Purdue football at Maryland: Who has the edge
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Breaking down Saturday’s matchup between Purdue and Maryland at SECU Stadium in College Park:
Purdue running game vs. Maryland against the run
Back-to-back 100-yard games by a pair of walk-ons. When did the Boilermakers become Student Body Right? Don’t worry, coach Jeff Brohm prefers the pass but is understanding each week the value of a strong running game, maybe something he didn’t appreciate in the fourth quarter against Penn State. Can Purdue keep it up? Dylan Downing (113 yards vs. Florida Atlantic) and Devin Mockobee (112 yards vs. Minnesota) have carried the load in the absence of King Doerue, who will miss his fourth straight game with a calf injury. The offensive line is doing the heavy lifting by opening the holes and bringing a physical presence. Keeping the offense on the field while scoring is important against the Terrapins, who featured explosive weapons across the board. The Boilermakers aren’t on the level of Michigan’s running game, which generated 243 yards against Maryland, but closer to Michigan State, which gained 100 yards last week. Purdue needs success on the ground to avoid becoming one-dimensional. Edge: Purdue
Maryland running game vs. Purdue against the run
When discussing the Terrapins’ offense, the first thought goes to quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa and the passing game. Overlook the ground attack at your own risk. Roman Hemby and Antwain Littleton II are averaging a combined 6.6 yards per carry through five games. The numbers drop against Big Ten teams but the ability to produce big plays is a threat. Weather conditions last week forced Maryland to lean on the running game as Littleton totaled 120 of the team’s 175 rushing yards. Purdue has been strong against the run in its two Big Ten games, holding Penn State and Minnesota to a combined 145 yards, and allowed one play of 20 yards or more on the ground in the first five games. However, the one area the Boilermakers have struggled is containing quarterbacks. Syracuse’s Garrett Shrader and Florida Atlantic’s N’Kosi Perry averaged 5.9 yards per carry and Taulia Tagovailoa is capable of escaping the pocket and inflicting damage. Edge: Maryland
Purdue passing game vs. Maryland against the run
With Aidan O’Connell back in the lineup, the passing game will start to click. O’Connell was rusty against Minnesota after missing nearly two weeks of practice and expecting the sixth-year senior to perform better against the Terrapins, who will give up plays through the air. Purdue needs more production from its downfield passing since the longest gain in the last two games is 28 yards. O’Connell is taking the underneath routes as defenses are trying to prevent big plays over the top. Tight Payne Durham needs to be more of a factor and using the running backs in the passing game brings more playmakers into the mix. Purdue will look to control the clock with its passing game and keep Maryland’s offense on the sidelines. The Terrapins have given up yardage between the 20s but have tightened up in the red zone, allowing 13 scores in 20 trips. Edge: Purdue
Maryland passing game vs. Purdue against the pass
The Boilermakers likely won’t see a more dynamic offense the rest of the season than the one they’ll face Saturday. Tagovailoa is among the top quarterbacks in the Big Ten and the options at receiver appear endless. Jeshaun Jones, Rakim Jarrett and Corey Dyches headline the group Tagovailoa will look to produce big plays. Six players have caught at least 12 passes and a seventh – Dontay Demus Jr. – is one catch away from 10. Purdue’s secondary played well last week but didn’t deal with this level of talent and the challenge it will present Saturday. The Boilermakers can’t let Tagovailoa sit back and look for receivers all day with minimal pressure. It's likely linebacker/safety Jalen Graham returns to the lineup, putting the Boilermakers in a better position to deal with the Terrapins’ offense. Edge: Maryland
Special teams
Mitchell Fineran’s two field goals put the veteran kicker on the right path and Jack Ansell continues to demonstrate consistency in the punting game. The Boilermakers are still looking for a breakout performance in the return game, but ball security wins out. Jones and Tarheeb Still are two of the top punt returners in the Big Ten and Tai Felton is averaging 27.4 yards on kickoff returns but Chris Van Eekeren’s 17 touchbacks should negate a big play. Colton Spangler is solid in the punting game, averaging 48.2 yards, and Chad Ryland – a transfer from Eastern Michigan - has made 7 of 8 field goals, including two from 50-plus yards. Edge: Maryland
Prediction
Saturday’s game is the last against a Big Ten East program until facing Indiana at the end of the season and the outcome likely won’t factor into the race for the West division title. The game is important, but the result probably won’t determine if Purdue remains in contention for the rest of the season. Five straight games against West opponents are on deck and the upcoming stretch will define which way the season goes for the Boilermakers. But this would be a nice win for Purdue, which has overcome its early season self-inflicted issues – penalties and missed tackles – to reach this point with a confidence boost after the win at Minnesota. The defense will be seriously challenged by Maryland’s offense, which will generate its share of big plays and Purdue is going to give up yards. The Boilermakers, though, should move the ball and enjoy plenty of scoring opportunities if they continue to run the ball effectively and give O’Connell time to push the ball down the field. Close games are the norm this season and Saturday looks like another one that won't be decided until the fourth quarter. Maryland 38, Purdue 32
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: Purdue football at Maryland: Who has the edge
