MSU junior quarterback Brian Hoyer vs. Purdue pass defense
Hoyer looked off against Michigan – whether that should be attributed to the wind, the rivalry game, nerves or just plain bad performance won’t be known until he plays the Boilermakers.
MSU looks to ground game for Purdue upset
Junior quarterback Brian Hoyer hands the ball off to junior running back Javon Ringer during the game against U-M last Saturday at Spartan Stadium.
Hoyer should feel fortunate for the opportunity to rebound against Purdue, as it allows the fourth-most passing yards per game and has the third-least sacks in the Big Ten.
He’ll have plenty of time to throw and should locate open receivers — the next step is hitting them.
Edge: Hoyer
Purdue quarterback Curtis Painter vs. MSU pass defense
With the way U-M quarterback Chad Henne tore apart the Spartan secondary, which misplayed jump ball after jump ball, Painter must have been salivating during film sessions.
Purdue’s spread offense is ranked second in the Big Ten and it’ll have no problem belittling an MSU pass defense that has seen better days when the two squads square off Saturday.
Edge: Painter
MSU running backs vs. Purdue run defense
The Spartans don’t own the conference’s second-best rushing offense for no reason.
Running backs senior Jehuu Caulcrick and junior Javon Ringer have provided a dual-back system that most coaches would kill to have.
Caulcrick and Ringer will have Penn State head coach Joe Paterno looking for any way to stop the two backs Nov. 17, when the Nittany Lions come to Spartan Stadium for the regular season finale.
Edge: MSU
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Purdue running back Kory Sheets vs. MSU run defense
The Boilermakers have run the ball the least in the Big Ten, but that’s not because they don’t trust running back Kory Sheets.
The spread offense calls for more passing plays and it has worked beautifully for Purdue. Sheets averages a respectable 5.1 yards per carry, meaning the Spartans will have their hands full on the ground. The pass-heavy offense also could catch MSU off guard, which will only enhance Sheets’ game.
Edge: Sheets
MSU junior wide receiver Devin Thomas vs. Purdue cornerback Terrell Vinson
Thomas is certainly the go-to guy in the passing game and his Big Ten-leading 971 receiving yards express that. Still, Vinson’s Big Ten-leading five interceptions express that he is a shutdown corner. Plus, the recent inconsistency of quarterback Brian Hoyer doesn’t exactly favor Thomas in this situation.
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Edge: Even
Purdue wide receiver Dorien Bryant vs. MSU junior cornerback Kendell Davis-Clark
Bryant is fifth in the Big Ten with 795 receiving yards and he has eight touchdown receptions.
Last week against U-M, the MSU secondary was about as effective as an abortion rights activist at the Republican National Convention. They rushed three defenders many times and still couldn’t solve the Wolverine passing attack.
Davis-Clark is part of that secondary — if given the choice, throw his way.
Edge: Bryant
— Compiled by Zack Colman
