Purdue vs. Michigan: Why This Is the Biggest Game of the Year for the Wolverines

The Michigan Wolverines will go into today’s matchup with Purdue with a 6-1 record and a Top 20 national ranking, and they’ve been installed as two-touchdown favorites by the boys in Vegas.

All of that basically means nothing at this point, though, considering we still have that image in our heads of the Wolverines getting off to a similar hot start last year and then collapsing down the stretch, losing six out of their last eight games, a swoon that ended up costing coach Rich Rodriguez his job.

This Michigan team has been in this same exact spot before and it failed to get the job done.

Last year’s loss to Michigan State sent the Wolverines into free-fall mode, but hopefully, this team has learned its lesson and won’t repeat that same pattern after getting beat up in East Lansing two weeks ago.

Brady Hoke has had a much-needed off-week to help prepare his squad and get all of his players regrouped and refocused for the stretch run of the season, and it has to all start today against a pesky Purdue team that you don’t want to let hang around.

Michigan has to come out strong against the Boilermakers and make the statement that this isn’t the same team we saw collapse last year.

This is the game that will act as the catalyst for the rest of the season, which includes a schedule that is by no means easy.

After Purdue, the Wolverines will have four tough battles against Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and, of course, Ohio State.

This is not the time to play sluggish football.

Purdue may only be 4-3 on the season, but this is a big statement game and it’s the type of game that can either propel Michigan to late season success, or send the Wolverines spiraling out of control once again.