Michigan State Football: 5 reasons the Spartans will beat Purdue

Sep 26, 2015; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers quarterback David Blough (11) throws a pass 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

4. David Blough’s inexperience at QB

Although he looked solid in his first career start for the Boilermakers, redshirt freshman David Blough has very little experience and he has yet to play a defense like Michigan State’s. Sure, the Spartans’ secondary, as mentioned before, is not the most impressive unit in the Big Ten, but they’re still more stingy than Bowling Green’s defensive backs.

Related: Michigan State vs Purdue: 5 potential breakout players

The Spartans will need to put forth their best effort to slow down Blough, who seems to be more talented and elusive than the player he replaced, Austin Appleby, but the inexperience will show, especially late in the game when Michigan State is putting the pressure on him with blitzes.

Once the pressure is on and Blough is spilled from the pocket, don’t be surprised if he panics and throws ill-advised passes to the MSU defense.

Danny Anthrop is a solid escape valve, but Michigan State should have no problem preventing him from catching the deep ball — all other defenses have done just that this season. Purdue has the weapons in the receiving corps, but the Boilermakers might have a tough go of things when Shilique Calhoun, Malik McDowell and Lawrence Thomas — along with Riley Bullough — really turn up the heat.

Next: 3. Run game will break out