Purdue vs. Cincinnati prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins between the Boilermakers and Bearcats.
Purdue vs. Cincinnati Game Preview
When: Saturday, Sept. 10 – Noon ET
Where: Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Ind.
Broadcast: Big Ten Network
Darrell Hazell is firmly on
the hot seat, and it got a little more uncomfortable at times Saturday against an FCS opponent. Purdue ultimately ran away from Eastern Kentucky with a 45-24 win, but the Boilermakers will need to manage a lead better if they get in that position again after a 21-point edge dwindled to 10 by halftime.
A victory over Cincinnati would match last year’s win total and take a little pressure off Hazell and the Boilermakers.
The Bearcats trailed UT-Martin 7-6 at halftime before storming back with 22 points in the second half to win their opener Thursday. Coach Tommy Tuberville said he was pleased with the effort overall, but they’ll need to get off to a better start, especially if Purdue comes out of the gates rolling again.
What To Know About Purdue
The Boilermakers seem to be an improved squad. Just how much better they are remains to be seen when they face an FBS opponent. Markell Jones had a great day on the ground with 145 yards and a touchdown against Eastern Kentucky, and the defense picked off three passes, including two of former Missouri quarterback Maty Mauk’s seven attempts. The Boilermakers had 512 total yards of offense, and David Blough will look to build on his effort after completing 58.1 percent of his passes for 245 yards.
What to Know About Cincinnati
Which offense will show up? The one that turned it over three times in the first half while managing its only touchdown with 19 seconds remaining in the second quarter against UT-Martin? Or the one that protected the ball and scored twice more in the second half? Luckily the defense stepped up, holding the Skyhawks scoreless after their first drive and returning an interception for a touchdown to put the game away.
Advantages
Offense: Even – Purdue scored on their first opening drive of the season for the first time since 2009. Watch for Cincinnati’s Tino Green, who ran 16 times for 97 yards in the opener.
Defense: Even – Both units stepped up when they needed to against seemingly inferior opponents and had a pick six.
Special Teams: Purdue – Cincinnati’s missed extra point at the end of the first half could’ve proven costly.
Coaching: Cincinnati – The edge goes to Tuberville and his staff given they’ve been more successful in recent seasons. Hazell is on the hot seat for a reason.
Intangibles: Cincinnati – Hazell’s first game at Purdue? A 42-7 drubbing at the hands of the Bearcats in 2013, the last meeting between the teams.
Matchup To Watch
Hayden Moore vs. Purdue’s pass defense
Mauk, who led Missouri to big things during his time there, was no match for the Boilermakers’ secondary in his limited action. Moore hopes to have more success after completing 61.8 percent of his passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns in the opener.
Betting Odds
Spread: Cincinnati -7
Over/Under:
Purdue vs. Cincinnati Prediction
Cincinnati bounces back from its up-and-down effort in the opener as Moore and Green solve the Purdue defense.
