Gameday: Gophers at Purdue

GOPHERS OFFENSE VS. PURDUE DEFENSEThe pass rush that covered up so many Boilermaker errors last season is gone now, and opposing quarterbacks are taking advantage. Notre Dame last week rolled up 551 yards of offense, split almost equally between passing and rushing. Purdue has the fewest interceptions in the Big Ten, so the Gophers should be able to hit short passes. Advantage: Minnesota

GOPHERS DEFENSE VS. PURDUE OFFENSE

The Boilermakers have been playing it safe with junior quarterback Caleb TerBush, who has yet to complete a pass longer than 35 yards, so Minnesota's linebackers should get plenty of work. Senior Robert Marve is a much more dangerous passer, but multiple knee surgeries have left him immobile. Advantage: Purdue

SPECIAL TEAMS

Purdue's coverage units are outstanding, leading the Big Ten in kickoffs and ranking second in punting. And senior kicker Carson Wiggs is 6-for-9 on field goals. The Gophers will be without kickoff returner Troy Stoudermire. Freshman Marcus Jones returned a kick for a touchdown last week, though it was called back by a penalty. Advantage: Purdue

INTANGIBLES

It's difficult to say which team is more mistake-prone; Minnesota has allowed three defensive touchdowns in its past two games, while Purdue leads the league in penalties. Both teams are also coming off confidence-shaking blowouts and view this as a rare opportunity to get things turned around. Give Purdue a slight edge for playing at home. Advantage: Purdue

Purdue's defense is far less formidable than what the Gophers have seen the past two weeks, and if MarQueis Gray is able to play and run with abandon, the Gophers could regain some confidence. Still, Purdue should be able to score points. Boilermakers40, Gophers31

1 Times, in 10 tries, Purdue has prevented its opponent from scoring in the red zone.

31.2 The U's third-down conversion rate, lowest in the Big Ten, after going 0-for-11 last week.