Lock, Offense Should Dominate Weak Purdue Defense

Missouri scored just a measly field goal against Purdue last year in a 32-point blowout loss, but that won’t be close to the case come Saturday night.

Purdue sits 91st in the country in total defense, with only nine Power Five teams ranked lower in the FBS.

While some of those teams worse than the Boilermakers opposed prolific offenses such as Ohio State (second in total offense), Texas Tech (10th in total offense) and Mississippi State (12th in total offense), Purdue has faced Northwestern (87th in total offense) and Eastern Michigan (55th in total offense) — not exactly your offensive powerhouses.

Missouri ranks 11th in the same category. That doesn’t indicate good things for Purdue.

Quarterbacks in particular have thrived against the Boilermakers thus far — they’ve completed 36 of 54 passes (66.7 percent) for 484 yards and a touchdown. Senior Eastern Michigan quarterback Tyler Wiegers threw for 312 yards, completing 20 of 28 passes (71.4 percent), racking up a touchdown and interception, as well a rating of 169.7. Senior Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson went 16-26 (61.5 percent) for 172 yards and a rating of 117.1.

Purdue’s defense is susceptible to efficient quarterbacks, which Drew Lock has proved he is so far in 2018. Lock ranks ninth in the FBS in completion percentage with an absurd 74.3 percent clip. It’s important to note nobody ahead of Lock has attempted more passes than the Missouri quarterback.

Lock’s eight passing touchdowns rank sixth in the country, while his 687 passing yards puts is the ninth most and 194.4 rating is the 11th best among FBS quarterbacks. He’s clearly one of the nation’s elite gun-slingers, and he’ll be able to showcase his talents in a revenge-game against Purdue.

Expect him to continue his #H3ISMAN case with another efficient 300+ yard performance, including at least three touchdowns.

Lock is going to absolutely dissect Purdue’s defense in a dominant Missouri win.