It wasn’t long ago that Purdue was running roughshod over Minnesota. The two programs are often very similar in that they should be middle of the pack Big Ten teams that occasionally challenge for the conference title. Drew Brees made Glen Mason’s Gophers his personal whipping boy. Joe Tiller had a mastery over Minnesota. Now that we are in the same division, when Purdue and Minnesota play it is one of those games that feels like a tipping point for bowl eligibility.
The gophers have won four straight over Purdue, however. Three years ago Purdue nearly got a breakthrough win for the Hazell era in Minneapolis, but lost 39-38 after a dumb penalty set up a long field goal for the win.