Purdue vs Rice Preview

The Boiling Point: A preview of Purdue vs Rice.

Purdue(1-0) at Rice (0-1)
Location: Rice Stadium, Houston, Texas
TV: CBS Sports Network(click here to find channel in your area)- Play-by-play is Dave Ryan and Rich “snake-oil salesman” Rodriguez has the analyst duties.
Radio: 96.5FM in Lafayette area-Tim Newton has play-by-play, Pete Quinn is color commentator, and Kelly Kitchel is on the sideline.
Series Record: Purdue leads the series 2-1 over Rice and the game Saturday is a repay of Rice’s visit in 1998.

Predictions

Scott-This game is going to be very telling in how the rest of Purdue’s season turns out. Rice runs a much more balanced offense than MTSU did last week. Key to this game is going to be the ability to stop the run. Rice returns their leading receiver and rusher from last year in Michigan transfer, RB Sam McGuffie. If Purdue is able to do that and get some more pressure on the quarterback look for a win. Rice gave up over 200 yards rushing to Texas last week so Ralph Bolden could be in for another big day. Purdue 31-Rice 28

Zach: If you asked me my prediction for this game at this time last week, I’d have said Rice 34-Purdue 31. But last week I said if Purdue beat Middle Tennessee State, I’d give Hope a break for a week and be positive about this team, this season, until they lost. Well, you saw what happened last week, so I’ll stick to my word. I’m taking Purdue in a win and hopefully Sam “McGruff The Crime Dog” McGuffie doesn’t “take a bite out of” Purdue’s defense. Purdue 31-Rice 14.

Leroy: Early last week I thought Purdue would walk away with an easy win against Middle Tennessee, but as the week wore on, I changed that thought. I ended up thinking Purdue would win a close one. The same is true here. Purdue’s defense is going to have to show something in this game for the Boilers to leave Texas with a win. If they can’t generate pressure, whether it’s from the front four or blitzes, they could be in trouble. I’m banking on them being able to do that. Caleb TerBush should get the start and play his way into another win to hopefully put the whole 2-QB system to rest. I have the Boilers in another win by the same score this time by a game-winning field goal from all-world kicker Carson Wiggs. Purdue 27, Rice 24.