The Call: Everything to know ahead of Gophers vs. Purdue

Kickoff: 6:30 p.m., Saturday

Where: Huntington Bank Stadium

TV/Radio: BTN, 100.3-FM

Line: Gophers by 8½ (50.5 over/under)

After absorbing a 42-3 pounding from Ohio State last week, the Gophers return home to face a Purdue team that lives in a different Big Ten neighborhood than the top-ranked Buckeyes. The Boilermakers have shown strides in rebuilding under first-year coach Barry Odom, scoring 27 or more points in four games. Minnesota can’t afford to overlook a Purdue team that has won the past two in the series.

Homecoming Weekend

Saturday’s game is Homecoming for the Gophers, and coach P.J. Fleck said earlier in the week that more than 200 former players were expected for the game, the most returnees in Fleck’s nine seasons at Minnesota. The alums participating include the 65th reunion of the 1960 national championship team.

Ohio State’s front seven is a handful for any opposing offensive line, and that was the case with the Gophers. Minnesota’s line had its worst ranking of the season from Pro Football Focus, especially in run blocking, which received a poor 48.4 grade. The Gophers must turn that around quickly and should have chances to do so against Purdue.

Can the Gophers prevent chunk plays?

Ohio State had a five-play stretch in the first half during which it had gains of 48, 31 and 49 yards. Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith will do that to a defense, but the Gophers must not let Purdue take an easy path to the end zone.

Purdue QB Ryan Browne vs. Gophers secondary

Browne, who transferred to North Carolina in the offseason before returning to Purdue, averages 267.6 passing yards per game, third most in the Big Ten. He’s throwing a conference-most 34.4 passes per game, but his five interceptions show he’s not completely accurate. Gophers safeties Kerry Brown and Koi Perich could take advantage.

Taylor returned from a two-game injury absence at Ohio State but was used sparingly as the score got out of hand. Look for the Gophers’ difference-maker to have a key role vs. Purdue. Correa will be tasked to stop Taylor. The transfer from UNLV ranks 13th nationally with 49 tackles.

0 | Touchdowns allowed by Purdue in the fourth quarter this season. The Boilermakers also have given up only nine fourth-quarter points.

These are not the Ryan Walters Boilermakers, a team that went 0-11 last year, was shut out three times and gave up 66 points twice. Purdue fired Walters and hired Odom away from UNLV. He’s made the Boilermakers competitive again, so this won’t be a gimme for Minnesota. The Gophers will need a strong offensive showing to win this game, and they should get it as Taylor takes on a bigger role and quarterback Drake Lindsey efficiently spreads the ball around.