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Michigan State vs Purdue: Getting to know the Boilermakers

By Connor Muldowney

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Saturday’s matchup with Purdue could be a tricky one for Michigan State seeing as the Boilermakers seem to always give the Spartans a tough battle.

Related: Michigan State vs Purdue: 5 players who need to step up

In fact, last season, Michigan State needed a late pick-six on the road in 2014 to beat the Boilermakers 45-31 and the year before, the Spartans limped to the finish line against Purdue, winning an ugly 14-0 contest.

Offense

Sep 26, 2015; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers quarterback David Blough (11) looks for a teammate while trying to outrun Bowling Green Falcons defensive lineman Bryan Baird (99) during the second half of the game at Ross Ade Stadium. The Bowling Green Falcons defeated the Purdue Boilermakers 35 to 28. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan State seems to find a way to play teams with solid aerial attacks each week. Unfortunately for the Spartans, redshirt freshman David Blough has earned himself a role as the starting quarterback for the Boilermakers after Austin Appleby struggled to start the season, throwing five touchdowns and six interceptions.

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Blough seems to be the much better quarterback as he passed for 340 yards on 29-of-39 passes with two touchdowns, an interception and a rushing touchdown against Bowling Green.

When healthy, senior receiver Danny Anthrop is the team’s top target, but he has been catching nothing but short passes this year, averaging 7.8 yards per reception. He has a team-high 16 catches but for just 124 yards and a touchdown.

Junior receiver DeAngelo Yancey leads the team with 250 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 13 receptions while running back D.J. Knox is second on the team in receptions with 15 for 110 yards.

Knox also leads the 78th-best rushing offense in the country with 251 yards and a touchdown on 3.9 yards per carry. Markell Jones may be the more electric runner, though, as he averages 6.5 yards per carry with his 248 yards and three scores.

Defense

Sep 26, 2015; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Bowling Green Falcons wide receiver Ronnie Moore (5) evades a tackle from Purdue Boilermakers linebacker Ja

Luckily for the Spartans, Purdue struggles on this side of the ball. The Boilermakers rank 104th in the country in terms of points allowed per game (35.3) and have allowed 41, 51 and 35 points in each of their three losses this year. The only win for the Boilermakers was against FCS squad Indiana State.

As for passing defense, Connor Cook should have no issue airing it out against Purdue as the Boilermakers rank 100th in the country in passing yards allowed with 266 per contest. This could be the game in which we really see why Cook is a Heisman contender. Purdue has also allowed the fifth-most completions in college football.

The run-stopping ability of the Boilermakers isn’t all that impressive, either. Purdue allows about 175 yards rushing per game while the Spartans average about 163 yards on the ground — the only reason it’s so low is because of a mediocre showing against Air Force.

Expect Madre London, L.J. Scott and Gerald Holmes to really establish the run early.

Special Teams

Sep 19, 2015; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers place kicker Paul Griggs (37) kicks a PAT as Purdue Boilermakers place kicker Thomas Meadows (30) holds in the first half at Ross Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports

This is one special teams unit in which Michigan State may have the upper hand against. Senior kicker Paul Griggs was solid in 2014, making 16-of-20 field goals and 32-of-33 extra points. However, he has already missed more field goals in four games of 2015 than he did all of last year.

Currently, Griggs is just 3-of-8 with two misses of 40-plus yards, two misses from 30-39 yards and a miss from under 30 yards. It’s been a season to forget for the senior.

As for punt and kickoff returns and coverage, the Boilermakers’ longest punt return this year has been just nine yards, the longest kick return has been 26 yards and they have allowed a punt return touchdown and given up an 82-yard kick return.

Michigan State might just dominate special teams in this one.

Next: 5 reasons why 5-star SF Miles Bridges will commit to MSU

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