No. 21 Gophers vs. Purdue, 11 a.m. Saturday, Huntington Bank Stadium, ESPN2, 100.3-FM
By hammering Michigan State 34-7 on the road last week, the Gophers grabbed the attention of the college football world. The pollsters noticed, ranking Minnesota No. 21 in the AP Top 25. The next challenge: Keep a special season going on homecoming against Purdue while being the hunted instead of the hunter.
Three big story lines
1. Will QB Aidan O'Connell play for Purdue?
O'Connell, a sixth-year senior who passed for 3,712 yards and 28 TDs last year, suffered an undisclosed injury at Syracuse on Sept. 17 and didn't play last week against Florida Atlantic. Coach Jeff Brohm said O'Connell will be a game-time decision. If he can't play, backup Austin Burton will start.
2. How will the Gophers handle in-game adversity, if they get it?
So far, coach P.J. Fleck's team has yet to trail in a game. That can happen when the first-team defense hasn't surrendered a touchdown all season. Purdue, an offense-minded team under Brohm, figures to push the pace and has weapons like receiver Charlie Jones to put up points.
3. Will Tanner Morgan continue to spread the ball around?