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A Big Ten battle is on tap between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Purdue Boilermakers at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium. The two teams each escaped (but just barely!) with wins against their previous opponents.
Last week, Nebraska won a contest that couldn't have been any closer, slipping by the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 14-13. The win came about thanks to a strong surge after the half to overcome a 13 to nothing deficit. No one had a standout game offensively for the Cornhuskers, but they got scores from TE Travis Vokolek and WR Trey Palmer.
Speaking of close games: it was all tied up 17-17 at the half for Purdue and the Maryland Terrapins last week, but the Boilermakers stepped up in the second half for a 31-29 victory. Purdue's TE Payne Durham filled up the stat sheet, catching seven passes for one TD and 109 yards. That receiving effort made it the first game that Durham has posted more than 100 yards receiving.
Nebraska is the clear underdog, so they're hoping it's the size of the fight that determines this one. Those burned by picking them against the spread last Friday might want to keep in mind that the squad has not yet dropped back-to-back games against the spread this season.
The wins brought Nebraska up to 3-3 and the Boilermakers to 3-2. A pair of stats to keep an eye on: The Cornhuskers come into the game boasting the 24th most rushing touchdowns in the nation at 14. But Purdue ranks eighth in the nation when it comes to rushing touchdowns allowed, with only three on the season. We'll see if their defense can keep Nebraska's running backs out of the end zone.
