Big Ten foes will meet this weekend in West Lafayette, as the Purdue Boilermakers play host to the Michigan State Spartans. One word that can certainly be used to describe Michigan State is inconsistent. After opening the season with four consecutive wins, the Spartans dropped three straight decisions. Fortunately, the squad was able to halt that slide with a 46-15 thrashing of Indiana last weekend. MSU has now scored more than 30 points in all but two games this season, proof of the team's offensive explosiveness. As for Purdue, it seems like an eternity since the team got off to a promising 2-0 start. Since then, the Boilermakers have suffered six consecutive defeats, including last weekend's 33-15 loss to Penn State. Four of the last five losses have come by double figures, and a bowl berth is out of the question. Michigan State owns a narrow 28-26-3 edge in the all-time series with Purdue, but the Boilermakers have won the last two meetings.
Michigan State is one of the top offensive teams in the nation, as the club is averaging 38.9 ppg and 532.6 total ypg. The key for the Spartans has been tremendous balance, as they have been able to run and throw the ball successfully. The offense has racked up 39 touchdowns in eight games, with 19 on the ground and 20 through the air. Of those 20 touchdown passes, 18 have come off the arm of Drew Stanton, who has completed 66.7 percent of his passes for 2,284 yards with only seven interceptions. Rather than rely on one or two receivers, Stanton has been able to spread the ball around. Five different players have caught more than 22 passes, and six players have caught at least two scoring tosses. As for the ground attack, MSU boasts a strong duo consisting of Jehuu Caulcrick and Javon Ringer. It is Ringer that leads the charge with 693 yards on 7.2 ypc, and he has five rushing touchdowns. As for Caulcrick, he has racked up 450 yards and seven scores while averaging an outstanding 5.6 ypc. In the romp over Indiana last weekend, Michigan State piled up 493 total yards. Stanton accounted for three touchdowns, and Ringer ran for 109 yards and a score on just 11 attempts.
The Michigan State defense has not been consistent this season, and the result is rather lackluster statistics. The club is surrendering 27.0 ppg 414.4 total ypg, and the biggest problem for the Spartans has been their inability to stop the run. They are allowing 280.0 ypg through the air with only eight interceptions and 21 passing touchdowns surrendered. While Stanton and the offense can stack up well with any team, the Michigan State defense has prevented the club from reaching its potential. Eric Smith has clearly been the most active defender for MSU, as he has made 76 total tackles thus far, 40 more than his closest teammate. Sure, Michigan State gave up almost 400 total yards to Indiana last weekend, but the Spartans came up with four big takeaways and surrendered only 15 points. Smith made 11 total stops in the tilt and was a force as usual.
Purdue is averaging 28.0 ppg and 431.5 total ypg, and while those numbers do not stack up to Michigan State's offense, they are much better than those of a typical 2-6 team. The Boilermakers are averaging just a shade under five yards per rushing attempt, and they have scored 19 touchdowns on the ground. Jerod Void has racked up 405 yards and six scores, while Kory Sheets has 393 rushing yards and six touchdowns to his credit. As for the passing attack, Brandon Kirsch has connected on 59.1 percent of his throws for 1,727 yards with only seven touchdowns against eight interceptions, and the mediocre production is a bit surprising considering that the club has a couple of solid receivers. Dorien Bryant has made 61 catches for 725 yards, and Kyle Ingraham has recorded 38 grabs for 468 yards. Unfortunately, Bryant has reached the end zone only three times while Ingraham has yet to score. Purdue managed a mere 277 total yards against Penn State last weekend, as two turnovers and a dismal 2-of-14 effort on third down conversion attempts didn't help the cause. Bryant was held to two catches in that game.
While the Purdue offense has been solid this season, the team's defense has really struggled. The Boilermakers are surrendering 33.9 ppg and 476.0 total ypg, numbers that could obviously stand some major improvement. The club has actually been tough against the run, as opponents are only averaging 3.5 ypc. Unfortunately, Purdue has given up 330.8 ypg through the air and a total of 20 passing touchdowns. The team has registered 15 sacks and 14 takeaways, but those big plays have been greatly outnumbered by negative plays surrendered. Last weekend, the Boilers were scorched for 516 total yards by Penn State, 303 of which came on the ground. Considering that Michigan State can run and pass effectively, the defense may be in major trouble again this weekend.
The dog looks very good at home +4.5
BET ID=130356925
Straight Wager 11/05/05 01:23 ET
200.00/181.82 Result: Pending
MichiganSt
Purdue 11/05/05 (12:00 ET)
Purdue +4.5
Michigan State is one of the top offensive teams in the nation, as the club is averaging 38.9 ppg and 532.6 total ypg. The key for the Spartans has been tremendous balance, as they have been able to run and throw the ball successfully. The offense has racked up 39 touchdowns in eight games, with 19 on the ground and 20 through the air. Of those 20 touchdown passes, 18 have come off the arm of Drew Stanton, who has completed 66.7 percent of his passes for 2,284 yards with only seven interceptions. Rather than rely on one or two receivers, Stanton has been able to spread the ball around. Five different players have caught more than 22 passes, and six players have caught at least two scoring tosses. As for the ground attack, MSU boasts a strong duo consisting of Jehuu Caulcrick and Javon Ringer. It is Ringer that leads the charge with 693 yards on 7.2 ypc, and he has five rushing touchdowns. As for Caulcrick, he has racked up 450 yards and seven scores while averaging an outstanding 5.6 ypc. In the romp over Indiana last weekend, Michigan State piled up 493 total yards. Stanton accounted for three touchdowns, and Ringer ran for 109 yards and a score on just 11 attempts.
The Michigan State defense has not been consistent this season, and the result is rather lackluster statistics. The club is surrendering 27.0 ppg 414.4 total ypg, and the biggest problem for the Spartans has been their inability to stop the run. They are allowing 280.0 ypg through the air with only eight interceptions and 21 passing touchdowns surrendered. While Stanton and the offense can stack up well with any team, the Michigan State defense has prevented the club from reaching its potential. Eric Smith has clearly been the most active defender for MSU, as he has made 76 total tackles thus far, 40 more than his closest teammate. Sure, Michigan State gave up almost 400 total yards to Indiana last weekend, but the Spartans came up with four big takeaways and surrendered only 15 points. Smith made 11 total stops in the tilt and was a force as usual.
Purdue is averaging 28.0 ppg and 431.5 total ypg, and while those numbers do not stack up to Michigan State's offense, they are much better than those of a typical 2-6 team. The Boilermakers are averaging just a shade under five yards per rushing attempt, and they have scored 19 touchdowns on the ground. Jerod Void has racked up 405 yards and six scores, while Kory Sheets has 393 rushing yards and six touchdowns to his credit. As for the passing attack, Brandon Kirsch has connected on 59.1 percent of his throws for 1,727 yards with only seven touchdowns against eight interceptions, and the mediocre production is a bit surprising considering that the club has a couple of solid receivers. Dorien Bryant has made 61 catches for 725 yards, and Kyle Ingraham has recorded 38 grabs for 468 yards. Unfortunately, Bryant has reached the end zone only three times while Ingraham has yet to score. Purdue managed a mere 277 total yards against Penn State last weekend, as two turnovers and a dismal 2-of-14 effort on third down conversion attempts didn't help the cause. Bryant was held to two catches in that game.
While the Purdue offense has been solid this season, the team's defense has really struggled. The Boilermakers are surrendering 33.9 ppg and 476.0 total ypg, numbers that could obviously stand some major improvement. The club has actually been tough against the run, as opponents are only averaging 3.5 ypc. Unfortunately, Purdue has given up 330.8 ypg through the air and a total of 20 passing touchdowns. The team has registered 15 sacks and 14 takeaways, but those big plays have been greatly outnumbered by negative plays surrendered. Last weekend, the Boilers were scorched for 516 total yards by Penn State, 303 of which came on the ground. Considering that Michigan State can run and pass effectively, the defense may be in major trouble again this weekend.
The dog looks very good at home +4.5
BET ID=130356925
Straight Wager 11/05/05 01:23 ET
200.00/181.82 Result: Pending
MichiganSt
Purdue 11/05/05 (12:00 ET)
Purdue +4.5
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