FanNation - The Republic of Sport

              When I was a kid, I always pondered the question of who would win a fight between Batman and Superman?  Between a hippo and an elephant? A hobo versus a hippie?  Santa Claus versus Jesus? 

            I'm grown up now but things haven't changed much.  This week I'm wondering who would win a fight between Purdue Pete and Bucky the Badger?  We'll find out this Saturday when Pete takes on Bucky at University of Wisconsin's Camp Randall Stadium. 

            Purdue heads north to Madison with two consecutive wins under their belt.  Wisconsin, on the other hand, comes off a bye week with two consecutive losses against Ohio State and Iowa.  With a week off after two losing fights, Bucky the Badger is eager to get back to winning ways.  Though the Badgers come into Saturday's contest with a 5-2 record so far, their conference record is identical to Purdue's with two wins and losses.  Wisconsin suffered losses to Ohio State (31-13) and Iowa (20-10).

            Origami, the Japanese art form of folding paper into beautiful things, reminds me a lot about Purdue football.  On paper, the Boilermakers look real good.  Wisconsin is also beautifully folded with neat looking statistics of a similar fashion.  But in the end, what's on paper is simply that:  a piece of paper that anyone trained in origami can fold expertly.  That's what sports information directors are paid to do with words and statistics. 

            On paper, Purdue and Wisconsin look very similar.  Purdue scores an average of 27.6 points per game and Wisconsin isn't far off with 28.3.  While Purdue rushes an average of 146 yards per game, Wisconsin runs more with 184 per game.  Conversely, Purdue throws more with 254 yards per game average versus the Badgers 210 yard passing average.  That should be no surprise.  Of 120 NCAA football teams measured, Purdue ranks 41^st in total offense while Wisconsin ranks 48^th.   More glaring, unfortunately, is the difference in total defense where the Badgers are ranked 38^th and Purdue is 30 slots lower, ranked 68th. 

            What are the things that tips the scales  for one team this week?  Financial advisors like to look at trends when offering an opinion.  Purdue's nonconference schedule featured tougher opponents like Oregon and Notre Dame.  Instead, Wisconsin edged out Northern Illinois by eight points in their opener, and spent two overtimes to beat Fresno State.  For another, the Badgers soundly beat division II, Wofford. 

            As far as Purdue trends are concerned, turnovers and penalties continue to define the season.  Against the Fightin' Illini, Purdue played their first game without a turnover.  Compare that with a noticeable drop in turnovers against Ohio State, it appears the Boilermaker ball dropping tendency has changed.  Likewise, penalties also decreased.  If Purdue can keep these trends going, they're going to be very competitive against the Badgers. 

            This week's "trend" question: what's happening with Purdue's tacking challenges?  Wisconsin has the Big Ten's rushing leader in John Clay who averages 102 yards per game. Clay has carried the ball 153 times this season for 716 yards and seven scores.  The Badgers have run 350 offensive plays this year.  Do the math and what is your answer?  If it was: almost half of the plays are going to John Clay, you're right.  If it was something else, let the instructor know and be prepared to show your work.  But here's the kicker to that math problem, and I don't mean to mention Carson Wiggs or Chris Summers:  Purdue running back Ralph Bolden has an almost identical accomplishment.  Bolden has also carried the ball 153 times for 720 yards but only five touchdowns.  Purdue's rushing capability is no different than the Badgers. 

            Who would win a fight between Purdue Pete and Bucky the Badger is a tough argument to settle on paper.  Like Pete, the cartoonish Bucky the Badger character was drawn by the same California-based commercial artist Art Evans in the 1940s, under contract from a university bookstore!  Along with Vegas line computations, it might appear the edge belongs to Wisconsin since they're playing at home.  For Purdue, Ross Ade attendance dropped to a low of 47,000 fans, give or take a few hundred.  Home town crowds haven't been as friendly or supportive as the past.  Purdue does have to overcome a trend of road game losses that date back to 2003!  The next three of four games are away games.  Purdue also needs three wins to become bowl eligible. 

            It's going to be a fight Purdue fans.  We're duking it out in Bucky's backyard.  Keeping turnovers to a minimum and controlling the ball will work wonders in Madison.  Boiler Up Purdue Pete!  We know you can beat up Bucky!