Michigan Football: Preview, predictions and live stream vs. Purdue

Top ten ranked Michigan football looks to keep the train rolling as it faces Purdue this weekend. Here is our preview of the matchup.

The Michigan Wolverines are undefeated and climbing the ranks, but now they head to Purdue to face the surging Boilermakers. At his press conference Monday, Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh had nothing but good things to say about first year Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm. He even called him a favorite for coach of the year. Can Brohm back up that claim with a statement win at home over Michigan?

Purdue has been quite the interesting team so far. They opened the season with a seven point loss to Louisville, yup like Lamar Jackson Louisville. They then followed that up with a win over Ohio and a 35-3 blow out win at Mizzou. Quarterback David Blough has racked up 597 yards with a 76 percent completion percentage three games into the season. He has six touchdowns to two interceptions on the season and has been sacked seven times.

That sack number is what may give Michigan an edge in this one.  While the offense is struggling to consistently put points on the board, this defense is no joke. For a unit that lost all but one starter to graduation or the pros, they have only given up an average of 208 yards in their first three games.

As it stands right now, Michigan’s defense may just have to keep the team afloat and that starts with Saturday afternoon’s showdown.

Here’s how to watch Saturday’s Michigan vs. Purdue game:

Date: Saturday, Sept. 23
Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: West Lafayette, Ind.
Venue: Ross-Ade Stadium
TV: FOX
Live Stream: FOX Sports Go

Keys to Victory

For Purdue, the keys to pulling off this big upset are simple in theory, yet harder in execution. As the Michigan offense struggles, the Purdue offense will have to start on fire and never let up. This team stood toe to toe with Lamar Jackson and Louisville, they shouldn’t forget that. Beating Michigan is doable, though it will be a tall task.

Their defense will have to be stout and strong, limiting the Wolverines scoring opportunities and throw them off their game. At the end of week three, Purdue sits at second in the league in terms of defensive efficiency. That doesn’t happen by accident. The unit just needs to keep on trucking against Michigan.

As for Michigan, they simply need to play their game. The defense needs to stay as stout as it has been because there is no guarantees the offense has figured out its issues by Saturday at 4 p.m. ET. The team only scored two touchdowns against Air Force last weekend, one on a punt return and one on a 36-yard run after blown coverage. That will not cut it versus the surging Boilermakers.

To really establish themselves as a contender, Michigan will need to put up points early and often. The other teams that round out the top ten seem to have it figured out on offense and if Michigan doesn’t join the pack soon, they may get left behind.

Prediction

This one will raise blood pressures and heart rates, but Michigan will come out on top due to sheer athleticism and strength. Purdue will hang around, but by the end it will be all Michigan. The Wolverine offense will figure out some of the answers to the questions that surround the unit, but won’t play well enough to win the conference any time soon.

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The Purdue offense is high powered and quick, if they establish that quickly and efficiently they have a chance to come out with a victory or if anything a close loss. This game could be interesting, stressful and an all out defensive battle but I think Michigan comes out on top.

Final Score: Michigan 27, Purdue 21