GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Boston College’s A.J. Dillon is averaging 144 rushing yards through the first three games, and while Anthony Brown is very capable of beating teams through the air it’s the ground game that makes the Eagles go. Purdue hasn’t performed well defending the run so far, giving up 168 yards to Missouri’s Larry Roundtree last week and 143 to Northwestern’s Jeremy Larkin in the season opener. If the Boilermakers don’t radically improve here, it’s hard to see a scenario where they can win. But if they can force some turnovers early and David Blough throws the ball like he did last week, Purdue will stand a better chance if it’s not playing from behind again.
DRAFT SLANT
–RB Markell Jones didn’t have much to do on the ground last week, thanks to the Boilermakers falling behind early against Missouri. He did, however, catch four passes, a skill that he’ll have to demonstrate to play at the next level.
ROSTER REPORT:
–QB Elijah Sindelar missed the Missouri game with an undisclosed injury. His availability for the Boston College game will be determined later in the week.
–DB Simeon Smiley played against Missouri after sitting for a week because of a concussion suffered in the season opener. He’s still not 100 percent but should be on the field again this weekend.
–RB Richie Worship remains on the sidelines and it’s unclear when he will be ready to return. He’s recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season.
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