Purdue (3-2 SU, 2-3 ATS) travels to College Park to take on Maryland (4-1 SU, 4-1 ATS) on Saturday from College Park at 12pmET.
The Boilermakers are 1-1 in the Big 10 West after upsetting Minnesota 20-10 on the road last week as a 9.0-point dog. The Terps are coming off a 27-13 home win over Michigan State as a 7.5-point favorite to even their Big Ten East record at 1-1.
These teams, who are from different divisions in the Big 10, have not met since 2019
Minnesota came into their game with Purdue as the No. 21 team in the nation. They were playing about as well as anybody in the Big 10 not named Ohio State. Purdue was getting back quarterback Aidan O'Connell from a one-game absence due to a reported ribs injury, but he threw two interceptions in the first half. The Boilermakers wound up with three turnovers, but they picked off quarterback Tanner Morgan three times.
Purdue was able to get out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter and then with the game tied at 10-all in the third quarter, scored 10 points late in the fourth quarter to get the win. O'Connell completed 27 of 40 for 199 yards and got better as the game went on.
Every. Single. Snap.
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— Purdue Football (@BoilerFootball) October 3, 2022
When healthy, O'Connell has been outstanding this season with 1,190 yards, eight TDs and three picks (65.1%), but you can't overlook WR Charlie Jones, who has 47 receptions for 588 yards and seven TDs to lead FBS in receptions and receiving touchdowns. The junior has come out of nowhere after catching just 39 passes in two previous seasons. Though he's only 6 feet tall, he has legit 4.3 speed and could end up as a high draft pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Defensively, Purdue has played well, allowing 214 yards per game in the air (54th) and 316 yards overall (27th). Offensively, they are averaging 32.8 points per game and 286.8 yards passing yards per game.
Yet despite all these good numbers, Purdue barely beat FAU 28-26 on Sep. 24, lost at Syracuse 32-29 and fell to Penn State at home 35-31 to open the season. They rank 68th in turnover margin at -0.3 and that's been an issue.