Can Purdue football trump old coach to snap losing streak at Washington? Our prediction
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WEST LAFAYETTE ― Some Purdue football players will see a familiar face on the opposing sideline Saturday, Nov. 15, at Husky Stadium.
Former Boilermaker head coach Ryan Walters is the defensive coordinator at Washington.
But Purdue’s focus is on its attempt to stop an eight-game losing streak.
It won’t be easy at a raucous venue where the Huskies are 4-1 this season, the lone setback coming to No. 1 Ohio State on Sept. 27.
Purdue has not won a Big Ten road game since Nov. 26, 2022 at Indiana, prior to Walters’ two-year stint as Boilermaker coach.
Purdue football vs. Washington prediction
The Boilermakers have found success against dual threat quarterbacks this season, but Demond Williams is the Big Ten’s best dual threat QB. An improved Purdue defense will have breakdowns regardless, because that’s what Williams does to teams.
Jonah Coleman is one of the Big Ten’s best backs, offering a complementary piece to everything Williams offers. However, Coleman exited last week’s loss at Wisconsin in the first half and didn’t return.
There are similarities in Washington’s defense and what Purdue ran previously with Walters as its head coach. There’s some familiarity from battles in spring football and fall camp that Boiler quarterback Ryan Browne should be accustomed to.
That said, Washington has been able to hang its hat on its defense this season. The Huskies have allowed 25 points or fewer in all nine games this season. For a Purdue offense that has struggled consistently moving the ball, doing so Saturday is a tall task.
Purdue vs Washington scouting report
Williams is the nation’s third-rated passer under pressure by Pro Football Focus, completing 54.4% of his passes. He also leads all Big Ten quarterbacks in rushing yards with 490 despite being sacked 22 times for a loss of 165 yards.
Denzel Boston, another elite receiver, becomes the latest to salivate seeing what players have done against Purdue’s secondary this season. Boston has 8 touchdown receptions among his 52 catches totaling 730 yards.
Washington’s defense, led by safety Alex McLaughlin (68 tackles, 2 interceptions), is averaging better than one takeaway per game and is the only unit to hold Ohio State to less than 34 points aside from Texas in the season opener.
Purdue vs Washington injury updates
Last week against Ohio State, Purdue linebacker Charles Correa was carted off. He returned to practice two days later. Correa and Malachi Thomas both exited that loss to the Buckeyes, but Purdue coach Barry Odom said Monday both are expected to play.
Purdue football vs Washington score prediction
Washington 23, Purdue 14.
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Scouting report, prediction for Purdue football at Washington
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