Wisconsin Badgers vs Purdue Boilermakers Preview

The Wisconsin Badgers, fresh from their off week, will resume their 2009 campaign taking on the Purdue Boilermakers at Camp Randall. Purdue, who has had a very good season despite their 3-5 record, have one quality win on their schedule and that was the stunning upset over the Ohio State Buckeyes just two weeks ago. Led by quarterback, and all around threat Joey Elliott, Purdue will try to extend the Badgers current losing streak of 2 games. Elliott comes into this game passing for just over 2 thousand yards and 14 passing touchdowns. He is also the team’s second leading rusher behind tail back Ralph Bolden who has rushed for 720 yards on the season and 5 touchdowns. The aforementioned Elliott has rushed for 220 yards and 3 scores. Purdue’s offense has been unmistakable this season as only twice out of 8 games have they failed to score 20 points. The problem that they have to deal with is their defense. The defense averages nearly 27 points per game to opposing teams and the Badgers are no slouch at putting points on the board when they are clicking.

The Badgers defense took a major blow, however, as leading tackler and outside linebacker Mike Taylor was ruled out for the season with a serious knee injury that he sustained against Iowa. Taylor, a red shirt freshmen, leads the team with 46 tackles on the year. The Badgers certainly have a tough test ahead of them, as Purdue is very capable of scoring quickly and it will take a great performance by the Badgers secondary to allow Wisconsin to come away with the win.

It will be very interesting to see how the Badgers come out of their off week against Purdue. Not just because of game play rust, but because with the losses to Big Ten powerhouses Iowa and Ohio State, Wisconsin’s Big Ten title hopes are pretty much gone. Hopefully that notion does not affect the Badgers as they are one win away from becoming bowl eligible, which usually deems well for Wisconsin. The Badgers do have five games left on their schedule with three of them on the road. Other than the loss to Iowa, the Badgers were undefeated at home and really seem to step up their game in front of the Madison faithful. It is safe to assume that this game will be somewhere in the twenties or thirties for points and very close most of the game. We shall see who will step up to deliver the final blow, or who will have a big game to make a statement to the college football world. This game will be seen on ESPN2 and will begin at 11 am.

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