In typical 2020 fashion, the matchup of the year in the Big Ten West might be Northwestern at Purdue on Saturday night.
Northwestern is off to their first 3-0 start since 2000 and sitting at 23rd in the AP Poll as they travel to West Lafayette this weekend. Purdue is 2-0 after an unexpected bye week last week due to Wisconsin’s Covid-19 cancellations. The two teams typically sit comfortably toward the bottom of the Big Ten standings but the winner of this matchup takes control of Big Ten West and is in the driver’s seat on the road to Indianapolis. Making this week four matchup must-watch television.
What to watch for: Purdue
Aidan O’Connell
Last season’s game in Evanston was O’Connell’s first career start for Purdue. As a walk-on, O’Connell orchestrated game-winning drives against Nebraska and Northwestern as Purdue finished off a lackluster 2019 season. Now O’Connell is starting his third game of the 2020 season with Northwestern being his first repeat opponent.
Last season O’Connell didn’t play exceptionally well against the Wildcats. He was 34-50 with 271 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. This season he is averaging 326.5 yards per game (first in the Big Ten) with a 70.6 percent completion percentage, five touchdowns, and two interceptions. He credits a lot of improvement to being able to watch more film this fall because he is only taking six credit hours in the classroom.
If Purdue wants to win this game they’re going to need O’Connell to stay patient and make good decisions against a stout Northwestern defense. The Wildcats are giving up 12 points a game on average to opposing offenses and 314 yards of total offense. The Boilermakers need O’Connell to make this Northwestern game another stepping stone in his development.
Rondale Moore
The question is, will Rondale Moore even play in this game? The All-American receiver has yet to play a snap this season for the Boilermakers and has fans questioning if he’ll even play at all. When healthy, he’s one of, if not the most, electrifying players in college football. Moore made his Purdue debut against Northwestern in 2018, pulling in 11 receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown. He also ran the ball twice for 79 yards and another touchdown.
His absence has allowed for reigning Big Ten freshman of the year, David Bell, to burst onto the national scene as one of the best receivers in the nation. Bell has 22 receptions for 243 yards and four touchdowns this season. Milton Wright has also benefited from Moore’s absence. Wright has brought in 13 receptions for 185 yards and a touchdown. Purdue has had one of the best offenses in the Big Ten so far this season without Moore, but if they want to make a run at the Big Ten West crown, they’re going to need him back sooner rather than later.
The Run Defense
The Boilermaker defense has had issues stopping the run in 2020. They’re currently giving up 186 yards on the ground per game. Iowa running backs Tyler Goodson and Mekhi Sargent, both rushed for over 70 yards against the Boilers. Illinois trio of running backs also saw success in chunk ground gains. Northwestern features two running backs, Isiah Bowser and Drake Anderson, who are both heavily relied on weapons. If Purdue can find a way to shut down the Northwestern rushing attack, they should find themselves in a good position on Saturday night.
What to watch for: Northwestern
Peyton Ramsey
Ramsey is a familiar foe in West Lafayette. He was a former Indiana Hoosier and now a Northwestern Wildcat. Ramsey has had his share of success against Purdue in his career. Last season in the Bucket game, Ramsey threw for 337 yards and three touchdowns against Purdue. In 2018, he threw for 345 yards and a touchdown.
Although he’s had a lot of success against Purdue in the past, Ramsey hasn’t been anything spectacular this season. He’s thrown for 511 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions on the season but has the Wildcats at 3-0. Despite his struggles, he’s found ways to win and you better believe he’ll be treating this game like he’s playing for the Old Oaken Bucket.
The Northwestern Defense
Northwestern’s defense has been a force to be reckoned with this season. They have yet to give up a second-half point and are only giving up 12 points per game. The question for them will be, how well can they handle Purdue’s high powered offense. Purdue’s offense has a lot of weapons and Head Coach Jeff Brohm likes to get tricky with his playcalling at times. Who would’ve thought that the biggest matchup of the season would be Northwestern’s defense versus Purdue’s offense? What a crazy world we live in.
Purdue opened up as a three-point favorite for Saturday nights game but the line has since shifted to Northwestern -3. You can watch the game on the Big Ten Network.