Purdue Struggling Through Disastrous Season, Michigan State Still in Playoff Hunt
Purdue Boilermakers vs. Michigan State Spartans Preview: Purdue’s Struggles and Michigan State’s Bowl Hopes
Friday night brings a showdown at Spartan Stadium between the Purdue Boilermakers (1-9, 2-8 ATS) and the Michigan State Spartans (4-6, 4-6 ATS) in a crucial Big Ten matchup. With a scheduled kickoff at 8:00 p.m. EST, both teams are desperate for a win, albeit for very different reasons. This will be Purdue’s first trip to East Lansing since 2018, and while Michigan State still harbors bowl aspirations, Purdue is just trying to avoid further embarrassment in what has been a nightmare season.
The last time these teams met was in 2021, when Purdue claimed a 40-29 victory at home. Can they repeat that performance on the road, or will Michigan State keep their postseason hopes alive?
Purdue’s 2024 Season: A Nightmare Unfolding
The Purdue Boilermakers‘ 2024 season can only be described as a disaster. Currently sitting at 1-9 overall, Purdue is in the midst of a nine-game losing streak, with all seven of their Big Ten losses. This Friday’s game marks the penultimate contest of a season that has felt like it was doomed from the start.
Defensively, Purdue is by far the worst team in the Big Ten. They are allowing a league-high 455.7 yards per game and a staggering 38.9 points per game, which is also the most in the conference. To make matters worse, they’ve given up 5.2 yards per carry and 9.4 yards per pass attempt, struggling mightily in every facet of their defense. In fact, the Boilermakers have surrendered more than 25 points in each of their losses this season.
Offensively, Purdue isn’t much better. The Boilermakers are averaging just 17.2 points per game, the lowest in the Big Ten. Quarterback Hudson Card has struggled, managing only 181.1 passing yards per game with a completion percentage of 59.6%. Despite Devin Mockobee averaging a solid 4.5 yards per carry (with 652 yards on the season), Purdue has often been playing from behind, making it difficult to establish any kind of offensive rhythm. This game presents one of the final opportunities for Purdue to salvage something from a season that has seen little success.
Michigan State Spartans: Still in the Hunt for Bowl Eligibility
The Michigan State Spartans (4-6) have also had their fair share of struggles this season, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. However, the Spartans are still in contention for bowl eligibility. If they can win their final two games, they will secure a spot in a postseason bowl game. The task at hand is daunting, as Michigan State enters Friday’s matchup on a three-game losing streak.
A major issue for the Spartans has been their defense, which has allowed 25.5 points per game this season. While they limit opponents to just 3.8 yards per carry on the ground, they have been vulnerable through the air, surrendering 7.3 yards per pass attempt. Michigan State’s secondary has allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 61.9% of their passes, and they’ve given up at least 20 points in every Big Ten matchup this season. For Michigan State to get back on track, their defense must step up against a struggling Purdue offense.
Offensively, Michigan State has also been anemic, averaging only 19.4 points per game, and they’ve scored more than 20 points just once in their last seven outings. The running game has been ineffective, as the Spartans are averaging just 3.5 yards per carry. Quarterback Aidan Chiles has shown flashes of potential but has struggled with 11 interceptions compared to just 10 touchdown passes. He completes 61.0% of his passes for 7.8 yards per attempt, but Michigan State’s offensive line has allowed 32 sacks this season, further limiting their offensive effectiveness. If the Spartans want to finish the season strong, they need a much better performance on both sides of the ball.
Conclusion
As the season winds down, both Purdue and Michigan State have plenty to play for—though their motivations are vastly different. The Boilermakers are looking for any glimmer of success after a brutal year, while the Spartans are still fighting to secure a bowl game and finish their season on a positive note. Expect Michigan State to pull away in this one, as their defense should overpower Purdue’s struggling offense. For Purdue, it’s another opportunity to salvage pride, but with their defense in tatters, they’ll have a tough time keeping pace with the Spartans.
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