Why Purdue Will Win The TransPerfect Music City Bowl
Purdue can keep up.
Not having main man David Bell around is a problem, but there are other weapons to play around with – there’s been plenty of time to figure out how to make up for the loss of their main man.
No, Purdue might not have the big play ability Tennessee has, but the short-to-midrange throws will matter, too. The offense will control the clock while working the Vol D that gives up plenty of passing yards.
Tennessee being dead last in time of possession will matter here.
The Vols will wing it around and be explosive, but the running game is a big deal. Against FBS teams the team is 6-0 when averaging five yards or more per carry and was 0-5 when it didn’t.
Purdue allowed 4.2 yards per carry this season and only allowed over five yards per shot against Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Michigan State.
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All things considered, Tennessee comes into this relatively clean on all fronts – knock on wood.
This will be as close to a regular season team as most SEC squads outside of the the College Football Playoff will have, and it should all show up with the offense going off from the start.
It begins with QB Hendon Hooker, who took off once he took over the offense, and now he’s expected to be back for next year after playing in this.
The Purdue defense has been solid all season long, but it got hit hard by the teams that could throw – and there weren’t many of them.
Ohio State went for 361 yards, and Notre Dame and Michigan State were both effective through the air – that’s about it for the dangerous passing attacks on the slate. There were a few offenses that moved with a good pace, but no one had anything like Tennessee is bringing.
The Vols will operate with speed, balance, and will keep the offense moving with points coming in bunches. They can and will hit a few deep shots, while Purdue will mostly crank out the midrange throws.
Not having Bell around hurts, and now losing second-leading receiver Milton Wright – he’s opting out – makes things even harder.
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