For both the Purdue Boilermakers and the Northwestern Wildcats, there is no “easing into” the 2018 season. They face one another in a pivotal Big Ten West division clash that takes place two days before the season begins in earnest for most everybody else.
All eyes will be upon the nationally televised contest that features a mystery at the most important position of all, quarterback, for both sides.
Kickoff/TV info: Thursday August 30, ESPN, 7pm Cst
Line: Purdue -3
Purdue Preview:
For a full synopsis of every position on this Purdue team, and a comprehensive outlook on the season in general, go to our Boilermakers season preview at this link.
One of the most interesting aspects of this game will be the chess match between the two coaches, due to the aforementioned mysteries at the QB position. For Northwestern, is Clayton Thorson really 100%? For Purdue, will they play both signal callers and which one will play most of the snaps?
We talked Purdue, the QB battle specifically and the Big Ten in general on the Hammer and Rails podcast. You can hear that by clicking below:
In fact, this game will probably be won by either Jeff Brohm or Pat Fitzgerald, and it may have already been decided given by which team had the better preseason training camp.
When you open the season with a conference game, instead of a mid-major cream puff, training camp takes on an added layer of importance. We’ve broken down the Purdue QB battle between Elijah Sindelar and David Blough for you already in detail at this link. For audio of the two QBs at Media Day, plus linebacker Markus Bailey (arguably the team’s best player) as well as Brohm, go to this link.
Brohm said at media day that this team relishes the opportunity to play a challenging schedule in 2018, and that the program is at the point that they should be playing a formidable schedule. However, he also cautioned that this year could get ugly if they don’t play well. One could infer from that he probably has some concerns about depth, given the dismal state in which Hazell left the program for him.
The Boilermakers are lacking depth at linebacker, and have some question marks on the defensive line. However, their defense played much better than expected last season and there’s optimism they could do that again this year. The offense impressed in year one of the Brohm era, and hopes are high for the unit again this season.
Northwestern Preview:
For a full synopsis of every position on this Wildcats team, and a comprehensive outlook on the season in general, go to our Wildcats season preview at this link. For a breakdown of the QBs in line to start, should Thorson go down, click on this story link.
For a photo and video tour of the new $270,000,000 practice facility go to this link.
The Wildcats have to replace their best player on both sides of the ball this season, and that includes arguably the greatest running back in school history.
Jeremy Larkin is the main man at tailback now, and he may have to carry the load, at least early on, given the questions NU could have in the passing game. NU has a lot of positions of strength, at least on paper, this season and those position groups will be tested in this one. Cornerback Montre Hartage is probably the best NFL prospect the program has seen in several years, while defensive end Joe Gaziano is expected to take his pass rushing production up a notch this season.
Here below is our exclusive with Larkin, where you can learn a whole lot more about him, so enjoy:
Here’s our interview of Hartage below:
Here’s our interview with Joe Gaziano:
Finally, here’s Fitzgerald holding court with the media at Northwestern Media Day:
Prediction:
This feels like a 7 win season, or thereabouts, for NU. Iowa is considered by most the team with the best chance of challenging division hegemon Wisconsin for supremacy. Obviously the Wildcats, as well as their opponent here, will have a lot to say about that. This clash could determine third or fourth place finish in the division.
Contending for double digits and/or a slot in Indianapolis come early December would definitely be over-achieving for both Northwestern and Purdue.
Prediction: Northwestern 21, Purdue 19
2018 College Football Season Previews
#12 Notre Dame Northern Illinois Northwestern Purdue #11 Michigan State
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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