Purdue vs. Michigan: Last-Minute Spread Info, Line, BCS Impact and Predictions

The Purdue Boilermakers are heading to Ann Arbor to take on the Michigan Wolverines in a Big Ten showdown.

Purdue is hot off a win against ranked conference rival Illinois, and is looking to ride that momentum into the Big House.

Michigan has other plans as they hope to turn their season around and get a solid win after losing to Michigan State before taking a week off.

Read on to find out all you need to know about this exciting matchup.

Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI

When: Saturday, Oct. 29 at 12:00 p.m. EDT

Watch: ESPN2/ESPN3

Spread: Michigan -13

This is a tough call, but I like Michigan here.

I know that the Wolverines absolutely collapsed the past two seasons after falling to Michigan State, but I think Brady Hoke has his boys mentally focused and ready to dominate at home against Purdue.

If Denard Robinson plays up to his ability, they are going to win by at least two touchdowns, and I think Michigan is the play laying the points.

Over/Under: 52.5

These teams both have pretty solid offenses, but their real strength is on the defensive end.

Purdue gives up 20 points per game, while Michigan allows just 14.7

Even if both teams some how managed to score their average number of points, it wouldn’t be over by much.

I think you take the under here and look for a defensive battle that Michigan comes out on top of.

Key Injuries (via CollegeInjuryReport.com)

Michigan

OL Ricky Barnum, PRB (Ankle): Barnum hasn’t played in two weeks because of a ankle sprain, but should be finally ready to reclaim his starting job from Michael Schofield.

Purdue

DE Robert Maci, OUT (Foot): Maci’s season is officially over after undergoing surgery last week. This kid dominated for the Boilermakers in tackles for losses and will be missed.

BCS/Top 25 Poll Implications

Michigan is currently No. 18 in the BCS rankings while Purdue remains unranked and is receiving no votes in the USA Today or AP polls.

Michigan’s only loss doesn’t look too bad, either, falling to a Michigan State team that stunned Wisconsin last week and is poised to make a run at the Rose Bowl.

They could certainly help themselves by getting a big win here against Purdue, a team that upset No. 23 Illinois last week and gained some credibility back after losing an early season game to Rice.

If Michigan falters here, they will be ejected out of every single human and computer poll and unranked next week. A convincing win would certainly move them up a few spots.

Keys to Purdue Win

Contain Denard Robinson.

If the Boilermakers can contain the Wolverines’ QB, as they did last year, they’ll put themselves in a position to win the game.

Last season, they forced Robinson into two fumbles and two interceptions but still lost as Michigan’s defense dominated them.

They’ll need the same sort of containment on Robinson this year as well as a much better collective effort on the offensive side of the ball.

Keys to Michigan Win

Pound the rock and play defense.

If Michigan lives up to their No. 12 rushing game and No. 8 scoring defense, Purdue doesn’t have a chance.

The Wolverines can score like crazy once they get Denard going on the ground, and the defense has been taking care of the rest.

Mistake free football would be ideal for Michigan if they want to win big, as they managed an eleven-point victory last year even with Robinson playing terribly.

Prediction

Michigan 25-Purdue 10