Boilers seek proof at Michigan

WEST LAFAYETTE – Sometimes humiliation is a great motivator. Just ask Purdue linebacker Chris Carlino and the rest of the Boiler defense.

Nobody has forgotten the way Wisconsin steamrolled that defense with 266 rushing yards six days ago. Now Purdue heads to Michigan on Saturday and redemption is a top priority.

“We all feel we have something to prove,” Carlino said. “Getting beat like that gives you a sense that you have to re-establish yourself.”

The Boilers (3-6) have no margin for error, in part because they have to win their final three games to become bowl eligible, in part because they haven’t won at Michigan (5-4) since 1966.

At least they face a struggling Wolverine team. Michigan has lost four of its last five games after a 4-0 start. In the last two weeks it lost at Penn State 35-10 and at Illinois 38-13. The Illini had been winless in the Big Ten.

Still, coach Danny Hope doesn’t see the Wolverines as being vulnerable.

“They strike fast on offense and they’re quick on defense,” Hope said. “They have a lot of talented players. They’ve had some mishaps in games that have cost them. They’ve had some turnovers and unfortunate events. They weren’t that far off in some of the games they’ve lost. They have great players and make some great plays. Lots of them.”

Michigan wins with offense. It leads the Big Ten in scoring (31.6 points) and rushing offense (207.6 yards). It is seventh in the conference in scoring defense, allowing 25.1 points.

“Michigan’s offense does a great job of keeping them in the game,” quarterback Joey Elliott said, “so our defense will have to step up.”

The Wolverines are not a power-running team like Wisconsin. They utilize a spread attack that has enabled six players to rush for at least 181 yards. Tailback Carlos Brown leads with 465 yards.

“They’re fast and good,” Hope said. “They spread you out and get the ball to (their playmakers) in a hurry. It happens fast so you’d better get there in a hurry or they’ll be gone.”

Michigan plays two quarterbacks and both can run. Denard Robinson is the better runner. He’s rushed for 287 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 5.4 yards a carry. Tate Forcier has rushed for 214 yards and averages 2.5 yards a carry.

Forcier is the main passer. He’s 107-for-193 for 1,424 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions. Robinson is just 11-for-22 for 179 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions.

“I don’t look at either one of them as being that much different,” Hope said. “Maybe they choose to use them differently, but both of those guys can really run and really throw. They’re exceptional athletes. (Robinson) was the fastest guy in the state of Florida last year. He’s really fast. Both of them are top-of-the-line passers and runners. I don’t see defending them differently.”

While the statistics show Michigan’s defensive liabilities (it is also sixth against the pass and eighth against the run), Elliott sees plenty of potential trouble.

“Their linebackers are very good and they have tremendous athletes,” he said. “They have athletes all over the field.”
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