Purdue Boilermakers vs. Michigan State Spartans Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 22nd 2024
Preview and Prediction
Two struggling football teams will clash when Purdue faces off against Michigan State in a Big Ten matchup on Friday in East Lansing, Mich.
The teams' journeys this season have been similar, yet also distinct.
Purdue (1-9, 0-7) enters the game on a nine-game losing streak since their season-opening shutout against Indiana State.
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After making an appearance in the Big Ten championship game just two years ago, the Boilermakers have taken a sharp decline in the second year under head coach Ryan Walters.
Walters' strategy for the final two games of the season is straightforward.
"Go out and compete," he stated. "Put together a solid game plan on both offense and defense, and play clean, competitive football to secure some wins."
Purdue currently ranks last in the Big Ten in both points scored (17.2 per game) and points allowed (38.9). Their top rusher, Devin Mockobee, has accumulated 652 yards and three touchdowns.
The Boilermakers will aim to break their losing streak against a Michigan State team that is also on a downward spiral.
The Spartans (4-6, 2-5) have lost three consecutive games since their victory over Iowa on Oct. 19, including a 38-16 defeat against Illinois last week. In that span, they also suffered losses to Michigan and undefeated Indiana.
The one positive for Michigan State is that they still have a chance at bowl eligibility, something they haven't achieved since 2021.
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The Spartans can secure a bowl game spot with home wins over Purdue and Rutgers to close out the season, which could serve as a building block in Jonathan Smith's first year as head coach.
"I'm not going to ask for patience," Smith declared. "We're not a patient group. However, we do have a perspective that we want to establish certain things. While we haven't seen immediate results, I have faith in the process we're implementing. We're continuously developing our current roster and with new players joining, I am confident that we will see positive results."
Michigan State's trio of running backs, Kay'ron Lynch-Adams, Nate Carter, and quarterback Aidan Chiles, have collectively gained 1,142 yards and scored eight touchdowns.