I love Punt Counterpunt.  I kind of miss the days when someone would actually predict an opponent winning, thus actually giving us a counter opinion.  On the other hand, if I were writing it, I would definitely predict a comfortable M win.  My rose-colored glasses say we put it all together and cruise 31-9.

in opining my optimism about playing Purdue and beating the Boilermakers as a rite of passion, over much of my lifetime, I erroniously contended that I had only witnessed one loss at their hands as a Michigan fan. This is, of course, untrue. Because Purdue has actually beaten a version of the Wolverines under the watch of two of our last three coaches, Lloyd, Rich Rod and Hoke.

I think the worst loss was a probably a home loss to the Boilers under Rich Rod, 38-36, not because of score but because of the outcome. But he also lost one of those games we'd like to forget Michigan even participated in his first year as coach, 48-42, at West Lafayette in 2008.

There was an earlier shootout loss there under Carr in 2000, the same year of the 54-51 Northwestern loss, with Drew Brees at the controls for the Boilers in a year Michigan actually won the Big Ten and beat the Buckeyes on the road, for the last time. That team featured Drew Henson as the team's offensive leader.

So, it is possible when looking back at these things to realize that it is possible to lose under the circumstances of having either great quarterbacks or playing sloppy defense, one or the other inevitably leads to uncertain heartbreaks.

However, when you have a great defense and it plays accordingly whether home or on the road, the likelihood of an upset is severely lessened, either by probability or by historical circumstance. And today, I put that contention to practice in confidently believing this version of the Wolverines (the same feeling that was engendered gameday against Florida on the road) that Michigan defensive prowress will answer the call of victory with the offense and ST helping out as needed.

This my point to my previous counterpoint.

 

Something I really hoped would happen, happened. Toys “R” Us declared bankruptcy.

 

You do realize that he didn't declare bankruptcy, but the company did?  Lots of regular employees, who are probably perfectly decent people, will lose their jobs.  He'll come out of it better than all of them.    

 

Scaled down approach from both P and CP,  lean and to the point, especially enjoy the powerful closing sentences in each.  

34-13 although hoping Don Brown's guys don't allow any points at all.

 

Michigan 30, Purdue 0.

This really feels like when Michigan played BYU and Northwestern in 2015. Both teams had hot starts but had not played anyone close to Michigan's caliber. They were fools gold, if you will. I feel like Purdue is a this this year. Sure, they have gotten off to good starts but they are still only ranked 66 offensively, and 71 over all according to the advanced stats at S&P+. This overall ranking is a few spots below Cinci. The best defense they have played was the cardnals, who were 39th, a far cry from Michigan number 2. People also talk about the big win verse Missouri, well, there are only a few power 5 teams clearly worse than them. Additionally, Missouri's D is ranked 100th. Purdue will no doubt get some big wins. But this is really not a good matchup for their offense. I also think Michigan can and will take advantage of their weaknesses on defense by finally open up the play book. This seems like a good week to open up the play action to the TE in the seem. Now that it's big ten season and the offense has a few games under it's belt I also expect more exotic plays to be called that we witnessed over Harbaugh's first two year. All in all, I see a 42-10 type game here. Go blue!!

Fuck Dave Brandon

32 - 17, Michigan

I have zero idea what to expect today. I really don't.

My rational side is telling me that our defense is gonna flat-out dominate, and that Purdue's stats have been grossly inflated by playing lousy defenses. But there's also this nagging thought in my brain that's telling me that our offense has to do SOMETHING today, and won't be able to win with defense alone -- and that's bugging the shit out of me.

I think that a lot of questions about this team will be answered today.

 

 

Wtf is Night Gallery?

I think people are too eager to overlook what Purdue is doing on both sides of the ball.

We seem to be discounting Purdue's performances vs. Louisville (2-1), Ohio (2-1) and Missouri (1-2) because those teams are bad.

Offensively Brohm has turned the program upside down in short order.

Purdue is ranked 18th in the nation in offensive efficiency, ranked 37th in offensive explosiveness and 22nd in the nation in finishing drives!!  This is absurd even against crap competition like Ohio and Missouri, both of whom Purdue decisively buried, which NOBODY predicted they would.

All Purdue really needs to do is get a lead on Michigan buy two scores and hold it.  Michigan's defense is stout, but in night road games on upset alert, Michigan's luck in refs and penalties-----yeah, we know already how upsets are made possible.

Offensively Michigan is not an efficient team at all (ranked 108th in offensive efficiency) and almost dead last in finishing drives (118th).   It's explosiveness on offense is actually high (ranked 17th), thanks to long runs and big pass plays for TDs.But penalties and lack of efficiency issues have all but negated explosiviness impact on the scoreboard

Michigan's rushing success rate is ranked 98th among 120 teams.  That is not too surprising given Michigan is replacing 3 of 5 along the OL>

Michigan's passing success rate is eerily ranked 99th mong 120 teams. This is unbelievable given Michigan's returning WRs and TEs, phenomenal freshmen WR talent and a RS Jr., second year starting QB.

So I don't agree with those who have the idea this Michigan offense can and will overpower anybody.  They certainly did not overpower Cincinnatti or Air Force as they should have. And they won't overpower Purdue either except maybe on the left side of the line (Cole, Bredeson) on occasion.

That's enough for a team less talented and more poorly coached than Purdue to upset.

Michigan's biggest roadblock has been itself. Exection and penalties, especially on offense.

If it weren't for Don Brown, man. I don't know.

 

Michigan 35, Purdue 6.

Nearly nailed it.