Minnesota redshirt junior defensive back Kiondre Thomas (31) tries to take down Purdue wide receiver Rondale Moore (4) in the team’s Big Ten opener on Sept. 28.  Credit: Courtesy of TNS

Location: West Lafayette, Indiana

2018 record: 6-7

Head coach: Jeff Brohm (third year, 14-15)

2019 record so far: 1-2

Record against Ohio State since 2010: 2-3

What’s happened so far in 2019: 

It has been a shaky season so far for Purdue, which had a bye during Week 4. Purdue led 24-7 at halftime against Nevada in Week 1, but turnovers and 17 second-half points from the Wolfpack led to a 34-31 loss on a last-second 54-yard field goal. The momentum from a 42-24 Week 2 win over Vanderbilt was short-lived when Purdue lost 34-13 to TCU in a game that saw redshirt senior quarterback Elijah Sindelar knocked out with a concussion and the offense held to 204 total yards.

Key offensive player:

Sophomore wide receiver Rondale Moore is currently No. 1 in the Big Ten with 123 receiving yards per game, and has two receiving touchdowns. Moore was the 2018 recipient of the Paul Hornung Award, given to the most versatile player in college football. The accolades do not stop there, as Moore was an AP First Team All-American a season ago as an all-purpose player. His speed and agility are among his best qualities, as he averages 13.7 yards per catch. Moore leads the Big Ten in all-purpose yardage with 179.7 yards per game.

Key defensive player:

Redshirt senior linebacker Ben Holt is currently in his first season with Purdue after transferring from Western Kentucky, and he has taken the Big Ten by storm. He leads the conference in total tackles with 35, and his 21 solo tackles are tied for No. 3 in the conference.

Weaknesses:

Turnovers have been crucial for the Boilermakers, who have committed eight so far through three games. The inability to rush the ball has also weakened their offense. Their 150 total rushing yards rank last in the Big Ten, 258 yards less than the next closest team. Turning the ball over and having to pass the ball has led Purdue to the second-least time of possession in the Big Ten, as they’ve had the ball for just 79 minutes in three games.