Western Michigan (7-5) vs. Purdue (6-6)
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4:30 PM, ESPN, Tuesday, Dec. 27, Detroit, MI
Why Watch: Doesn’t the Pizza Bowl sound tasty? A bit unhealthy maybe, but it’s always exciting when a MAC team gets a shot to take down a Big Ten team, as many of Western’s players may have been passed up by Big Ten schools. The Boilermakers look to win back-to-back games for the first time this season. Tune in to see one of the best passing combo’s in the country in the Bronco’s Alex Carder and Jordan White.
Who to Watch: Western Michigan wideout Jordan White is a once in a decade small school wideout. The sixth-year senior and multiple record setter was named a consensus All-American this season after bringing in 127 catches for 1,646 yards and 16 scores. White will be on display all night in Detroit. For Purdue, watch defensive tackle Kawann Short. The junior has been a lone bright spot for the Boilermakers, racking up 53 tackles, 17 for a loss and 6.5 sacks on the season.
How it’s Going Down: It’s Purdue’s first trip to the postseason since their last visit to Detroit in 2007, in the Motor City Bowl. The Boilermakers then beat Central Michigan 51-48. Western has been the more consistent team this season, averaging better than 35 points a game, although they give up nearly just as much. Purdue quarterback Caleb TerBush has yet to throw for over 200 yards since the opening week of the season, not leaving a whole lot for the Bronco’s to shut down. Having faced two Big Ten teams’ already in Michigan and Illinois, WMU knows the level they’ll have to play at to win. Few know of the No. 8 ranked pass combo heading into this one, but Carder and White should become household names in their final game, and biggest win, of 2011. Pick: Western Michigan 34 – Purdue 26
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