s top running backs – Anthony Grant – to West Lafayette and challenge what has become a strong run defense by the Boilermakers. They didn’t face Minnesota’s Mohamed Ibrahim but have limited three conference teams to an average of 72.3 yards. Grant and Nebraska’s offensive line, which is still seeking some answers, will test that number. The junior college transfer who last played at New Mexico Military Institute gained only 47 yards in the win at Rutgers last week but has three 100-yard rushing games, including 136 against Indiana. Grant is a physical runner who absorbs contact and keeps plugging away. The defensive line and its depth will need one of its better performances to prevent the Huskers from draining the clock and chewing up yardage on the ground. The Boilermakers have kept the big plays in the running game in check – only one rush of over 20 yards so far – and will need to stay sound in that area once again. Edge: Purdue
Purdue running game vs. Nebraska against the run
What was once a deep group of running backs has dwindled. Dylan Downing is out for at least the next two games (foot) and King Doerue’s status (calf injury) remains in limbo. Doerue hasn’t played since the win over Indiana State and if he’s not available against the Huskers, Devin Mockobee and Kobe Lewis will handle most of the duties. There’s always Tyrone Tracy to sprinkle into the running game, giving it a different dimension. Purdue managed just 13 rushing yards last week, in part because Aidan O’Connell was sacked five times, but it doesn’t define the strides made this season. They’re small strides but still progress. When looking at all games, the Huskers are last in the Big Ten, allowing an average of 186 yards but North Dakota, Georgia Southern and Oklahoma ran through the defense with ease. They were better against Indiana and Rutgers but neither offense was a threat in the passing game like Purdue. The offensive line has performed well but the group is down to six ready-to-play bodies for the rest of the season. Edge: Nebraska
Nebraska passing game vs. Purdue against the pass
Texas transfer Casey Thompson was tabbed the replacement for Adrian Martinez, who wasn’t fully embraced by the fan base and now is leading Kansas State to the top of the Big 12 standings. Thompson has flashed his skills, but he’s been under tremendous pressure due to the ineffectiveness of the offensive line. The Huskers have given up 16 sacks and that’s put a strain on the passing game and left the offense in difficult situations. Trey Palmer is the most productive receiver with 40 catches and Marcus Washington, who briefly considered Purdue after leaving Texas, is No. 2 with 18 receptions. The Boilermakers aren’t a big sack team but the depth on the defensive line continues to cause problems for opposing offenses. The secondary is thin and the loss of Chris Jefferson, at least for this week, could loom large, but the return of Jalen Graham has provided a big lift. Edge: Purdue
Purdue passing game vs. Nebraska against the pass
O’Connell is slowly working his way back to full strength after suffering an injury against Syracuse and his 73.2% completion rate last week at Maryland is a good sign for the second half of the season. The turnovers – three interceptions and one fumble – are a little troublesome but not anything O’Connell can’t bounce back from. Charlie Jones’ production has dropped over the last couple of weeks since opponents are trying to take him away and force O’Connell to go elsewhere. He’s found Payne Durham, who has three touchdowns – all in the fourth quarter and in the red zone. Mershawn Rice is showing signs of becoming more consistent and using the running backs in the passing game can help the offense stay on the field. Indiana and Rutgers completed a combined 34 of 74 passes in the last two games with one touchdown and four interceptions but O’Connell is the best quarterback Nebraska has faced in Big Ten play. Edge: Purdue
Special teams
Cam Allen’s PAT block last week changed the way the final possessions were played and his ability to time up the snap count led to a big play. Otherwise, kicker Mitchell Fineran has bounced back after a mini-slump and punter Jack Ansell has found a consistent level. Chris Van Eekeran is piling up touchbacks and the Boilermakers may have found a returner to pair with Jones in Deion Burks, whose 34-yard return set up the go-ahead TD at Maryland. Two Nebraska kickers – Brendan Franke and Timmy Bleekrode – have made a combined 1 of 4 field goals and Palmer is a dangerous option in the return game. The Huskers have been stingy on kickoff returns but have allowed yardage in the punt return game. Maybe this is the week Jones enjoys a big return. Edge: Purdue
Prediction
Although the Boilermakers would appear to have the edge in a lot of categories, the advantages aren’t wide. Purdue has played a lot of close games and that is going to continue, despite the nearly two-touchdown point spread in its favor. It’s just the way it is this season. For every Boilermaker who returns to the lineup, one goes to the sideline. They still have a lot to overcome in terms of having their roster intact but that hasn’t mattered during the three-game winning streak. Purdue played well on the road the last two weeks and now returns to an amped-up environment at a sold-out Ross-Ade Stadium, which should be helpful, but Brohm’s team can’t count on playing at home to earn the victory. The Huskers have plenty to play for with interim coach Mickey Joseph leading the way after Scott Frost was fired last month. Nebraska is squarely in the middle of the Big Ten West conversation – like Purdue and every other team – but the strength of schedule component picks up in the second half of the season. The Boilermakers have come too far and dealt with plenty of adversity to take a step back. Purdue 33, Nebraska 23
Mike Carmin covers Purdue sports for the Journal & Courier and USA Today Sports Network. Email mcarmin@gannett.com and follow on Twitter and Instagram @carmin_jc
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Nebraska at Purdue football: Who has the edge
